Could It Be I'm Falling in Love
Encyclopedia
"Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" is a 1972
song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners
(known as "Detroit Spinners" in the UK). The song was co-written by Melvin and Mervin Steals who were two songwriter brothers working for Atlantic
, who were sometimes credited as "Mystro and Lyric." It was produced by Thom Bell
. Bobby Smith
sings lead through most of the song while Philippé Wynne
handles vocal duties on the song's outro. Released as the follow-up single to the group's first hit for Atlantic Records
, "I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" would equal the success of its predecessor, peaking at number one on the R&B chart and number four on the Billboard Pop Singles
chart and selling over one million copies. The song also found success in the UK, peaking at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart
.
The song has been covered many times over the years, including a duet by David Grant
and Jaki Graham
(which peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart in 1985) and versions by Regina Belle
, El Barrio
, Messenjah
, Worlds Apart
, Peter White
, Jeff Kashiwa
, Donny Osmond
, Earl Klugh
and Houston Person
.
1972 in music
-Events:*January 17 – Highway 51 South in Memphis, Tennessee is renamed "Elvis Presley Boulevard"*January 20 – The début of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at The Dome, Brighton, is halted by technical difficulties,...
song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners
The Spinners (U.S. band)
The Spinners is a soul music vocal group, active for over 50 years, and with a long run of pop and R&B hits especially during the 1970s. The group, originating from Detroit, still tours regularly ....
(known as "Detroit Spinners" in the UK). The song was co-written by Melvin and Mervin Steals who were two songwriter brothers working for Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, who were sometimes credited as "Mystro and Lyric." It was produced by Thom Bell
Thom Bell
Thomas Randolph "Thom" Bell is an American songwriter and producer, best known as one of the creators of the Philadelphia style of soul music in the 1970s. He moved to Philadelphia as a child.-Biography:...
. Bobby Smith
Bobby Smith (R&B singer)
Robert "Bobby" Smith is an American R&B singer, noted as the principal lead singer of the soul vocal group, The Spinners, also known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners....
sings lead through most of the song while Philippé Wynne
Philippe Wynne
Philippé Wynne , born Phillip Walker, was an American R&B singer. Best known for his role as the lead singer of The Spinners , Wynne scored notable hits such as "How Could I Let You Get Away", "The Rubberband Man",and "One of a Kind ",...
handles vocal duties on the song's outro. Released as the follow-up single to the group's first hit for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, "I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" would equal the success of its predecessor, peaking at number one on the R&B chart and number four on the Billboard Pop Singles
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...
chart and selling over one million copies. The song also found success in the UK, peaking at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
The song has been covered many times over the years, including a duet by David Grant
David Grant (singer)
David Grant is an English pop singer and celebrity vocal coach.-Career:Grant became famous in the early 1980s as a member of UK soul/funk duo, Linx, whose biggest hit was Intuition in 1981. He began a solo career in 1983 with the Top 40 hit "Stop and Go"...
and Jaki Graham
Jaki Graham
Jaki Graham is an English singer. Her biggest international success was reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1994, with her cover version of Chaka Khan's hit, "Ain't Nobody"....
(which peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart in 1985) and versions by Regina Belle
Regina Belle
Regina Belle is a singer-songwriter who first surfaced in the late 1980s. She is notable for her Grammy award winning duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World".-Biography:Regina Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey...
, El Barrio
El Barrio (band)
El Barrio is a Spanish new flamenco group, of which José Luis Figuereo is the singer. Nowadays,he is known as one of the more well-rounded artists from Andalucia, as he is not only a singer, he is also...
, Messenjah
Messenjah
Messenjah was a Canadian-based reggae group that flourished to become one of the most successful and popular reggae groups in the history of Canadian music.-History:...
, Worlds Apart
Worlds Apart (boyband)
Worlds Apart were a multi-national boy band of the 1990s that featured Marcus Patrick in the original group and Totally Scott-Lee's Nathan Moore in one of the later incarnations of the band...
, Peter White
Peter White (musician)
Peter White is a smooth jazz and jazz fusion guitarist. He also plays the accordion and the piano. His brother, Danny White, was one of the original members who formed the UK based band Matt Bianco.-Career:...
, Jeff Kashiwa
Jeff Kashiwa
Jeff Kashiwa is a jazz saxophonist native to Seattle who became known on the music scene in 1989 as a member of popular fusion jazz group The Rippingtons. Kashiwa joined The Rippingtons following Brandon Fields, exit from the group...
, Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond
Donald Clark "Donny" Osmond is an American singer, musician, actor, dancer, radio personality, and former teen idol. Osmond has also been a talk and game show host, record producer and author. In the mid 1960s, he and four of his elder brothers gained fame as the Osmond Brothers on the long...
, Earl Klugh
Earl Klugh
Earl Klugh is an American smooth jazz/crossover jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and composer.At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins when Atkins made an appearance on the Perry Como Show. Klugh was a performing guest on several of Atkins' albums...
and Houston Person
Houston Person
Houston Person is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. Person is also known for his distinctive sassy sound and his expressive style of playing...
.
The Spinners Version Credits
- Lead vocals by Bobby SmithBobby Smith (R&B singer)Robert "Bobby" Smith is an American R&B singer, noted as the principal lead singer of the soul vocal group, The Spinners, also known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners....
and Philippé WynnePhilippe WynnePhilippé Wynne , born Phillip Walker, was an American R&B singer. Best known for his role as the lead singer of The Spinners , Wynne scored notable hits such as "How Could I Let You Get Away", "The Rubberband Man",and "One of a Kind ",... - Background vocals by Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Pervis JacksonPervis JacksonPervis Jackson was an American R&B singer, noted as the bass singer for The Spinners, and was one of the group's original members.-Life and career:...
, Henry FambroughHenry FambroughHenry Fambrough is an original vocalist and current member of the R&B quintet The Spinners . He is one of two active original members of the Spinners...
and Billy HendersonBilly HendersonWilliam "Billy" Henderson was an English professional footballer. He was born in Whitburn, County Durham.Billy Henderson, a right-back, began his career with his local side Whitburn from whom he joined Brighton & Hove Albion... - Additional Background vocals by Linda CreedLinda CreedLinda Creed also known by her married name Linda Epstein, was an American singer-songwriter and lyricist who teamed up with songwriter-producer Thom Bell to produce some of the most successful Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s.-Career:Born in Philadelphia in 1949, Creed was raised in the...
, Barbara IngramBarbara IngramBarbara Jane Ingram was an American R&B singer-songwriter, who was active throughout the early 1970s until the mid-late 1980s, enjoying modest success a backup singer for almost two decades.-Career:...
, Carla Benson and Yvette Benton - Instrumentation by various Philadelphia area musicians
Chart history
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart 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... |
4 |
| U.S. Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
1 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
11 |