The Very Best of Billy Paul & Bill Withers

~ Release by Billy Paul & Bill Withers (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

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1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Your Song
producer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International) and Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff)
cover recording of:
Your Song
lyricist:
Bernie Taupin
composer:
Elton John (English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer)
publisher:
Dick James Music Ltd. (renamed Universal/Dick James Music Ltd. since 1999‐07‐30) (ended), Universal Music Publishing (use ONLY if no country‐specific information is available), Universal–Songs of PolyGram International, Inc., Universal/Dick James Music Ltd. (fka Dick James Music Ltd.), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
Billy Paul6:33
2Me and Mrs. Jones
producer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International) and Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff)
vocals:
Billy Paul (American soul singer) (in 1972)
performer:
MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) (in 1972)
brass [horns] arranger and strings arranger:
Bobby Martin (US soul/R&B producer/arranger)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1972) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1972)
recorded at:
Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (in 1972)
recording of:
Me and Mrs. Jones (in 1972)
writer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International), Cary Gilbert and Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
sub-publisher:
Yamaha Music Entertainment (Japanese label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Billy Paul4.54:47
3Without You
cover recording of:
Without You
writer:
Tom Evans (UK guitarist for Badfinger) and W. Peter Ham
publisher:
100 % Apple Music, Apple Music, Apple Music Publishing Co., Inc., Apple Publishing Ltd. (, from 1970 to present), Essex Music, Essex Music of Australia Pty. Ltd., Imagem Music, The Estate for Peter William Ham, The Estate for Thomas Evans, Warner Bros. Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28)
sub-publisher:
ティー・アール・オー・エセックス・ジャパン A事業部 (TRO Essex Japan, A-Division)
Billy Paul3:19
4Let 'em In
cover recording of:
Let ’Em In
lyricist and composer:
Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
Billy Paul55:07
5People Power
Billy Paul4:21
6It's Too Late
producer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International) and Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff)
cover recording of:
It’s Too Late
lyricist:
Toni Stern
composer:
Carole King
dedicated to:
James Taylor (singer-songwriter and guitarist)
publisher:
Colgems-EMI Music Inc., イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Billy Paul4:34
7Am I Black Enough for You
producer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International) and Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff)
performer:
MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) (in 1972)
arranger:
Bobby Martin (US soul/R&B producer/arranger)
recorded at:
Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (in 1972)
recording of:
Am I Black Enough for You (in 1972)
writer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International) and Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff)
publisher:
Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Billy Paul55:20
8Ebony Woman
cover recording of:
Ebony Woman
lyricist and composer:
Morris Bailey (Philadelphia-based composer, producer, saxophonist)
Billy Paul3:54
9Everything Must Change
cover recording of:
Everything Must Change
lyricist and composer:
Benard Ighner
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP)
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM)) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
part of:
Trans Traditional Suite
Billy Paul5:20
10July July July
Billy Paul5:28
11Thank for Saving My Life
recording of:
Thanks for Saving My Life
writer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International) and Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff)
Billy Paul53:00
12When Live Is New
Billy Paul5:31
13Mrs. Robinson
cover recording of:
Mrs. Robinson
lyricist and composer:
Paul Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel)
publisher:
Charing Cross Music (Paul Simon’s publishing company), Pattern Music Ltd (publisher), Paul Simon Music, Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!) and Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd
Billy Paul4:33
14I See the Light
Billy Paul6:13
15Black Wonders of the World
recording of:
Black Wonders of the World
writer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International), Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff), Gene McFadden, Billy Paul (American soul singer) and John Whitehead
Billy Paul7:56
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Ain't No Sunshine
recording engineer:
Bill Halverson (in 1971) and Bill Lazarus (in 1971)
producer:
Booker T. Jones
mixer:
John Golden (mastering engineer)
acoustic guitar:
Stephen Stills (in 1971)
drums (drum set):
Al Jackson, Jr. (Booker T & The MGs drummer) (in 1971)
