Initially, Perry and Johnson had written a song for a female singer called "Stick-Up", but the two decided that the song was not substantial enough so they re-wrote it with a change in chord progressions and new lyrics. [3] With the catchy opening line of "Wanted, young man, single and free," "Want Ads" was born.
The idea for the song started when studio engineer Barney Perkins, while looking through the classified section of a newspaper, suggested that someone write a song about want ads. Perry, as producer and songwriter for the project, felt that the idea might work. The duo brought in Johnson, leader of Chairmen of the Board, to contribute to the writing, after co-writing "Somebody's Been Sleeping (In My Bed)" (a No.8 hit) with Perry for the Hot Wax group, 100 Proof (Aged in Soul).
The song was first recorded by another Hot Wax/Invictus act, Glass House (the group responsible for the top 10 R&B single "Crumbs Off the Table") led by Freda Payne's younger sister, Scherrie Payne. Payne did not like the song and with Perry being equally unsatisfied with that version, she and Freda recorded the song themselves. Still unsatisfied, Payne later suggested that Honey Cone lead singer Edna Wright record it after she had passed through the studio. [4] The initial version of the song, titled "Stick Up," eventually was recorded and released as the group's follow up to "Want Ads." It peaked at No.11 on the pop charts in August and No.1 on the R&B charts in September.
The track was recorded by Ullanda McCullough and made into a disco song for her 1979 album "Love Zone" and by Taylor Dayne in 1988 for her hugely successful debut album Tell It to My Heart . Later, it was used as a sample in "Heaven," Mary Mary's 2005 lead-off single from their self-titled third studio album. The single made history breaking and setting records when it remained at No.1 for nine consecutive weeks on the Billboard Gospel Radio chart back in 2005. Edna Wright also makes a brief cameo appearance at the end of the music video singing along to the chorus and lip-synching to her own sampled vocals. The song is featured in the 2007 film Because I Said So.
2016 saw Want Ads sampled on The Avalanches' track Because I'm Me from the album Wildflower.
Scherrie Ann Payne is an American singer. Payne is best known as a member and the final lead singer of the R&B/Soul vocal group the Supremes from 1973 until 1977. Payne is the younger sister of singer Freda Payne. Payne continues to perform, both as a solo act and as a part of the "Former Ladies of the Supremes" (FLOS).
A Taste of Honey is an American recording act, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1972 by associates Janice-Marie Johnson and Perry Kibble. In 1978, they had one of the best known chart-toppers of the disco era, "Boogie Oogie Oogie". After their popularity waned during the 1980s, Johnson went on to record as a solo artist and released the album One Taste of Honey. In 2004, Janice–Marie Johnson and Hazel Payne reunited to perform on the PBS specials Get Down Tonight: The Disco Explosion and My Music: Funky Soul Superstars. In 2022, A Taste of Honey featuring Janice-Marie kicked off the celebration of 50 years of impact in the music and entertainment industries. A Taste of Honey now consists of Janice-Marie Johnson and other accomplished musicians.
Velma Jean Terrell is an American R&B and jazz singer. She replaced Diana Ross as the lead singer of The Supremes in 1970.
"You've Got a Friend" is a 1971 song 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 by James Taylor appears on 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.
Hot Wax Records was a Detroit, Michigan-based record label, created by producers/songwriters Holland–Dozier–Holland in 1968 when they left Motown.
Honey Cone was an American R&B and soul girl group formed by lead singer Edna Wright with Carolyn Willis and Shelly Clark in 1968. They are known for their number-one Billboard Hot 100 single, "Want Ads". Honey Cone were the premier female group for Hot Wax Records, operated by Holland–Dozier–Holland after they had departed from Motown Records.
