Betcha by Golly, Wow

Last updated
"Betcha by Golly, Wow"
Betcha by golly wow by stylistics US vinyl.png
One of side-A labels of the US single
Single by the Stylistics
from the album The Stylistics
B-side "Ebony Eyes"
ReleasedFebruary 17, 1972
Genre R&B [1]
Length
  • 3:48(album version)
  • 3:17 (single edit)
Label Avco
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Thom Bell
The Stylistics singles chronology
"You Are Everything"
(1971)		"Betcha by Golly, Wow"
(1972)		"People Make the World Go Round"
(1972)

"Betcha by Golly, Wow" is a song written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, originally titled "Keep Growing Strong" and recorded by American actress and singer Connie Stevens under the Bell label in 1970. Stevens' recording runs two minutes and thirty seconds. The composition later became a hit when it was released by the Philadelphia soul group the Stylistics in 1972 under its better known title, "Betcha by Golly, Wow". [2]

Contents

The Stylistics version

One year after Stevens' original version was released, the Stylistics recorded a more successful cover version as an R&B ballad under the name the song is best known, "Betcha by Golly, Wow". It was the third track from the Stylistics' 1971 debut self-titled album; [3] released as a single in 1972, it reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. [2] [4] Billboard ranked it as the No. 18 song for 1972. It also climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart, [4] and reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1972. [5] The single sold over one million copies globally, earning the band a gold disc [2] The award was presented by the RIAA on April 17, 1972. [2] It was the band's second gold disc. [2] There are two mixes of the song; the 3:17 version released as a single is the one most familiar to listeners, while the 3:48 album version has an instrumental break prior to the song's finale.

Charts

Prince version

"Betcha by Golly Wow!"
Prince betcha.jpg
UK CD single
Single by Prince
from the album Emancipation
B-side "Right Back Here in My Arms"
ReleasedNovember 13, 1996
Recorded1995
Studio Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota, US
Genre Soul
Length3:30
Label NPG/EMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Prince
Prince singles chronology
"Dinner with Delores"
(1996)		"Betcha by Golly Wow!"
(1996)		"The Holy River"
(1997)
Music video
"Betcha by Golly, Wow" on YouTube

Another version of "Betcha by Golly, Wow!" was released by American musician Prince (his stage name at that time being a symbol with no known pronunciation, see cover art) on his 20th album, Emancipation (1996). Prince had stated that he always wanted to release his own version but his record company, Warner Bros. Records, had not permitted it. The CD single was released in two formats in the UK, one with a picture sleeve and one with an orange cardboard sleeve that included a picture disc and a mini-poster. The song was also issued on cassette. All versions of the single had "Right Back Here in My Arms" as the B-side. Both tracks were the album versions. The track was released as a promotional single in the US; a music video was also produced.

The song was released on Mayte Garcia's (Prince's then-wife) 23rd birthday. Garcia also appeared in the video; she played herself in the doctor's office, confirming she is pregnant and revealing this to Prince when he walks into the room. One of the backgrounds of the video is Prince's own Paisley Park Studios. It charted fairly well in the US, based on airplay figures (in the US promotional singles were not allowed to chart until late 1998) and almost made the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. [11]

Critical reception

Larry Flick of Billboard stated, "He follows the blueprint of the Stylistics' original recording almost to the letter, offering only the scant and fleeting hints of the offbeat brilliance on which he has built his career. That said, this is certainly a pleasant and hit-worthy effort, thanks in large part to a sweetly romantic falsetto vocal and the warm familiarity of the song." [12] Everett True from Melody Maker was negative, writing, "Insipid cover of Stylistics oldie. Breathy vocals and saccharine sentiments recall the worst of the Seventies. This is music punk set out to destroy." [13] A reviewer from Music Week gave the cover version four out of five, adding, "This smoothly-produced debut for The Artist's new label is a sleek and seamless cover of the Stylistics' seventies hit. A hit no doubt, but not one of his classics." [14]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for Prince's cover
Chart (1996–97)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [15] 18
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [16] 5
Germany (Official German Charts) [17] 62
Italy ( Musica e dischi ) [18] 20
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [19] 31
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [20] 42
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [21] 24
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [22] 27
Scotland (OCC) [23] 17
UK Singles (OCC) [24] 11
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [25] 2
US Hot 100 Airplay ( Billboard )31
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay ( Billboard )10
US Rhythmic Top 40 ( Billboard )10
US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard )23
US Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks ( Billboard )38

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stylistics</span> American music group

The Stylistics are an American Philadelphia soul group that achieved their greatest chart success in the 1970s. They formed in 1968, with a lineup of singers Russell Thompkins Jr., Herb Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith and James Dunn and Edwin Miller. All of their US hits were ballads characterized by the falsetto of Russell Thompkins Jr. and the production of Thom Bell. During the early 1970s, the group had twelve consecutive R&B top ten hits, including "Stop, Look, Listen", "You Are Everything", "Betcha by Golly, Wow", "I'm Stone in Love with You", "Break Up to Make Up" and "You Make Me Feel Brand New", which earned them 5 gold singles and 3 gold albums.

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.

Linda Diane Creed, also known by her married name Linda Epstein, was an American songwriter and lyricist who teamed up with Thom Bell to produce some of the most successful Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s.

