CLASSIC SONGS OF ALL TIME

Back when I bought 'This is Soul' album (1968) this was on there and one of the slow dance masterpieces of all soul music but for me it became simply a classic song of all time and no mistake, defying any categorisation really. One of the truly great beautiful love songs of all time. End of . . . 

On this day in music history: May 7, 1966 - “When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 4 weeks, also topping the Hot 100 for 2 weeks on May 28, 1966. Written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright, it is the biggest hit for the Alabama born and raised soul singer. The song is born out of an on stage improvisation when Sledge and his band are performing in a local night club. The song is originally titled “Why Did You Leave Me?” until the lyrics are re-written prior to recording it. Recorded on February 17, 1966, the track features members of the Muscle Shoals rhythm section including Spooner Oldham, Junior Lowe and Roger Hawkins. Producer and songwriter Rick Hall, co-owner of FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL make Atlantic Records in New York aware of Sledge and the song, and recommend that they purchase the master for “When A Man Loves A Woman” and sign the singer, which they do in short order. Released on March 7, 1966, the single streaks up the R&B and pop charts rapidly, hitting the top of both charts within two months after its release. Regarded as one of the greatest R&B singles of all time, it is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1999. “When A Man Loves A Woman” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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