Barry White Sings for Someone You Love
Encyclopedia
Barry White Sings for Someone You Love is the self-produced seventh album by soul singer Barry White
, released in 1977 on the 20th Century
label.
(White's fifth album to achieve this) and reached #8 on the pop listings
, becoming the second-highest charting pop release of White's career, bettered only by the 1974 chart-topping Can't Get Enough
. The lead single "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me
" also topped the R&B chart and was a top 5 pop hit.
White's previous album Is This Whatcha Wont?
had been criticised for sounding too similar to earlier albums and therefore rather dated by the time of its release. However, Barry White Sings for Someone You Love marked a significant change in White's production style, with heavier rhythm tracks and less prominent string arrangements than had previously been the norm. This is particularly the case with the first three tracks (the original Side 1 of the album), which have proved to have enduring appeal and are among the most heavily-sampled tracks in White's entire catalogue. Critical reaction to the album has remained highly positive, and it is usually cited as being one of White's finest recordings.
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
, released in 1977 on the 20th Century
20th Century Records
20th Century Fox Records, also known as 20th Fox Records and 20th Century Records, was a subsidiary of film studio 20th Century Fox.-History:It began in 1958 as 20th Fox Records. In 1963, 20th Fox Records became 20th Century-Fox Records...
label.
Reception
Following two indifferently-received and relatively low-selling albums, Barry White Sings for Someone You Love restored White's standing, both critically and commercially. The album topped the R&B chartTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
(White's fifth album to achieve this) and reached #8 on the pop listings
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, becoming the second-highest charting pop release of White's career, bettered only by the 1974 chart-topping Can't Get Enough
Can't Get Enough (Barry White album)
Can't Get Enough is soul singer Barry White's third album. Released in 1974, it is one of White's most successful albums, featuring "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe", which was a #1 hit in the US. The song "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" reached #2 on both US and Dance charts...
. The lead single "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me
It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
"It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" was a hit song by Barry White. The song was written by Ekundayo Paris and Nelson Pigford. Similar to the initial reaction after first hearing his earlier hit "You're the First, the Last, My Everything", when those close to White heard the demo of "It's...
" also topped the R&B chart and was a top 5 pop hit.
White's previous album Is This Whatcha Wont?
Is This Whatcha Wont?
Is This Whatcha Wont? is the self-produced sixth album by American R&B singer Barry White, released in November 1976 on the 20th Century label...
had been criticised for sounding too similar to earlier albums and therefore rather dated by the time of its release. However, Barry White Sings for Someone You Love marked a significant change in White's production style, with heavier rhythm tracks and less prominent string arrangements than had previously been the norm. This is particularly the case with the first three tracks (the original Side 1 of the album), which have proved to have enduring appeal and are among the most heavily-sampled tracks in White's entire catalogue. Critical reaction to the album has remained highly positive, and it is usually cited as being one of White's finest recordings.
Track listing
- Playing Your Game, Baby - (Smeed Hudman, Austin Johnson) 7:13
- It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to MeIt's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me"It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" was a hit song by Barry White. The song was written by Ekundayo Paris and Nelson Pigford. Similar to the initial reaction after first hearing his earlier hit "You're the First, the Last, My Everything", when those close to White heard the demo of "It's...
- (Ekundayo Paris, Nelson Pigford) 6:57 - You're So Good You're Bad - (Jerry RagovoyJerry RagovoyJordan "Jerry" Ragovoy was an American songwriter and record producer.His best-known composition "Time Is on My Side" was made famous by The Rolling Stones, although it had been recorded earlier by Kai Winding and Irma Thomas...
, Aaron SchroederAaron SchroederAaron Schroeder was an American songwriter and music publisher.-Biography:Born Aaron Harold Schroder , he graduated from the school now known as the Fiorello H...
) 6:03 - Never Thought I'd Fall in Love With You - (Ronald Coleman) 4:48
- You Turned My Whole World Around - (Danny Pearson, Frank WilsonFrank Wilson (musician)Frank Wilson is an African American former songwriter and record producer for Motown Records.-Biography:He was born to James Wilson and Samantha Gibbs...
