Summary
"Who's Making Love" is a song written by Stax Records staffers Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher, Don Davis and Raymond Jackson and recorded by singer Johnnie Taylor in 1968.[1]
| "Who's Making Love" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Johnnie Taylor | |
| from the album Who's Making Love... | |
| B-side | "I'm Trying" |
| Released | October 1968 |
| Recorded | 1968 |
| Genre | Memphis soul |
| Length | 2:47 |
| Label | Stax (STA-0009) |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Don Davis |
Released on the Stax label in the late summer of 1968, it became Taylor's breakthrough single, reaching number one on the US Billboard R&B chart and number five on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] It became one of the few singles Taylor would become primarily known for in the mainstream.[citation needed] The song featured the Stax house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and Isaac Hayes (on keyboards).[citation needed] It was Taylor's best-selling single before the release of "Disco Lady" almost a decade later.[citation needed]
According to Bettye Crutcher, the lyrics were inspired by the 1920s novelty song, "Who Takes Care of the Caretaker's Daughter (While the Caretaker's Busy Taking Care)".[3]
Chart history edit
| Chart (1967–68) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (RPM Top 100)[4] | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B singles | 1 |
Cover versions edit
- Tony Joe White covered the song on his 1968 album Black and White.[5]
- Young-Holt Unlimited released a cover on the album Soulful Strut in 1968[6] and as a single in 1969 (#47 Canada[7]), both on Brunswick Records.[8]
- The Blues Brothers released a cover version as a single in 1980,[9] which reached number 39 on the US chart.[citation needed]
- Christian McBride included the song in his 2013 album Out Here.[10]
- The Nation Funktasia covered the song on their 1991 album "In Search of the Last Trump of Funk".
References edit
- ^ "Johnnie Taylor - Who's Making Love". 45cat.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 568.
- ^ Rob Bowman, Soulsville, U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records, p. 163, Archive.org
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - November 25, 1968" (PDF).
- ^ "Black and White - Tony Joe White | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Soulful Strut - Young-Holt Unlimited | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 17, 1969" (PDF).
- ^ "Young-Holt Unlimited - Who's Making Love". 45cat.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Blues Brothers Discography - USA - 45cat". 45cat.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Out Here - Christian McBride, Christian McBride Trio | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.