Sooner or Later by The Grass Roots

Album: Their 16 Greatest Hits (1971)

Charted: 9

Get the Sheet Music License This Song

This was written by Gary Zekley, Mitchell Bottler, brothers Adenyi Jacob and Ekundayo Paris, and Ted McNamara. Zekley and Bottler also wrote the Grass Roots' previous hit "(I'd) Wait a Million Years" among others. It was the Grass Roots' first Top 10 hit since their hit "Midnight Confessions," which was released three years before.
In the tale of this song, a man is trying to win the heart of a girl who does not want to love him (she's allegedly afraid because of past experiences); he tells her that she will succumb to him sooner or later.
Keyboardist Dennis Provisor is given a chance to stand out in this song. After the key signature changes, Provisor makes a soulful improvise while the other members sing the verse. >>
Suggestion credit:
Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 3

Please sign in or register to post comments.

Comments: 7

Randy from TexasI just love the live version of Sooner or Later on you tube. In the video a lady in a black and white dress sings back up. But she may have been pulled from the audience to come up on the stage and sing. If you are familiar with the video you will know what I mean. She is just great and love to watch her. Does anyone know who she is or where this video was performed? Fantastic Hit!
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 4th 1971, the Grass Roots performed "Sooner or Later” on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
Just over three months earlier on May 30th, 1971 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #77; and on July 25th, 1971 it peaked at #9 {for 1 week} and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
On the same 'Bandstand' show the group also performed "Two Divided By Love"; and it too also stayed on the Top 100 for 11 weeks; peaking at #16 {for 2 weeks} on November 21st, 1971.,.
Between 1966 and 1975 the Los Angeles-based quartet had twenty-one Top 100 records; with three made the Top 10 with "Midnight Confessions" being their biggest hit, it peaked at #5 {for 1 week} on October 27th, 1968...
Bassist and lead singer Robert 'Rob' Grill passed away on July 11th, 2011 at the age of 67...
May he R.I.P.
Camille from Toronto, OhThe Grass Roots had some excellent hits that stand the test of time. This is just one of them. Agree with the comments that it's a catchy song and
fun to sing along to.
B.l. from Barry, TxMy second favorite Roots song behind "Glory Bound."
Rick from Belfast, MeThis song was danced to by the winning couple on American Bandstand the year it came out.....I used to have the Grass Roots Greatest Hits "album".....a "must" have for the serious rock and roll collectors.....is what made the 70's so great!!!!!!!
Wayne from Salem, VaI was 11 years old when this song came out. Heard it on the radio for the first time. I liked it then,and still like it now. The Grass Roots had quite a few pop/rock songs that were hits. "Sooner Or Later" was one of them. Like most songs from your youth,they retain fond memories. And I have alot of fond memories with this song. It is a very catchy song. And I still love to sing along with it.
Abel from Garden City, KsThis is an awesome song. The song shows that Breaking Benjamin in underated.

see more comments

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.