A Song for You

Last updated

"A Song for You"
Song by Leon Russell
from the album Leon Russell
ReleasedMay 1970
Genre Blue-eyed soul
Length4:08
Label Shelter Records(US)
A&M Records(UK)
Songwriter(s) Leon Russell
Producer(s) Leon Russell
"A Song for You"
Single by Andy Williams
from the album You've Got a Friend
B-side "You've Got a Friend"
Released August 1971
Genre Blue-eyed soul
Length3:12
Label Columbia 45434
Songwriter(s) Leon Russell
Producer(s) Dick Glasser
Andy Williams singles chronology
"(Where Do I Begin) Love Story"
(1971)		"A Song for You"
(1971)		"Love Is All"
(1971)

"A Song for You" is a song written and originally recorded by rock singer and pianist Leon Russell for his first solo album Leon Russell , which was released in 1970 on Shelter Records. A slow, pained plea for forgiveness and understanding from an estranged lover, the tune is one of Russell's best-known compositions. Russell sang, played piano, and played tenor horn on the recording. It has been performed and recorded by over 200 artists, spanning many musical genres.The Encyclopedia of Country Music, 2012: "In 1970 Russell released his self-titled debut solo album, including such enduring songs as 'Delta Lady' and 'A Song for You,' both written for versatile vocalist Rita Coolidge.

Contents

One of the first versions of the song that brought it broader attention was by Andy Williams, whose single peaked at number 29 on the adult contemporary chart and number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. [1] Ray Charles recorded a version that earned him the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Other notable versions were recorded by the Carpenters in 1972 and Herbie Hancock in 2005.

On January 17, 2018, "A Song for You" was added to Grammy Hall of Fame. [2] [3]

Notable cover versions

"A Song for You" has been covered many times since its release. The most notable versions include the following:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roberta Flack</span> American singer (born 1937)

Roberta Cleopatra Flack is a retired American singer who topped the Billboard charts with the No. 1 singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song", "Feel Like Makin' Love", "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You", the latter two duets with Donny Hathaway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donny Hathaway</span> American singer-songwriter (1945–1979)

Donny Edward Hathaway was an American soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter, backing vocalist, and arranger who Rolling Stone described as a "soul legend". His most popular songs include "The Ghetto", "This Christmas", "Someday We'll All Be Free", and "Little Ghetto Boy". Hathaway is also renowned for his renditions of "A Song for You", "For All We Know", and "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know", along with "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You", two of many collaborations with Roberta Flack. He has been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame and won one Grammy Award from four nominations. Hathaway was also posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Dutch director David Kleijwegt made a documentary called Mister Soul – A Story About Donny Hathaway, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam on January 28, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leon Russell</span> American singer-songwriter (1942–2016)

Leon Russell was an American musician and songwriter who was involved with numerous bestselling records during his 60-year career that spanned multiple genres, including rock and roll, country, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm and blues, southern rock, blues rock, folk, surf and the Tulsa sound. His recordings earned six gold records and he received two Grammy Awards from seven nominations. In 2011, he was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You've Got a Friend</span> 1971 single by Carole King

"You've Got a Friend" is a 1971 song written by American singer-songwriter Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included on her second studio album, Tapestry (1971). Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK Singles Chart. The two versions were recorded simultaneously in 1971 with shared musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lalah Hathaway</span> American singer from Illinois

Eulaulah Donyll "Lalah" Hathaway is an American singer. In 1990 Hathaway released her first album titled Lalah Hathaway. After releasing another album, titled A Moment (1994), it debuted at number 34 on the Top R&B albums chart. In 1999 she collaborated with Joe Sample on the album The Song Lives On. After a five-year hiatus, she returned with her fourth album, Outrun the Sky (2004). The single "Forever, For Always, For Love" peaked at number 1 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay.

"Pero Me Acuerdo de Ti" is a song written and produced by Rudy Pérez. It was first recorded by Puerto Rican singer Lourdes Robles on her album Definitivamente (1991). In the ballad, the singer remembers her lover even when she tries to forget. Nine years later, American recording artist Christina Aguilera included a cover version on her second studio album Mi Reflejo which Pérez also produced. It was released as the second single from the album in December 2000. The music video for Aguilera's version was directed by Kevin Bray.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Christmas (Donny Hathaway song)</span> 1970 single by Donny Hathaway

"This Christmas" is a song by American soul musician Donny Hathaway released in 1970 by Atco Records. The song gained renewed popularity when it was included in 1991 on Atco Records' revised edition of their 1968 Soul Christmas compilation album and has since become a modern Christmas standard, with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers reporting that it was the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time.

"If I Were a Carpenter" is a folk song written by Tim Hardin in the 1960s, and re-recorded with commercial success by various artists including Bobby Darin, The Four Tops and Johnny Cash. Hardin's own recording of the piece appeared on his 1967 album Tim Hardin 2. It was one of two songs from that release performed by Hardin at Woodstock in 1969. The song, believed by some to be about male romantic insecurity, is rumored to have been inspired by his love for actress Susan Morss, as well as the construction of Hardin's recording studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Help Me Make It Through the Night</span> 1970 country song by Kris Kristofferson

"Help Me Make It Through the Night" is a country music ballad written and composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album Kristofferson. It was covered later in 1970 by Sammi Smith, on the album Help Me Make It Through the Night. It has been covered since by many other artists from Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash to Elvis Presley and Joan Baez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Be Where You Are</span> 1972 single by Michael Jackson

"I Wanna Be Where You Are" is a song written by Arthur "T-Boy" Ross and Leon Ware for Michael Jackson, who took the song to number 7 in Cash Box and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. It also reached number 2 on the Billboard R&B singles chart in 1972.

