"I'll Be Good to You" is a 1976 hit song by R&B duo the Brothers Johnson. George Johnson, one of the two Johnson brothers in the band, wrote the song after deciding to commit to a relationship with one woman, instead of dating several at a time. While George was recording a demo for the song, family friend Senora Sam came by and added some lyrics.[1] Brothers Johnson producer and mentor Quincy Jones heard the song, liked it, and convinced George to sing lead on the finished track. Released from their debut album, Look Out for #1, it was a top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot Singles Charts, peaking at number three, and a number one song on the Billboard R&B Charts during the summer of 1976.[2] The single was later certified gold by the RIAA.
Thirteen years later in 1989, it became a number one R&B hit again, with Chaka Khan and Ray Charles doing the lead vocals on Quincy Jones' Back on the Block album, and went to number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.[3] It also topped the American dance chart in early 1990.[4] This was Ray Charles' first No. 1 R&B hit in twenty-four years.
Chart performance
The Brothers Johnson version
Quincy Jones featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan version
Personnel
- Ray Charles, Chaka Khan: lead vocals featured rap artist on remix Kyle "Magic" Jackson
- Quincy Jones: producer, vocal and rhythm arranger
- David Paich, Greg Phillinganes, Ian Prince: keyboards
- Louis Johnson: Moog synthesizer bass, Fender slap bass, background vocals
- Ian Underwood, Larry Williams, Michael Boddicker, Steve Porcaro: synthesizer programming
- Bruce Swedien: drum programming
- Harvey Mason: hi-hat, cymbals
- George Johnson: guitar, background vocals
- James Ingram, James Gilstrap, Phil Perry, Siedah Garrett, Syreeta Wright: background vocals
Cover versions
References
- ^ allmusic
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 80.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 307.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 139.
- ^ "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 7/24/76". Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 26, No. 14 & 15, January 08 1977". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ^ Musicoutfitters.com
- ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1976". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
External links
- The Brothers Johnson - I'll Be Good to You on YouTube
See also
