I'll Be Good to You

"I'll Be Good to You"
US single picture sleeve
Single by The Brothers Johnson
from the album Look Out for #1
B-side"The Devil"
ReleasedApril 1976
GenreR&B, disco
Length3:30 (Single Edit)
4:44 (Album Version)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Quincy Jones
The Brothers Johnson singles chronology
"I'll Be Good to You"
(1976)
"Get the Funk Out Ma Face"
(1976)
"I'll Be Good to You"
Single by Quincy Jones featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan
from the album Back on the Block
ReleasedSeptember 22, 1989
GenreNew jack swing
Length4:17 (Single edit)
4:54 (Album Version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • George Johnson
  • Louis Johnson
  • Sonora Sam
Producer(s)Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones singles chronology
"I'll Be Good to You"
(1989)
"The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)"
(1990)

"I'll Be Good to You" is a 1976 hit song by R&B duo the Brothers Johnson. George Johnson, one of the two Johnson brothers in the band, wrote the song after deciding to commit to a relationship with one woman, instead of dating several at a time. While George was recording a demo for the song, family friend Senora Sam came by and added some lyrics.[1] Brothers Johnson producer and mentor Quincy Jones heard the song, liked it, and convinced George to sing lead on the finished track. Released from their debut album, Look Out for #1, it was a top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot Singles Charts, peaking at number three, and a number one song on the Billboard R&B Charts during the summer of 1976.[2] The single was later certified gold by the RIAA.

Thirteen years later in 1989, it became a number one R&B hit again, with Chaka Khan and Ray Charles doing the lead vocals on Quincy Jones' Back on the Block album, and went to number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.[3] It also topped the American dance chart in early 1990.[4] This was Ray Charles' first No. 1 R&B hit in twenty-four years.

Chart performance

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The Brothers Johnson version

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Quincy Jones featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan version

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Chart (1989–90) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop) 34
Canada (Canadian Singles Chart) 48
Germany (GfK Entertainment Charts ) 28
Ireland (Irish Singles Chart) 18
Netherlands (Dutch Singles Chart) 38
New Zealand (New Zealand Singles Chart) 7
United Kingdom (UK Singles Chart) 21
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 18
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary 30
U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles 1 (2)
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1

Personnel

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Cover versions

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References

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  1. ^ allmusic
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 80.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 307.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 139.
  5. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 7/24/76". Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  7. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 26, No. 14 & 15, January 08 1977". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  8. ^ Musicoutfitters.com
  9. ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1976". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
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See also

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