electric bass guitar:
Donald “Duck” Dunn (US bass guitarist, session musician, record producer & songwriter) (in 1971)
lead vocals:
Bill Withers (in 1971)
strings arranger:
Booker T. Jones
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1971) and Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1972)
part of:
BILLIONS CLUB, Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 179), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 280) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 309)
recording of:
Ain’t No Sunshine (in 1971)
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and EMI Songs Ltd.
Bill Withers4.52:05
2Lean on Me
producer:
Benorce Blackmon (guitarist, producer, writer), Melvin Dunlap, James Gadson (American drummer), Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger) and Bill Withers
drums (drum set) and percussion:
James Gadson (American drummer) (in 1972)
electric bass guitar:
Melvin Dunlap (in 1972)
electric guitar:
Benorce Blackmon (guitarist, producer, writer) (in 1972)
piano and lead vocals:
Bill Withers (in 1972)
Wurlitzer electric piano:
Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger) (in 1972)
strings arranger:
Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1972), CBS Records Ltd. (UK record company, subsidiary of CBS United Kingdom Ltd.) (in 1972), Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1972) and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Aug 5, 2004 – Oct 1, 2008) (in 1972)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 205) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 236)
recording of:
Lean on Me (in 1972)
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty. Limited (not for release label use!), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), EMI Songs Ltd., Interior Music (Les Disques du Crépuscule sub‐label), Interior Music Corp., Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!), Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd, シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
Bill Withers4.34:19
3Lovely Day
producer:
Clarence McDonald and Bill Withers
bass guitar:
Jerry Knight (in 1977)
drums (drum set) and shakers:
Russell Kunkel (session drummer) (in 1977)
guitar:
Ray Parker (in 1977)
keyboard:
Clarence McDonald (in 1977)
percussion:
Ralph MacDonald (in 1977)
lead vocals:
Bill Withers (in 1977)
arranger:
Clarence McDonald
concertmaster:
Charles Veal (violinist, conductor and arranger) (in 1977)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS Records Ltd. (UK record company, subsidiary of CBS United Kingdom Ltd.) (in 1977), CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1977) and Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1977)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 402)
recording of:
Lovely Day (in 1977)
writer:
Skip Scarborough and Bill Withers
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., Chelsea Music Publishing Co., Ltd., Golden Withers Music, Plaid Flowers Music, Sweet Cookie Music, Unichappell Music, Inc., Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label), フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Bill Withers4.64:11
4Just the Two of Us
producer:
Ralph MacDonald and Grover Washington, Jr.
drums (drum set):
Steve Gadd (drummer) (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
electric bass guitar:
Marcus Miller (jazz musician) (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
electric guitar:
Eric Gale (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
percussion:
Ralph MacDonald (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
Rhodes piano:
Richard Tee (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
saxophone:
Grover Washington, Jr. (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
lead vocals:
Bill Withers (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Elektra Entertainment Group (not for release label use! a division of Warner Communications, Inc. for the United States, and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the United States) (in 1980), Elektra Records (not for release label use! please use its imprint “Elektra” instead) (in 1980) and Elektra/Asylum Records (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor within the US) (in 1980)
edit of:
Just the Two of Us (original studio mix) by Bill Withers & Grover Washington, Jr.
recording of:
Just the Two of Us (Bill Withers song) (from 1980-06 until 1980-07)
writer:
Ralph MacDonald, William Salter and Bill Withers
publisher:
Antisia Music Inc. and Bleunig Music
Bill Withers3.53:58
5Harlem
recording engineer:
Bill Halverson and Bill Lazarus
producer:
Booker T. Jones
mixer:
John Golden (mastering engineer)
vocals:
Bill Withers
arranger:
Booker T. Jones
recording of:
Harlem
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
Interior Music Corp.
Bill Withers43:23
6Use Me
engineer:
Bob Hughes (engineer) and Phil Sheer
producer:
Benorce Blackmon (guitarist, producer, writer), Melvin Dunlap, James Gadson (American drummer), Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger) and Bill Withers
acoustic guitar:
Benorce Blackmon (guitarist, producer, writer)
clavinet and Wurlitzer electric piano:
Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
James Gadson (American drummer)
electric bass guitar:
Melvin Dunlap
lead vocals:
Bill Withers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1972)
recorded at:
Record Plant (aka “Record Plant” Los Angeles) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Use Me
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
Interior Music Corp. (in 1972)
Bill Withers4.353:42
7Friend of Mine
recorded at:
Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1972-10-06)
live recording of:
Friend of Mine
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
Bill Withers4:32
8The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
recording of:
The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
Interior Music Corp.
Bill Withers33:24
9Hello Like Before
producer:
Larry Nash (piano) and Bill Withers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1975)
recording of:
Hello Like Before
writer:
John Collins (songwriter) and Bill Withers
publisher:
Golden Withers Music
Bill Withers5:27
10I Wish You Well
recording of:
I Wish You Well
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
Bill Withers3:59
11You Just Can't Smile Away
engineer:
Ed Cherney and Keith Seppanen (Engineer)
producer:
Bill Withers
solo saxophone:
Ernie Watts (Ernest James Watts, jazz and blues saxophonist)
synthesizer [synthesizer strings]:
Robbie Buchanan (Canadian producer)
synthesizer [Yamaha DX-7]:
Paul Smith (keyboardist/producer, worked with Bill Withers and Idris Muhammad)
background vocals:
Edie Lehman and Kate Markowitz
vocals:
Bill Withers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1985)
recorded at:
Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States and Yamaha R&D Recording Studios
recording of:
You Just Can’t Smile It Away
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.) and Bleunig Music (from 1985 to present)
Bill Withers4:42
12Steppin' Right Along
engineer:
Keith Seppanen (Engineer)
producer:
Bill Withers
clavinet and synthesizer [Yamaha DX-7]:
Bill Withers
drums (drum set):
John Robinson (session drummer)
electronic drum set [Simmons], hi-hat, tambourine and tom-tom [toms]:
M.B. Gordy
guitar:
Joe Kelly (obscure disco artist)
percussion:
Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist)
synthesizer [Yamaha DX-7, pizzicato, horns]:
Paul Smith (keyboardist/producer, worked with Bill Withers and Idris Muhammad)
synthesizer [Yamaha DX-7, strings, voices] and vibraphone [vibes]:
Don Freeman
other vocals [Hots!]:
Denise Routt
vocals:
Bill Withers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1985)
recorded at:
Yamaha R&D Recording Studios
recording of:
Steppin’ Right Along
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.) and Bleunig Music (from 1983 to present)
Bill Withers5:44
13Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?
producer:
Benorce Blackmon (guitarist, producer, writer), Melvin Dunlap, James Gadson (American drummer), Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger) and Bill Withers
clavinet:
Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
James Gadson (American drummer)
electric bass guitar:
Melvin Dunlap
electric guitar:
Benorce Blackmon (guitarist, producer, writer)
lead vocals:
Bill Withers
strings arranger:
Ray Jackson (trombonist, pianist and arranger)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1972)
recording of:
Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?
writer:
Stanley McKenny and Bill Withers
Bill Withers3:15
14Memories Are That Away
Bill Withers15:04
15It Ain't Because of Me Baby
producer:
Clarence McDonald and Bill Withers
bass guitar:
Jerry Knight
drums (drum set):
Alvin Taylor (drummer)
guitar:
Ray Parker
keyboard:
Clarence McDonald
percussion:
Ralph MacDonald
synthesizer:
Mike Jones (Michael Ray Jones)
vocals:
Bill Withers
brass [horns] and strings arranger:
Paul Riser
concertmaster:
Charles Veal (violinist, conductor and arranger)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1977)
recording of:
It Ain’t Because of Me Baby
writer:
Michael Jones (Michael Ray Jones) and Bill Withers
publisher:
Golden Withers Music and フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.)
Bill Withers3:34
16I Want to Spend the Night
producer:
Keni Burke and Bill Withers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1977)
recording of:
I Want to Spend the Night
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
Golden Withers Music and フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.)
Bill Withers3:23
17Soul Shadows
producer:
Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper and Joe Sample
lead vocals:
Bill Withers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1980)
produced for:
Crusaders Productions, Inc.
recording of:
Soul Shadows (in 1980)
writer:
Will Jennings and Joe Sample
Bill Withers3:35
18Grandmas's Hands
recording engineer:
Bill Halverson and Bill Lazarus
producer:
Booker T. Jones
mixer:
John Golden (mastering engineer)
electric guitar:
Stephen Stills
lead vocals:
Bill Withers
arranger:
Booker T. Jones
recording of:
Grandma’s Hands (in 1971)
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
Interior Music Corp.
Bill Withers41:59

Credits

Release

ASIN:FR: B000068PFE [info]