Jerry Butler was an American soul singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Since then, his songs have been covered by many artists, including The Temptations, Otis Redding, and The Supremes. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Music Awards. Butler's career spanned more than five decades and he released dozens of singles and albums. His most successful songs include "He Will Break Your Heart," "Let It Be Me," and "Only the Strong Survive." He was also the lead singer of the R&B group The Impressions. In this article, we will take a look back at some of the best songs by Jerry Butler. From his early hits to his later work, we will explore some of his best-known songs and how they impacted the music industry.
He Will Break Your Heart
"He Will Break Your Heart" was the lead single from Butler's 1960 album, "The Soul of Jerry Butler." The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a major hit for Butler and is widely considered to be one of the greatest soul songs of all time. The song is about the pain of having your heart broken by someone you love. The lyrics are simple yet powerful: "He will break your heart, he will break your heart/But you don't have to believe him/He will break your heart, he will break your heart/But you don't have to take it." The song speaks to the pain of heartbreak and the power of resilience.
Let It Be Me
"Let It Be Me" was Butler's follow-up single to "He Will Break Your Heart" and was released in 1961. The song was a collaboration between Butler and French songwriter Gilbert Becaud and was a major hit in both the U.S. and the U.K. The single reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Butler's last single to reach the Top 10. The song is a plea for a lover to stay with the singer, no matter what challenges they may face. The lyrics are simple yet powerful: "Let it be me, let it be me/You can count on me like 1, 2, 3/I'll be there, and I know when/I'll be there, I'll always be there." The song speaks to the power of love and loyalty in a relationship.
Only the Strong Survive
"Only the Strong Survive" was released in 1968 and was Butler's most successful single of the late 1960s. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a major hit in the U.K. as well. The song is a gospel-inspired anthem about resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The lyrics are uplifting and inspiring: "Only the strong survive/No matter what you do, don't give up/No matter how you try, don't give in/Only the strong survive." The song has been covered by many artists, including Bruce Springsteen, who released a version on his "Human Touch" album in 1992. The song has also been sampled by many hip-hop artists, including Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and Nas.
Ain't Understanding Mellow
"Ain't Understanding Mellow" was released in 1971 and was Butler's first single with Curtom Records. The song was a major hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song is an upbeat funk song about the fading of a relationship due to a lack of understanding. The lyrics are catchy and insightful: "Ain't understanding mellow/It ain't understanding/Love can't survive if you don't understand." The song has been sampled by many hip-hop artists, including A Tribe Called Quest, who sampled it on their song "Electric Relaxation." It has also been covered by artists such as Billy Paul and The Whispers.
Never Give You Up
"Never Give You Up" was released in 1975 and was the lead single from Butler's album "The Ice Man Cometh." The single was a major hit, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song is a midtempo love song about never giving up on love, no matter how difficult it may seem. The lyrics are heartfelt and romantic: "Never give you up, never give you up/Through the bad times, through the good/I'll never give you up, never give you up/No matter what they say, I will stand by you." The song has been sampled by many hip-hop artists, including LL Cool J, who sampled it on his song "Around the Way Girl."
Moody Woman
"Moody Woman" was released in 1976 and was Butler's last Top 10 hit. The single reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song is an uptempo soul song about the difficulty of dealing with a moody woman. The lyrics are humorous and relatable: "Moody woman, moody woman/I can't stand no more of your moody ways/Moody woman, moody woman/I don't know what I'm gonna do today." The song has been sampled by many hip-hop artists, including Ice Cube, who sampled it on his song "It Was a Good Day." It has also been covered by artists such as Al Green and The Isley Brothers.
Conclusion
Jerry Butler was a soul singer and songwriter who had an impressive career that spanned five decades. He released dozens of singles and albums, and his songs have been covered by many artists. His most successful songs include "He Will Break Your Heart," "Let It Be Me," "Only the Strong Survive," "Ain't Understanding Mellow," and "Never Give You Up." Butler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Music Awards. His legacy as one of the greatest soul singers of all time continues to live on through his music.