"Band of Gold" is a song written and composed by former Motown producers Holland–Dozier–Holland and Ron Dunbar. It was a major hit when first recorded by Freda Payne in 1970 for the Invictus label, owned by H-D-H. The song has been recorded by numerous artists, notably competing 1986 versions by contrasting pop singers Belinda Carlisle and Bonnie Tyler, and a 2007 version by Kimberley Locke.
Soulful Tapestry is the third studio album by girl group Honey Cone. It was released by Hot Wax/Invictus Records in 1971.
Sweet Replies is the second studio album by American R&B/Soul/Funk Girl group the Honey Cone. It was released by Hot Wax/Invictus Records in 1971.
The Ikettes, originally The Artettes, were a trio of female backing vocalists for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Despite their origins, the Ikettes became successful artists in their own right. In the 1960s they had hits such as "I'm Blue " and "Peaches 'N' Cream". In 2017, Billboard ranked "I'm Blue " No. 63 on its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.
"Just One Look" is a song co-written by American R&B singers Doris Troy and Gregory Carroll. The recording by Doris Troy was a hit in 1963. The Hollies, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt and Iain Matthews each achieved great success with the song. There have also been many other versions.
Love, Peace & Soul is the fourth and final studio album by American R&B/Soul/Funk Girl group the Honey Cone. It was released by Hot Wax/Invictus Records in 1972.
"One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" is the title of several different songs, mostly in the R&B genre, deriving from a common African-American phrase with the general meaning of "one setback should not impede progress". The first known recording with this title was by Stick McGhee and His Buddies in 1950. Commercially successful songs with this title were recorded by Joe Tex (1965), Honey Cone (1971) and Little David Wilkins (1975).
"Stick-Up" is Honey Cone's 1971 follow up single to the No.1 pop and R&B hit "Want Ads". It was No.1 on the R&B chart for three weeks; on the Hot 100, it peaked at No.11.
Contact is Freda Payne's fourth American released album and her second for Invictus Records. The majority of the material on this album contains sad themes, with the exception of "You Brought the Joy." The album begins with a dramatic 11-minute medley of "I'm Not Getting Any Better" and "Suddenly It's Yesterday," both of which were written by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. Some people thought that Holland and Dozier were trying to compete with Diana Ross's hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" as both songs contain spoken segments and dramatic musical arrangements. The only cover song is "He's in My Life", which was an album track by The Glass House featuring Freda's sister Scherrie Payne. It was written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, jointly with Ron Dunbar.
"You're My Driving Wheel" is a dance/disco song by The Supremes. The song was released on September 30, 1976 as the first single from their album Mary, Scherrie & Susaye. Along with the tracks, "Let Yourself Go" and "Love I Never Knew", "You're My Driving Wheel" peaked at number five on the disco chart. On the Soul chart, the single peaked at number fifty and number eighty-five on the Hot 100.
Sylvester Rivers is an American composer, arranger, pianist and producer, based in Los Angeles, California. A prolific session musician, he has recorded with numerous major artists including Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Kenny Rogers, Village People, Deniece Williams, Ray Parker Jr., Marc Bolan, Shalamar, New Edition, Billy Preston, The Sylvers, Earl Klugh, Maxine Nightingale, Gloria Gaynor, The 5th Dimension and many others. He arranged many chart hits including the Number 1 Billboard Hot Soul Single, Candi Staton's, "Young Hearts Run Free."
Greg Perry was a singer, songwriter and record producer. He worked with artists such as Freda Payne. He wrote and produced many hits for soul artists in the 1970s. He was also the brother of singer Jeff Perry and was married to Edna Wright, who sang in the group Honey Cone.
Edna Wright was an American singer, best known as the lead singer of Honey Cone, the girl group that went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song "Want Ads" in 1971. She was the younger sister of singer Darlene Love. Wright sang backup for various artists, including the Righteous Brothers, Ray Charles, and Cher.
Shelly Clark is an American singer, dancer and actress, best known as a founding member of the 1970s R&B girls group, Honey Cone who had the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit single, "Want Ads" released in March 1971.
