Let Me Talk
| "Let Me Talk" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Earth, Wind & Fire | ||||
| from the album Faces | ||||
| B-side | "Let Me Talk" (Instrumental) | |||
| Released | August 1980 | |||
| Genre | Funk, R&B, post-disco | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | ARC, Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Maurice White, Ralph Johnson, Phillip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Verdine White | |||
| Producer(s) | Maurice White | |||
| Earth, Wind & Fire singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Let Me Talk" on YouTube | ||||
"Let Me Talk" is a song by the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire, released as a single in August 1980 by ARC/Columbia Records.[1] The single reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 29 on the UK Pop Singles chart.[2][3]
Overview
Let Me Talk was produced by EWF leader Maurice White. As well the song was composed by White, Ralph Johnson, Phillip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Al McKay and Verdine White.[1]
The B-side of the single was an instrumental version of Let Me Talk. The song has an allegro tempo of 112 beats per minute.[4] Let Me Talk also came off EWF's 1980 album Faces.[1]
Critical reception
Paul Rambali of NME noted that the song is "without a recognisable disco beat" and has an "irresistible riff". He also added "this record gives off such a compulsive, joyous, frienzied noise that it's hard to sit still and type, but I can't resist pointing out that amongst more than a few lyrical platitudes it contains the sharpest admonishment of modern culture your'e likely to hear from any source".[5] Billboard stated "EWF's latest is its most rock-oriented release to date with a clipped lead vocal and a steady, rhythmic beat alternating choruses with the more fulsome melodious sound usually connected with the group".[6] Mike Nicholls of Record Mirror declared the song "sets off at a punishing pace which is never relinquished. That means it'll be fine for those wishing to slip a disc in discos but home relaxation? Only it you've shares in Valium. Positively frantic dahling".[7] Nelson George of Musician proclaimed "Let Me Talk is in the tradition of distinctive singles like Shining Star, Serpentine Fire and Getaway. Opening with a swirl of Larry Dunn's synthesizer and Al McKay's chucky rhythm guitar, it shifts effortlessly between two grooves while presenting an agreessive lyric..articulated by Maurice White's husky baritone.[8] David Hepworth of Smash Hits exclaimed "Earth, Wind & Fire come over like a warm breeze of simple pleasure, spraying their champagne jazz all over the place and grabbing your heart feet first."[9]
NME also gave Let Me Talk an honourable mention in their list of the top singles of 1980.[10]
Music video
A music video for "Let Me Talk" was also released in September 1980. The video had a duration of four minutes.[11][12]
Chart positions
| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles[3] | 29 |
| UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Singles[13] | 26 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 44 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 85 |
| US Billboard Hot Soul Singles[2] | 8 |
| US Cashbox R&B Singles[14] | 10 |
References
- ^ a b c Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk. ARC/Columbia Records. August 1980.
- ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com. Billboard.
- ^ a b "Earth Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". chords.tv.
- ^ Rambali, Paul (October 11, 1980). Singles. NME. p. 19.
- ^ "Top Single Picks". Vol. 92, no. 38. Billboard. September 20, 1980. p. 71.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - ^ Nicholls, Mike (September 27, 1980). Singles (PDF). Record Mirror. p. 13.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ George, Nelson (February 1, 1981). "Record Review: RECORD REVIEWS - Earth, Wind & Fire". proquest.com. No. 30. Musician. p. 82.
- ^ Hepworth, David (October 2, 1980). "Reviews: Singles". archive.org. Vol. 2, no. 20. Smash Hits. p. 28.
- ^ "NME Albums and Singles of 1980". rocklistmusic.co.uk. New Musical Express.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". Youtube.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". imdb.com.
- ^ Top British Soul Singles. Blues & Soul. December 16, 1980.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". cashboxmagazine.com. Cashbox.
