Why Can't We Live Together
Encyclopedia
Why Can't We Live Together is a song by Timmy Thomas
from the album Why Can't We Live Together
. The song is notable for its sparse, stripped-down production, which featured only a Hammond organ
, percussion from an early rhythm machine and Thomas's passionate, soulful vocal. Thomas recorded a demo at Dukoff Recording Studios in North Miami, Florida, with Bill Borkan acting as sound engineer.
TK Records
staff producer Steve Alaimo listened to the demo of the song and was going to re-cut it with a full band, but then decided the song was already finished the way it was. Released as a single in late 1972, the song became a major hit in the U.S. during the early part of 1973, reaching the number one spot on the R&B chart, number three on the Billboard Pop Singles
and eventually selling over two million copies. It was also a hit in the UK as well, peaking at #12. There was a re-release on 7" and 12" in 1979, with a live version as B-side on the 7" European release.
Later, the song has been covered by many artists, including Mike Anthony (1982), Sade
(1984), Joan Osborne
, Steve Winwood
(2005) and Maria Muldaur
(2009). In 1990, a "Stand Up For Love" re-recording of the song was done by Thomas. Mike Anthony's version knew a big succes in Europe, released as a single, during summer '82, Belgian radio stations, among others, playing often the song during this time.
Santana
on "Live at Montreux" plays the cover of "Why Can't We Live Together" (1996 & 2004). English-Nigerian musician Sade
sung the cover of "Why Can't We Live Together" on her 1984 released album Diamond Life
.
Timmy Thomas
Timmy Thomas is an American R&B singer, keyboardist, songwriter and record producer, best known for the hit song, "Why Can't We Live Together".-Career:...
from the album Why Can't We Live Together
Why Can't We Live Together (album)
-Reception:Released in 1972 this album would chart number ten in 1973 on the Soul album charts on the strength of the million seller single, Why Can't We Live Together.- Track listing :All Song written by Timmy Thomas except where indicated...
. The song is notable for its sparse, stripped-down production, which featured only a Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, percussion from an early rhythm machine and Thomas's passionate, soulful vocal. Thomas recorded a demo at Dukoff Recording Studios in North Miami, Florida, with Bill Borkan acting as sound engineer.
TK Records
TK Records
TK Records was an American record label started by record distributor, Henry Stone in Miami, Florida, one of several labels that he founded in the 1960s and 1970s...
staff producer Steve Alaimo listened to the demo of the song and was going to re-cut it with a full band, but then decided the song was already finished the way it was. Released as a single in late 1972, the song became a major hit in the U.S. during the early part of 1973, reaching the number one spot on the R&B chart, number three on the Billboard Pop Singles
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...
and eventually selling over two million copies. It was also a hit in the UK as well, peaking at #12. There was a re-release on 7" and 12" in 1979, with a live version as B-side on the 7" European release.
Later, the song has been covered by many artists, including Mike Anthony (1982), Sade
Sade (band)
Sade is a British smooth jazz band that formed in 1983, named for Nigerian lead singer Sade Adu. Their music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, and soft rock....
(1984), Joan Osborne
Joan Osborne
Joan Elizabeth Osborne is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her song "One of Us". She has toured with Motown sidemen the Funk Brothers and was featured in the documentary film about them, Standing in the Shadows of Motown.-Biography:Originally from Anchorage, Kentucky, a suburb...
, Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood
Stephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English international recording artist whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is a songwriter and a musician whose genres include soul music , R&B, rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and jazz...
(2005) and Maria Muldaur
Maria Muldaur
Maria Muldaur is a folk-blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s...
(2009). In 1990, a "Stand Up For Love" re-recording of the song was done by Thomas. Mike Anthony's version knew a big succes in Europe, released as a single, during summer '82, Belgian radio stations, among others, playing often the song during this time.
Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
on "Live at Montreux" plays the cover of "Why Can't We Live Together" (1996 & 2004). English-Nigerian musician Sade
Sade Adu
Helen Folasade Adu OBE , is a British singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. She first achieved success in the 1980s as the frontwoman and lead vocalist of the Brit and Grammy Award winning English group Sade.-Biography:Sade was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria...
sung the cover of "Why Can't We Live Together" on her 1984 released album Diamond Life
Diamond Life
-Personnel:*Sade Adu – vocals*Andrew Hale – keyboards*Stuart Matthewman – guitar, saxophone*Paul S. Denman – bass*Paul Cooke – drums*Terry Bailey – trumpet*Pete Brown – assistant engineer*Tom Coyne – remastering*Martin Ditcham – percussion...
.