"Superstar" is a 1969 song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, that has been a hit for many artists in different genres in the years since. The best-known versions are by the Carpenters in 1971, and by Luther Vandross in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain</span> 1975 single by Willie Nelson

"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" is a song written by songwriter Fred Rose. First recorded by Elton Britt in 1946, then made more popular by Roy Acuff in 1947, the song has been covered by many artists, including Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Russell, Charley Pride, and Elvis Presley. Most notably, the song was recorded by Willie Nelson as part of his 1975 album Red Headed Stranger. Both the song and album revived Nelson's success as a singer and recording artist.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" is a 1929 stride jazz/early swing song. Andy Razaf wrote the lyrics to a score by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks for the Broadway musical comedy play Connie's Hot Chocolates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Masquerade</span> 1976 single by George Benson

"This Masquerade" is a song written by American singer and musician Leon Russell. It was originally recorded in 1972 by Russell for his album Carney and as a B-side for the album's hit single "Tight Rope". The song was then covered on Helen Reddy's 1972 album, I Am Woman. It was then recorded by American vocal duo, the Carpenters, for their 1973 album Now & Then and as the B-side of the Carpenters's single "Please Mr. Postman". Three years later, "This Masquerade" was recorded by American singer and guitarist George Benson, who released it on his 1976 album, Breezin'. Benson's version, featuring Jorge Dalto on piano, was released as a single and became the first big hit of his career.

"Someday We'll All Be Free" is a 1973 song by Donny Hathaway from the album Extension of a Man. The song was released as the flipside to the single "Love, Love, Love." Though the song was only released as an uncharted A-side, it is considered an R&B standard, having been covered by many artists over the years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Closer I Get to You</span> 1978 romantic ballad by Donnie Hathaway and Roberta Flack

"The Closer I Get to You" is a romantic ballad performed by singer-songwriter Roberta Flack and soul musician Donny Hathaway. The song was written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, two former members of Miles Davis's band, who were members of Flack's band at the time. Produced by Atlantic Records, the song was released on Flack's 1977 album Blue Lights in the Basement, and as a single in 1978. It became a major crossover hit, becoming Flack's biggest commercial hit after her success with her 1973 solo single, "Killing Me Softly with His Song". Originally set as a solo single, Flack's manager, David Franklin, suggested a duet with Hathaway, which resulted in the finished work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Is the Love (Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway song)</span> 1972 single by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway

"Where Is the Love" is a popular song written by Ralph MacDonald and William Salter, and recorded by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Released in 1972 from their album, Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and spent a week each at number one on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and R&B chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 58 song for 1972. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Day Dreaming (Aretha Franklin song)</span> 1972 single by Aretha Franklin

"Day Dreaming" is a soul single by American singer Aretha Franklin. Released from her album Young, Gifted and Black, it spent two weeks at the top of the Hot Soul Singles chart in April 1972 and peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the Easy Listening singles chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 61 song for 1972.

"After the Fire Is Gone" is a song written by L. E. White, and recorded by American country music artists Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty as a duet. It was released in January 1971 as the only single from the LP We Only Make Believe. "After the Fire Is Gone" was the first number one on the U.S. country chart for Lynn and Twitty as a duo. It spent two weeks at number one and a total of 14 weeks on the chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, the single peaked at number 56. It also won a Grammy for Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

<i>Carpenters</i> (album) 1971 studio album by The Carpenters

Carpenters is the third studio album by American music duo the Carpenters. Released on May 14, 1971, it was their most successful studio album, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart and number 12 in the UK, as well as being certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA. The album contained the hit songs "For All We Know", "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Superstar".

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard Singles". All Media Guide / Billboard . Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  2. ↑ Nathan Poppe, "Leon Russell's 'A Song For You' added to Grammy Hall Of Fame", The Oklahoman, January 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ World, Jimmie Tramel Tulsa (January 18, 2018). "Pop culture: Leon Russell song selected for Grammy Hall of Fame". Tulsa World. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Andy Williams". Billboard .
  5. ↑ "Andy Williams". Billboard .
  6. ↑ Wexler, Jerry (April 22, 1971). "Advertisement". Jet . Vol. 40, no. 4. pp. 34–35. ISSN   0021-5996.
  7. ↑ Lordi, Emily J. (2016). Donny Hathaway Live. Bloomsbury. pp. 10–11. ISBN   9781628929812.
  8. ↑ Wilson, Charlie (2015). I Am Charlie Wilson. Simon and Schuster. p. 193. ISBN   9781476790077.
  9. ↑ Perone, James E. (2018). Listen to Pop! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC-CLIO. p. 67. ISBN   9781440863776.
  10. ↑ The Carpenters (February 3, 2013). "A Song for You Live". YouTube: Beverwyk. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Bob Hope TV Special on NBC: 10/05/72". Rewatch Classic TV. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  12. ↑ Schmidt, Randy (2012). Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter. Omnibus Press. p. 118. ISBN   9780857127693.
  13. ↑ Perone, James E. (2012). The Album. ABC-CLIO. p. 302. ISBN   9780313379062.
  14. ↑ Thomson, Graeme (2012). Willie Nelson: The Outlaw. Random House. p. 468. ISBN   9781448133413.
  15. ↑ "Chart History: Christina Aguilera", Billboard.
  16. ↑ "Billboard Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Chart History: Bizzy Bone", Billboard.
  18. ↑ Knox, Teresa (March 14, 2018). "6 Things You Might Not Know About Leon Russell's "A Song For You" - The Church Studio". thechurchstudio.com/.
  19. ↑ "Listen: Amy Winehouse Weeps Through Final Cover "A Song for You" - Cover Me".
  20. ↑ "Suzanne Somers was shown singing at her own memorial".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.