Let Me Talk

"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]

"Let Me Talk"
Single by Earth, Wind & Fire
from the album Faces
B-side"Let Me Talk" (Instrumental)
ReleasedAugust 1980
Format7", 12"
GenreFunk, R&B, post-disco
Length3:45
LabelARC, Columbia
Songwriter(s)Maurice White, Ralph Johnson, Phillip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Verdine White
Producer(s)Maurice White
Earth, Wind & Fire singles chronology
"Can't Let Go"
(1979)		 "Let Me Talk"
(1980)		 "You"
(1980)
Music video
"Let Me Talk" on YouTube

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
  1. Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk. ARC/Columbia Records. August 1980.
  2. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com. Billboard.
  3. "Earth Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company.
  4. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". chords.tv.
  5. Rambali, Paul (October 11, 1980). Singles. NME. p. 19.
  6. "Top Single Picks". Vol. 92 no. 38. Billboard. September 20, 1980. p. 71. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  7. Nicholls, Mike (September 27, 1980). Singles (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Record Mirror. p. 13.
  8. George, Nelson (February 1, 1981). "Record Review: RECORD REVIEWS - Earth, Wind & Fire". proquest.com. No. 30. Musician. p. 82.
  9. Hepworth, David (October 2, 1980). "Reviews: Singles". archive.org. Vol. 2 no. 20. Smash Hits. p. 28.
  10. "NME Albums and Singles of 1980". rocklistmusic.co.uk. New Musical Express.
  11. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". Youtube.com.
  12. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". imdb.com.
  13. Top British Soul Singles. Blues & Soul. December 16, 1980.
  14. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Let Me Talk". cashboxmagazine.com. Cashbox.
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