Groovy Situation

Last updated
"Groovy Situation"
Groovy Situation - Gene Chandler.jpg
Single by Gene Chandler
from the album The Gene Chandler Situation
B-side "Not the Marrying Kind"
ReleasedJuly 1970 (1970)
Genre Rhythm and blues
Length3:12
Label Mercury
Songwriter(s)
  • Russell Lewis
  • Herman Davis
Producer(s) Gene Chandler
Gene Chandler singles chronology
"From the Teacher to the Preacher"
(1968)
"Groovy Situation"
(1970)
"Simply Call It Love"
(1970)

"Groovy Situation" is a 1969 song written by Russell Lewis and Herman Davis [1] and first recorded by Mel and Tim. The song was included on the duo's 1969 LP, Good Guys Only Win In The Movies, produced by Gene Chandler. [2] Chandler then recorded the song himself and his single went to #12 on the Billboard pop chart and #8 on the R&B chart in 1970.

Contents

Gene Chandler recording

"Groovy Situation" was a hit single when recorded by Gene Chandler on Mercury Records in 1970, in a version produced by Chandler and arranged by Tom Washington. It was Chandler's second-biggest chart hit single, his biggest being the million-selling #1, "Duke of Earl", in 1962. It was taken from his album, The Gene Chandler Situation. This version is noted for the instrumental quoting, by muted trumpets, of the first eight notes of the song "A Tisket, A Tasket" heard during the introduction as well as in the coda section, before the repeated chorus takes place before the song's fade. Chandler's version is also noted for the repeated phrase: "Can You Dig It", heard in the introductions of the two verses. The song also features a bass line played by jazz musician Richard Evans.

The success of this, and other records Chandler wrote, recorded and produced that year earned him The National Association of Television and Radio Announcers Producer of the Year Award in 1970, against other nominees that included Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Norman Whitfield.

Chart performance

Chandler's single reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a Top 10 hit, Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart, peaking at #8. [3] It was also an RIAA Certified Million-Seller, the Gold Record being awarded in November 1970.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Heard It Through the Grapevine</span> 1966 song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966. The first recording of the song to be released was produced by Whitfield for Gladys Knight & the Pips and released as a single in September 1967. It went to number one on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and number two on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and shortly became the biggest selling Motown single up to that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday We'll Be Together</span> 1969 single by Diana Ross and the Supremes

"Someday We'll Be Together" is a song written by Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers, and Harvey Fuqua. It was the last of twelve American number-one pop singles for Diana Ross & the Supremes on the Motown label. Although it was released as the final Supremes song featuring Diana Ross, who left the group for a solo career in January 1970, it was recorded as Ross' first solo single and Supremes members Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong do not sing on the recording. Both appear on the B-side, "He's My Sunny Boy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Chandler</span> American musician

Gene Chandler is an American singer, songwriter, music producer, and record-label executive. Chandler is nicknamed "the Duke of Earl" or, simply, "the Duke." He is best known for his most successful songs, "Duke of Earl" and "Groovy Situation", and his association with the Dukays, the Impressions, and Curtis Mayfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Want Me</span> 1981 single by the Human League

"Don't You Want Me" is a song by British synth-pop group the Human League. It was released on 27 November 1981 as the fourth single from their third studio album, Dare (1981). The band's best known and most commercially successful song, it was the best selling UK single of 1981, that year's Christmas number one, and has since sold over 1,560,000 copies in the UK, making it the 23rd-most successful single in UK Singles Chart history. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 3 July 1982, where it stayed for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hush (Billy Joe Royal song)</span> 1967 single by Billy Joe Royal

"Hush" is a song written by American composer and musician Joe South, for recording artist Billy Joe Royal. The song was later covered by Somebody's Image in 1967. It reached #15. It was also covered by Deep Purple in 1968 and by Kula Shaker in 1997. Each artist had a Top 5 hit with their version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)</span> 1965 single by the Four Tops

"I Can't Help Myself" is a 1965 song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be There (Jackson 5 song)</span> 1970 single by The Jackson 5

"I'll Be There" is the first single released from Third Album by The Jackson 5. It was written by Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Bob West, and Willie Hutch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Busy Thinking About My Baby</span> 1969 single by Marvin Gaye

"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" is a Motown song written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Janie Bradford. The song was first recorded by The Temptations as a track on their 1966 album Gettin' Ready. Eddie Kendricks sings lead on the recording, which was produced by Whitfield. Jimmy Ruffin also recorded a version with The Temptations providing background vocals in 1966. It remained unreleased until 1997.

