This was originally written by Sam Cooke as "Yeah Man" and released on Shake, his first posthumous album. Conley and Otis Redding updated it as a tribute to various Soul singers.
>>
Suggestion credit: Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England
Anonymous from NyThis song was really written by Sam Cooke. Conley and Otis Redding plagiarized Cooke's "Yeah Man" and were subsequently sued. I smile every time I hear this song cause they mention a lot of great soul singers but they don't mention the greatest of all time. You know the one they ripped off. ;)
From Wikipedia: "Sam Cooke's business partner, sued both Redding and Conley for plagiarizing the melody. A settlement was reached in which Cooke's name was added to the writer credits, and Otis Redding agreed to record some songs in the future from Kags Music, a Cooke – JW Alexander enterprise."
If you listen to Cooke's "Yeah Man", it is practically the same song. The just changed the words.
Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkOh yes I still have the vinyl album after all these years, I gave the single to one of my cousins decades ago. It was such an upbeat song. I haven't listened to the song in years, but I still recall hearing voices in the background like it might've been the record producer or engineer or someone at the studio. Can't really tell what they're saying. Anyone know? I think Otis Redding was the producer so it might've been Otis' voice. The drums on this song are absolutely riveting!! Sacre bleu !!
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 5th 1967, "Sweet Soul Music" by Arthur Conley entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #81; and on May 7th it peaked at #2 (for 1 week) and spent 15 weeks on the Top 100 (and for 7 of those 15 weeks it was on the Top 10)... It also reached #2 (for 1 week) on Billboard's R&B Singles chart... The week that it was at #2 on the Top 100 and the R&B Singles chart, the #1 record was "The Happening" by the Supremes on both those charts... R.I.P. Mr. Conley (1946 - 2003).
Stella from Ham Lake, MnOtis Redding is the only one mentioned twice in the song.
Jay from Brooklyn, NyThis is not my own observation - I read it elsewhere - but it is interesting. In 2006, three people mentioned in this song died: Low Rawles, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown. Otis Redding died in 1967, and Dave Prater in 1988. This leaves Sam Moore the last living person sung about by Arthur Conley.
Don from Newmarket, CanadaAlso produced by Otis. A great track!
Lynne from Baltimore, MdThis song was written by Otis Redding. Arthur Conley grew up in Aberdeen, Maryland and was an entertainer at a friends "beer joint" on weekends. I was privileged to know this great singer.
