"La-La (Means I Love You)" | ||||
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Single by the Delfonics | ||||
from the album La La Means I Love You | ||||
B-side | "Can't Get Over Losing You" | |||
Released | December, 1967 (US) January 26, 1968 (UK, elsewhere) | |||
Recorded | 1967 | |||
Genre | Philadelphia soul [1] [2] | |||
Length | 3:21 | |||
Label | Philly Groove | |||
Songwriter(s) | Thom Bell, William Hart | |||
Producer(s) | Thom Bell, Stan Watson | |||
The Delfonics singles chronology | ||||
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"La-La (Means I Love You)" is an R&B/soul song by American vocal group the Delfonics. Released originally in December, 1967 by Philly Groove Records, the song was written by Thom Bell and William Hart, and produced by Bell and Stan Watson.
The song was a number four U.S. Billboard pop, number two R&B hit in 1968. A 1971 re-release peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is one of the Delfonics' most enduring recordings and perhaps their best loved, noting a number of cover versions.
Chart (1968) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100 [3] | 4 |
US Billboard Hot Rhythm and Blues Singles [4] | 2 |
Chart (1971) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles (OCC) [5] | 19 |
The Delfonics were an American R&B/soul vocal group from Philadelphia. The Delfonics were most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their most notable hits include "La-La ", "Didn't I ", "Break Your Promise", "I'm Sorry", and "Ready or Not Here I Come ". Their hit songs were primarily written by lead vocalist and founding member William "Poogie" Hart, and arranger and producer Thom Bell. Wilbert Hart is the last surviving founding member.
Thomas Randolph Bell was an American record producer, arranger, and songwriter known as one of the creators of Philadelphia soul in the 1970s. Hailed as one of the most prolific R&B songwriters and producers ever, Bell found success crafting songs for Delfonics, Stylistics, and Spinners. In June 2006, Bell was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2016, Bell was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
"Teach Me Tonight" is a popular song that has become a jazz standard. The music was written by Gene De Paul, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was published in 1953.
"Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" is a song by American soul group the Delfonics, co-written by producer Thom Bell and lead singer William Hart. It was released as a single in 1969 on the Philly Groove record label and appeared on their self-titled third album the following year. The song reached number three on the Billboard R&B chart and number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. Overseas, the song peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in and number 81 in Australia. The Delfonics won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for the song in 1971.
"Sea of Love" is a song written by John Philip Baptiste and George Khoury. It was the only top-40 chart-maker for Phillips, who never recorded another hit.
"Moonshadow" is a song written and performed by Cat Stevens, first released as a single in the UK in 1970 on the Island label and in the US in 1971 on the A&M label. It also appears on Stevens' 1971 album Teaser and the Firecat.
"Sideshow" is a song recorded by American R&B soul vocal quintet Blue Magic, released in 1974. It was first released on the album Blue Magic and when issued as a single it sold over a million copies, going to No.1 R&B in April 1974 and No.8 pop in the United States in that summer. Billboard ranked it as the No.19 song for 1974. In the Canadian Year-end chart, it was No.77.
"Raise Your Hand" is a song written by Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, and Alvertis Isbell. It was recorded by Floyd and appeared on his 1967 debut album Knock on Wood. It was released as a single that year, where it reached #16 on the Black Singles Chart and #79 on the Pop Singles Chart.
"You" is a 1967 single released by American singer Marvin Gaye on the Tamla label.
"The Bells" is a 1970 single recorded by The Originals for Motown's Soul label, produced by Marvin Gaye and co-written by Gaye, his wife Anna Gordy Gaye, Iris Gordy, and Elgie Stover.
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"Put Yourself in My Place" is a song written by the Motown team of Holland–Dozier–Holland and recorded by at least four Motown recording acts during the sixties: The Elgins in 1965, The Supremes, Chris Clark and The Isley Brothers in 1966.
"Share Your Love with Me" is a song written by Alfred Braggs and Deadric Malone. It was originally recorded by blues singer Bobby "Blue" Bland. Over the years, the song has been covered by various artists, most notably Aretha Franklin who won a Grammy Award for her 1969 rendition. Other artists who covered the song include The Band in 1973, Kenny Rogers in 1981, and most recently, Van Morrison in 2016.
"Love Won't Let Me Wait" is a hit 1975 single by Major Harris, a former member of R&B/soul group The Delfonics. Written by Vinnie Barrett and Bobby Eli, the single is considered to be a staple of classic soul playlists, and was Harris' only entry into the top five on both the soul and pop charts. The single hit number five on the pop chart, and also hit number one on the soul chart for one week. Billboard ranked it as the No. 24 song for 1975. It was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. on 25 June 1975.
"Stroke You Up" is a song by American R&B duo Changing Faces that was recorded for their eponymous debut album (1994). The song was released as the album's debut single on July 14, 1994. It was certified platinum by the RIAA and sold 700,000 copies domestically. It features uncredited vocals from R. Kelly. A remix version also written and produced by Kelly, which originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 1994 Keenen Ivory Wayans film A Low Down Dirty Shame.
Wilbert "Wil" Hart is an American soul singer, songwriter, and producer, best known as a founding and last surviving member of the musical group the Delfonics.
I'm Coming Home is an album by American pop singer Johnny Mathis that was released on September 21, 1973, by Columbia Records and was mainly composed of material written by the songwriting team of its producer, Thom Bell, and Linda Creed. Unlike several of the Mathis albums before it, I'm Coming Home relied primarily on new songs and included only two covers of established chart hits, both of which were by The Stylistics.
"Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me" is a song and single by American group, Gladys Knight & the Pips written by Barrett Strong, Cornelius Grant and Rodger Penzabene. It was produced by Norman Whitfield.
"Soul Deep" is a song originally recorded by Robbie Lane and the Disciples in 1966, but best known by a recorded version by The Box Tops. It was the third of three singles released from their 1969 Dimensions LP. Lead vocals were provided by Alex Chilton.