"That's the Way Love Is" is a 1967 Tamla (Motown) single recorded by The Isley Brothers and produced by Norman Whitfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Acklin</span> American singer-songwriter (1943–1998)

Barbara Jean Acklin was an American soul singer and songwriter, who was most successful in the 1960s and 1970s. Her biggest hit as a singer was "Love Makes a Woman" (1968). As a songwriter, she is best known for co-writing the multi-million-selling "Have You Seen Her" (1971) with Eugene Record, lead singer of the Chi-Lites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight You Belong to Me</span> 1926 song by Gene Austin

"Tonight You Belong to Me" is an American popular song, written in 1926 by lyricist Billy Rose and composer Lee David. The first ever recording was made by Irving Kaufman in 1926 on Banner Records. In 1927 Gene Austin recorded it and the song became a major hit. Another popular recording during this time was by Roger Wolfe Kahn and his Orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harpers Bizarre</span> American sunshine pop band

Harpers Bizarre was an American sunshine pop band of the 1960s, best known for their Broadway/sunshine pop sound and their cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song ."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hello Mary Lou</span> 1961 single by Ricky Nelson

"Hello Mary Lou" is a song written by American singer Gene Pitney first recorded by Johnny Duncan in 1960 and by Ricky Nelson at United Western Recorders Studios on March 22, 1961.

"Heartaches by the Number" is a popular country song written by Harlan Howard, and published in 1959. The sheet music was a best seller in both the US and Britain in January 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Prayer</span> 1956 single by the Platters

"My Prayer" is a 1939 popular song with music by salon violinist Georges Boulanger and lyrics by Carlos Gomez Barrera and Jimmy Kennedy. It was originally written by Boulanger with the title Avant de mourir 1926. The lyrics for this version were added by Kennedy in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss and Say Goodbye</span> 1976 single by The Manhattans

"Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a 1976 song by American R&B vocal group The Manhattans. It was written by group member Winfred Lovett, the bass singer and songwriter of the group, who did the song's spoken introduction. The song was recorded for the album The Manhattans, released in 1976 by Columbia Records, and was released as a single in March of the same year. "Kiss and Say Goodbye" became a worldwide success, appearing in the musical charts of countless countries, a Top 10 hit in many countries, including No. 1 in the US, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, and in Europe (European Hot 100 Singles). With the exception of Adult Contemporary Chart, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" was ranked number 1 in US on all Pop Singles Charts and on all R&B Singles Charts. The song was one of the biggest hits of 1976 and of the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hitchin' a Ride (Vanity Fare song)</span> 1969 single by Vanity Fare

"Hitchin' a Ride" is a song written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander issued as a single by the English pop/rock band Vanity Fare in late 1969. It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1970 but was a bigger hit in the United States, reaching number 5 on the Hot 100 on June 27, 1970. Billboard ranked the record as the number 14 song of 1970. In Chicago, the record achieved even greater heights, topping the WCFL Big 10 Countdown on 18–25 May 1970, ranking #4 for all of 1970 and ranking #12 on rival WLS Radio 89 Hit Parade on 6 July 1970, ranking #10 for all of 1970. "Hitchin' a Ride" sold a million copies in the United States alone, and it became a gold record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Still Water (Love)</span> 1970 single by The Four Tops

"Still Water (Love)" is a 1970 hit single written by Smokey Robinson and Frank Wilson for the Motown singing group Four Tops. The B-side was "Still Water (Peace)" and both songs appear on the 1970 album Still Waters Run Deep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Until It's Time for You to Go</span> 1965 song by Buffy Sainte-Marie

"Until It's Time for You to Go" is a song from the 1965 album Many a Mile by American singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie. Sainte-Marie included a French-language reworking of the song, "T'es pas un autre", on her 1967 album Fire & Fleet & Candlelight. French translation was made by Quebecer songwriter Claude Gauthier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head</span> 1969 song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David

"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The uplifting lyrics describe somebody who overcomes his troubles and worries by realizing that "it won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me."

References

  1. "secondhandsongs.com". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  2. "discogs.com". discogs.com. 1969. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 110.