Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) by Aretha Franklin

Album: Let Me In Your Life (1974)

Charted: 26 3

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Songfacts®:

This song was written by Stevie Wonder, Clarence Paul, and Morris Broadnax. Stevie Wonder recorded the original version in 1967, but didn't release it until his 1976 greatest hits collection Anthology.
This is one of those desperate love songs that is borderline stalker. Aretha has decided to beg her man to come back, and she'll do whatever it takes to get his attention. He might be a little freaked out when she taps on his window pane.
Aretha Franklin recorded the song after Stevie Wonder played it for her in 1973. Her version climbed to the top of the R&B chart.
Luther Vandross released this song in 1983 as part of a medley with Superstar. This medley reached #87 US in May 1984.
Cyndi Lauper included this song on her 2003 album At Last.
When this song reached its highest position of #3, Franklin became the first artist to record singles that peaked at each of #s 1-10 on the Hot 100. She obtained the full set six years, nine months and three weeks after her first Top Ten hit "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)." Marvin Gaye became the first male artist to achieve the "occupy-all-10" when "Sexual Healing" reached #3 in 1982.

Comments: 8

Gil from Dublin, GeorgiaAretha's version is excellent, but Bobby Caldwell also does a version on his 1995, Soul Survivor album. It is an incredibly soulful version and pristine musical track behind him. My favorite version of all artists I have heard.
Markantney from BiloxeMay 2015,

1. I love this song, from my early childhood. I've never been able to decide if I like this or "Band of Gold" more, love 'em both though:)

2. Michael, I didn't notice that until you mentioned it:):) but to defend it, a Woman sings it (especially how Aretha did) it sounds like a Woman who's a Helpless Romantic.

A man, sounds like a Psycho Stalker.

Which I've always wondered how Sting got away with "Every breath you Take, Every Move you make,..I'll be Watching You,..."
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 17th 1974, "Until You Come Back To Me" by Aretha Franklin peaked at #3 (for 1 week) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on November 18th, 1973 at position #98 and spent 21 weeks on the Top 100...
And in January 6th, 1974 it reached #1 (for 1 week) on Billboard's R&B singles chart...
In 1983 Luther Vandross covered it; his version peaked at #5 on the R&B Singles chart and #87 on the Top 100...
Ms. Franklin will celebrated her 72nd birthday next month on March 25th (2014).
Steve from Whittier, CaYou know, I'm very CERTAIN ever since I was a teenager when this came out (I just turned 13) that the Queen of Soul says the f-word several times like at the end of the second verse! Very nice song.
Michael from Manchester, NhThe best Aretha song ever! She never got the credit she deserves for this melody
Dean,Manchester, NH
Guy from Woodinville, WaGreat classic song, always sung by women for some reason. I like the piano in Basia's version.
John from Nashville, TnAccording to Gladys Knight, Stevie promised to offer this song to her. However, he changed his mind and gave it to Miss Franklin instead. Gladys then went on to record "Midnight Train To Georgia".
Eugene from Minneapolis, MnBasia and Miki Howard remade this in 1990. Both versions were played on BET. Miki Howard had the most successful one and it hit #3 on the R&B charts. And then Basia's version hit #33 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

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