<i>Emancipation</i> (Prince album) 1996 studio album by Prince

Emancipation is the nineteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince. It was released on November 19, 1996, by NPG Records and EMI Records as a triple album. The title refers to Prince's freedom from his contract with Warner Bros. Records after 18 years, with which he had a contentious relationship. The album was Prince's third to be released that year, which made 1996 one of the most prolific years for material released by Prince.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (Prince song)</span> 1994 single by Prince

"The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" is a song by American musician Prince, released in various forms on the 1994 remixes EP The Beautiful Experience and later on his seventeenth album, The Gold Experience (1995). In his singles chronology, it was his third major release since changing his stage name to an unpronounceable "Love Symbol". In his albums chronology, it along with the EP was his second release after changing his name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Hate U (Prince song)</span> 1995 song by Prince

"I Hate U" is a song by American musician Prince, released on September 12, 1995 by NPG and Warner Bros., as the lead single from his seventeenth studio album, The Gold Experience (1995). It was also Prince's last original single to reach the US Top 40, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it peaked at number 20. A music video was produced to promote the single, but never officially released until it was made available after Prince's death, on the official Prince YouTube channel in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)</span>

"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.

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

The Stylistics is the debut album by American R&B group the Stylistics, released in November 1971 on the Avco record label. It was produced by Thom Bell and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The album has been called "a sweet soul landmark."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Are Everything</span> 1971 single by The Stylistics

"You Are Everything" is a soul song written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed and originally recorded by the Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics.

<i>Phyllis Hyman</i> (album) 1977 studio album by Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman is the self-titled solo debut studio album by American soul singer-songwriter Phyllis Hyman. It was released by Buddah Records in 1977. The album charted at number 107 on the Billboard 200 chart, and of the singles released from the album, "No One Can Love You More" was the most successful, charting at number 58 in the Billboard Hot Soul singles chart.

<i>Flying High Together</i> 1972 studio album by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Flying High Together is an album by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label, released in 1972. It is noted as The Miracles' last studio album with original lead singer Smokey Robinson, who retired from the act to concentrate on his duties as vice president of Motown. The album charted at #46 on the Billboard Pop Album chart, and featured two singles: the appropriately named "We've Come Too Far to End It Now", which matched the parent album's chart position on the Billboard singles chart, charting at #46, and reached the Top 10 of the Billboard R&B singles chart, charting at #9, and "I Can't Stand to See You Cry", which charted at #45 Pop, and #21 R&B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Make Me Feel Brand New</span> 1974 single by The Stylistics

"You Make Me Feel Brand New" is a 1974 single by the Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics. An R&B ballad, the song was written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Thompkins Jr.</span> American soul singer (born 1951)

Russell Allen Thompkins Jr. is an American soul singer, best known as the original lead singer of the vocal group The Stylistics and noted for his high tenor, countertenor, and falsetto vocals. With Russell as lead singer, The Stylistics had 12 straight Top 10 Billboard R&B singles, and 5 gold singles from 1971 through 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince singles discography</span>

Prince released several hundred songs both under his own name and under pseudonyms and/or pen names, as well as writing songs which have been recorded by other artists. Estimates of the actual number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. He has released 117 singles, 41 promotional singles, 24 internet singles, and eight internet downloads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Stone in Love with You</span> 1972 single by The Stylistics

"I'm Stone in Love with You" is a 1972 single by the Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics. The song is noted for lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr.'s distinctive falsetto singing, which he employs through most of the record. The song was written by Thom Bell, Linda Creed, and Anthony Bell.

<i>Funky Serenity</i> 1973 studio album by Ramsey Lewis

Funky Serenity is an album by the pianist Ramsey Lewis, released in 1973 on Columbia Records. The album got to No. 6 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.

<i>The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)</i> (Johnny Mathis album) 1972 studio album by Johnny Mathis

The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face) is an album by American pop singer Johnny Mathis released on May 10, 1972, by Columbia Records and continues in the tradition set by his recent studio releases of covering mostly current chart hits. A trio of selections on side one ("Love Theme from 'The Godfather' (Speak Softly Love)", "Theme from 'Summer of 42' (The Summer Knows)", and "Brian's Song (The Hands of Time)") originated as film scores and had lyrics added later.

<i>Im Coming Home</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Johnny Mathis

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frenk DJ</span> Musical artist

Frenk DJ is a former disc jockey.

<i>Today</i> (Johnny Hartman album) 1972 studio album by Johnny Hartman

Today is a studio album by American singer Johnny Hartman, released in 1972 by Perception Records. It was Hartman's first recording since 1967 and marked a new phase in his career, with the inclusion of material by more contemporary songwriters such as Jimmy Webb, Kris Kristofferson, and Paul Williams. Musicians on the album include well-known jazz instrumentalists such as George Coleman, Earl May, and Billy Higgins.

References

  1. ↑ Billboard Staff (October 19, 2023). "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard . Retrieved February 11, 2024. ...an era of impossibly pretty R&B records in the early 1970s, including The Delfonics' "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" and The Stylistics' "Betcha By Golly Wow
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.  351. ISBN   0-214-20512-6.
  3. ↑ Lytle, Craig. "The Stylistics". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Stylistics | Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  5. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 537. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  6. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  7. ↑ Flavour of New Zealand, 14 August 1972
  8. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Music Chart". Billboard. 1972-05-13. Archived from the original on 2015-11-28. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  9. ↑ Archived September 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
  11. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 439. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  12. ↑ Flick, Larry (November 23, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard . p. 84. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. ↑ True, Everett (December 7, 1996). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 38. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . November 23, 1996. p. 24. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  15. ↑ "The Symbol – Betcha by Golly Wow!". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  16. ↑ "The Symbol – Betcha by Golly Wow!" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  17. ↑ "The Symbol – Betcha by Golly Wow!" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 28, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Prince".
  19. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Prince" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  20. ↑ "The Symbol – Betcha by Golly Wow!" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  21. ↑ "The Symbol – Betcha by Golly Wow!". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  22. ↑ "The Symbol – Betcha by Golly Wow!". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Prince: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
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.