Color Him Father
Encyclopedia
"Color Him Father" is a song released by funk
and soul
group The Winstons
.
It was released in 1969, and reached number 2 on the R&B charts and number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100
that same year. Its composer, Richard Lewis Spencer
, won a Grammy Award
for Best R&B song
in 1970
.
"Color Him Father" is one of the most known songs by The Winstons
. It was released as a single, and the B-side contained a song entitled "Amen, Brother". "Amen, Brother" contains what has now become one of the most heavily sampled
drum breaks in the history of electronic music
, especially jungle
and breakbeat hardcore
. This break has become known as the Amen Break
.
"Color Him Father" is an unabashedly sentimental song in which a schoolboy expresses his love for his stepfather, a hardworking and generous man who married the widowed mother of seven children and embraced them as his own after her first husband was "killed in the war." The word "Color", in this sense, means "Label" or "To Call".
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
group The Winstons
The Winstons
The Winstons were a 1960s funk and soul music group, based in Washington, D.C.. They are known for their 1969 recording of an EP featuring a song entitled "Color Him Father" on the A-side, and a song entitled "Amen, Brother" on the B-side. Half-way into "Amen, Brother", there is a drum solo The...
.
It was released in 1969, and reached number 2 on the R&B charts and number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
that same year. Its composer, Richard Lewis Spencer
Richard Lewis Spencer
Richard Lewis Spencer is an African American musician and teacher. He played tenor saxophone in Otis Redding's band, behind Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions with The Winstons. He was awarded the Grammy Award for his composition "Color Him Father"...
, won a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best R&B song
Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song has been awarded since 1959. From 1969 to 2000 it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, from 1962 to 1968 it was known as Best Rhythm & Blues Recording, and from 1959-1961 as Best Rhythm & Blues Performance...
in 1970
Grammy Awards of 1970
The 12th Grammy Awards were held on March 11, 1970. They recognized accomplishments of musicians for the year 1969.-Award winners:*Record of the Year**Bones Howe & The 5th Dimension for "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In"*Album of the Year...
.
"Color Him Father" is one of the most known songs by The Winstons
The Winstons
The Winstons were a 1960s funk and soul music group, based in Washington, D.C.. They are known for their 1969 recording of an EP featuring a song entitled "Color Him Father" on the A-side, and a song entitled "Amen, Brother" on the B-side. Half-way into "Amen, Brother", there is a drum solo The...
. It was released as a single, and the B-side contained a song entitled "Amen, Brother". "Amen, Brother" contains what has now become one of the most heavily sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
drum breaks in the history of electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, especially jungle
Jungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
and breakbeat hardcore
Breakbeat hardcore
Breakbeat hardcore is a derivative of the acid house and techno, of the late 1980s and early 1990s, that combines four-to-the-floor rhythms with breakbeats, and is associated with the UK rave scene.-The rave scene:...
. This break has become known as the Amen Break
Amen break
The Amen break is a brief drum solo performed in 1969 by Gregory Cylvester "G. C." Coleman in the song "Amen, Brother" performed by the 1960s funk and soul outfit The Winstons...
.
"Color Him Father" is an unabashedly sentimental song in which a schoolboy expresses his love for his stepfather, a hardworking and generous man who married the widowed mother of seven children and embraced them as his own after her first husband was "killed in the war." The word "Color", in this sense, means "Label" or "To Call".
Cover versions
- Linda MartellLinda MartellLinda Martell, born Thelma Bynem , is an American rhythm and blues and country music singer. In August 1969, she became the first African-American woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:...
had a Top 25 countryCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
hit in 1969 with her version of the song. - Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo is an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.-Early life:From early on he had an appreciation for the blues and gospel music...
covered the song on his 2001 album Big Wide GrinBig Wide GrinBig Wide Grin is a blues album by Keb' Mo', it was released in 2001 by the Sony Wonder record label.- Track listing :# "Everybody Be Yoself" Big Wide Grin is a blues album by Keb' Mo', it was released in 2001 by the Sony Wonder record label.- Track listing :# "Everybody Be Yoself" Big Wide Grin is...