Who's Making Love
"Who's Making Love" is a song written by Stax Records staffers Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher, Don Davis and Raymond Jackson and recorded by singer Johnnie Taylor.
| "Who's Making Love" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Johnnie Taylor | |
| from the album Who's Making Love... | |
| B-side | "I'm Trying" |
| Released | October 1968 |
| Format | 45 rpm record |
| Recorded | 1968 |
| Genre | Memphis soul |
| Length | 2:47 |
| Label | Stax (STA-0009) |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Don Davis |
Released on the Stax label in the late summer of 1968, it became Taylor's breakthrough single, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot R&B singles chart and number five on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] It became one of the few singles Taylor would become primarily known for in the mainstream. The song featured the Stax house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and Isaac Hayes (on keyboards). It was Taylor's best-selling single before the release of "Disco Lady" almost a decade later.
According to Bettye Crutcher, the lyrics were inspired by the 1920s novelty song "Who Takes Care of the Caretaker's Daughter (While the Caretaker's Busy Taking Care)".[2]
Chart positions
| Chart (1967–68) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B singles | 1 |
Cover versions
- Tony Joe White covered the song on his 1968 album Black and White.
- Young-Holt Unlimited released a cover on the album Soulful Strut in 1968 and as a single in 1969, both on Brunswick Records.
- The Blues Brothers released a cover version as a single in 1980, which reached number 39 on the US charts.
- Christian McBride included the song in his 2013 album Out Here.
References
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 568.
- Rob Bowman, Soulsville, U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records, p.163