Top Ten Songs by Johnnie Taylor
I am going to go in reverse order, so you get the best last, and I will endeavor to tell you a little about him as we go.
Johnnie Taylor was one of the Stax guys at the time when Stax was HOT. Those who are unfamiliar with Stax records might not know what vinyl is either, but that can be forgivien if you study up on the legacy of these men. They have affected every genre of music that follows, from Soul, to R&B to Hip-Hop to Rock & Roll, to Dance and so on.
Remember that these are my top ten, but with his extensive collected works, you can certainly find your own.
Johnnie Taylor was born Johnnie Harrison Taylor in Crawfordsville, Arkansas on May 5, 1938, and raised in the Memphis area, where he was exposed to a wealth of blues, gospel. Apparently he even lived next door to legendary blues musician Junior Parker.
The first track he ever laid down was when he was part of the Five Echoes, which was a Doo Wopp group under the Chance label in Chicago. He had a lot of similarities in his singing style to Sam Cooke, so in 1957 he replaced Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers. After a few years as a Soul Stirrer, Johnnie was inspired to leave the profession to become a preacher, and then, ironically, Sam Cooke recruited him to the new label (Sar) which had signed Cooke a a result of his success as a solo artist.
During this time, Taylor had a hit with number 10:
10. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” (1962)
After Sam Cooke’s tragic shooting death in December of 1964. It was at that point that Sar records suspended its operations. Johnnie’s career also took a nose dive for a couple of years. Then in 1966, he signed with Memphis based Stax records.
9. “That’s Where its At” – Stax Records
8. “Toe Hold” – Stax Records
7. “I ain’t Particular” – Stax Records
6. “I am somebody (Parts I & II)” – Stax Records
This track was one of his late sixties/revolutionary songs, and it rssonates with the message of the value of the working man. It is quite a piece.
5. “I could never be President” – Stax Records
Despite being a catchy tune, this still carries the political message of the times, and is an early sign of consciousness in black music that was emerging more strongly at the time.
4. “Jody’s Got your Girl & Gone” – Stax Records
Like many of his songs, this one deals with the worries of most men, but, as with the number one on this list, it carries a a moral message like virtually all of Taylor’s songs.
3. “Cheaper to Keep Her” – Stax Records
Before you file for divorce, think about the words of this tune.
2. “Disco Lady” – Stax Records
This was recorded in 1975 in the early days of disco, and has that funk edge that later Disco lost (ultimately leading to it’s demise in mid 1978).
1. “Who’s Makin’ Love?” – Stax Records
Recorded at the height of his Stax popularity, this is also probably the catchiest of all his song catalog.
Unfortunately, none of his later stuff from Columbia Records from 1973 or 1974 until the late 1970’s except “Disco Lady” met with much success, since Columbia apparently underestimated his talent. His brief stint with Beverly Glen Records in 1982, and then with Malaco Records in 1984 and onward did not produce much that I am either familiar with, so none of that material is included here.
Johnnie Taylor died on May 31st, 2000 at the age of 62 as a result of a heart attack. He is buried in Kansas City, Missouri.
He is also probably the most underrated recording artist of his day, in light of his versatility and prolific discography.
Other songs that didn’t make the list, but which are very good are:
“Separation Line”
“Hijackin Love”
“Steal Away”
“I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water”.
