The number one on my chart for Blues and Soul in April 1977 underlined just how important the dance floor could be in making a hit record.
The Bo Kirkland and Ruth Davis track You’re Gonna Get Next To Me (The DJ sing-along version replaced Next with Sex. The song line “If you keep on doing what you’re doing I’m gonna have sex with me” was only ever spotted by the sharpest of ears) had no national radio play or exposure on the likes of Top Of The Pops.
Picked up for club play and featuring on some of the very few specialist radio shows it danced its way into the pop chart.
Solo artists on California based Claridge records Bo and Ruth were put together by their label boss for the album that contained Gonna. The power of club jocks in the UK did the rest.
Not all big club tracks sounded as good on Radio, which is something I had to think about when putting together the Saturday shows on BBC London and later on Radio 1. I guess the Deniece Williams, Marvin Gaye, Side Effects tracks plus Bo and Ruth have best stood the test of time. What do you think?
I love that song and it’s optimistic sunshine lyrics Robbie and those brilliant horn and string arrangements too!
It’s true though it is the dance, soul or funk or even jazzy tunes with the memorable bridge, hook line, musical or lyrical chorus that seem better on radio,though a decent home hi fi set up with a good signal tells a different story for some listeners though.
Thanks for this Robbie
Best Regards
Great commentary, Mark! Good to hear from you, brother!
Chris Hill played it and changed the words when he sang along to it. It seemed funny at the time but now we’re older not so. Those that know, would know why. Still a fabulous tune and I still spin it regularly.
Thanks R
:-))
Gonna get next to You is one of my favourites…more memorable for me as the first record playing when i took a car out on my own after passing my driving test in June 1977. I remember sitting at the lights thinking how lucky to get a decent record on Radio One at 11:30 on a Tuesday morning. Have never forgotten that moment but didn’t realise how the record got to be a success.
Mark McCarthy is right! Them words is good! and them notes n beats sounded fun. How dey do dat?