Why Can't We Live Together
| "Why Can't We Live Together" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Timmy Thomas | |
| B-side | "Funky Me" |
| Released | 1972 |
| Format | Vinyl Record (45 RPM) |
| Genre | R&B |
| Length | 3:30 (single version) 4:40 (album version) |
| Label | Glades/TK Records |
| Writer(s) | Timmy Thomas |
| Producer | Timmy Thomas |
Why Can't We Live Together is a song by Timmy Thomas from the album Why Can't We Live Together. The song is notable for its sparse, stripped-down production, which featured only a Hammond organ, percussion from an early rhythm machine and Thomas's passionate, soulful vocal. Thomas recorded a demo at Dukoff Recording Studios in North Miami, Florida, with Bill Borkan acting as sound engineer.
TK Records staff producer Steve Alaimo listened to the demo of the song and was going to re-cut it with a full band, but then decided the song was already finished the way it was.[1] Released as a single in late 1972, the song became a major hit in the U.S. during the early part of 1973, reaching the number one spot on the R&B chart, number three on the Billboard Pop Singles [2] and eventually selling over two million copies. It was also a hit in the UK as well, peaking at #12[3]. There was a re-release on 7" and 12" in 1979, with a live version as B-side on the 7" European release[4].
Later, the song has been covered by many artists, including Mike Anthony (1982), Sade (1984), Joan Osborne, Steve Winwood (2003) and Maria Muldaur (2009). In 1990, a "Stand Up For Love" re-recording of the song was done by Thomas. Mike Anthony's version knew a big success in Europe, released as a single, during summer '82, Belgian radio stations, among others, playing often the song during this time.
Santana on "Live at Montreux" plays the cover of "Why Can't We Live Together" (1996 & 2004). English-Nigerian musician Sade sang the cover of "Why Can't We Live Together" on her 1984 released album Diamond Life.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder |
Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles number one single January 27, 1973 – February 3, 1973 |
Succeeded by "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" by The Spinners |
[edit] References
- ^ allmusic : Why Can't We Live Together
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 577.
- ^ http://www.everyhit.com
- ^ Discogs - 7" single, cat 101655, Disques Vogue label, France Why Can't We Live Together?
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