) 7:47 - Oh What a Night for Dancing - (Barry WhiteBarry WhiteBarry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
, Vance Wilson) 3:55 - Of All the Guys in the World - (Danny Pearson, Barry White) 4:00
Charts
| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Pop Albums Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
8 |
| Billboard Top Soul Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
1 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
||
| 1977 | "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me" | 1 | 4 |
| 1978 | "Oh What A Night For Dancing" | 24 | 13 |
| "Playing Your Game, Baby" | - | 8 | |
Samples & Covers
- Le Pamplemousse sampled "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me" on their song "Le Spank" in 1977.
- Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy KaneAntonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
sampled "Playing Your Game, Baby" on his song "Brother, Brother" on his album Prince of DarknessPrince of Darkness (Big Daddy Kane album)Prince of Darkness is the fourth album by rapper Big Daddy Kane, released October 29, 1991 on Cold Chillin' Records. The album features guest appearances from Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes, and features the singles "Groove With It", "Raw '91" and "The Lover in You."-Track listing:-Samples:*"Brother,...
in 1991. - Compton's Most WantedCompton's Most WantedCompton's Most Wanted is an American gangsta rap group and one of the pioneers of the West Coast Hip Hop scene still performing today on independent labels. The leader of the group was MC Eiht.-Biography:...
sampled "Playing Your Game, Baby" on their song "I Gots Ta’ Get Over" on their album Music to DrivebyMusic to DrivebyMusic to Driveby is the third studio album by American rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released September 29, 1992 on Orpheus Records. The album was produced by DJ Mike T, Master Ric Roc, The Unknown DJ, MC Eiht and DJ Slip...
in 1992. - Mary J. Blige Mary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
sampled "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me" on her song "You Bring Me JoyYou Bring Me Joy"You Bring Me Joy" is a hip hop soul song written by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Chucky Thompson, and Joel "Jo-Jo" Hailey , for Mary J. Blige's 1994 sophomore studio album, My Life...
" on her album My LifeMy Life (Mary J. Blige album)My Life is the second studio album from American R&B and soul singer Mary J. Blige, Released by Uptown/MCA Records on November 29, 1994. Recording sessions for the album began in fall of 1993 and ended almost one year later. Many of the topics on My Life deal with clinical depression, Blige's...
in 1994. - Grand Puba Grand PubaMaxwell Dixon is an emcee best known as a member of the group Brand Nubian.-Biography:He made his debut with the group Masters of Ceremony. Its album Dynamite was hailed by critics, but probably due to lack of sales, the group soon disbanded, and Puba emerged as the lead emcee of Brand Nubian...
sampled "Playing Your Game, Baby" on his song "Playin' The Game" on his album 20002000 (album)2000 is the second album by hip hop artist Grand Puba of the group Brand Nubian, released in mid-1995 through Elektra Records. The album wasn't as acclaimed as his solo debut Reel to Reel, and wasn't able to sell a significant number of units, despite a Billboard Hot 100 hit, "I Like It "...
in 1995. - Black Moon sampled "Playing Your Game, Baby" on their song "I Got Cha Opin (Remix)" on their album Diggin' in dah VaultsDiggin' in Dah VaultsDiggin' in dah Vaults is a compilation album by Black Moon. The album features seven remixes of tracks originally released on their debut Enta da Stage, and a few songs originally released as B-Sides on past singles. The track "Headz Ain't Redee" was originally featured on the Gold-certified...
in 1996. - Lost Boyz sampled "Playing Your Game, Baby" on their song "Da Game" on their album Legal Drug MoneyLegal Drug MoneyLegal Drug Money is the debut album from Hip Hop group Lost Boyz, featuring members Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Tah, DJ Spigg Nice and Pretty Lou. The album featured 5 major hits "Renee", "Music Makes Me High", "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz", "Get Up" and "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Shameless"...
in 1996.