Joe Tex
Encyclopedia
Joseph Arrington, Jr. better known as "Joe Tex", was an American Southern soul
singer-songwriter
, most popular during the 1960s and 1970s. His style of speaking over music, which he called 'rap', made him a predecessor of the modern style of music.
, Tex was subsequently raised in the Central Texas town of Rogers
. His professional career as a singer began onstage at the Apollo
. He won first place in a 1954 talent contest and duly secured a record deal
.
His early releases on King Records
, Ace
and Anna Records were considered by some to be derivative and were generally disappointing in terms of sales. Tex released thirty singles in the first ten years of his recording career, never once hitting the Hot 100. However, after James Brown
's cover version
of Tex's "Baby You're Right" became a US number 2 hit in 1962, Tex was signed to Dial Records
by Nashville, Tennessee
-based record producer
Buddy Killen
, and his career turned around.
Tex prospered under Killen's guidance. Tex's first hit recording was 1965's "Hold What You've Got", recorded at the FAME studio
in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
and distributed by Atlantic
on Killen's Dial record label. "Hold What You've Got" spent 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100
, peaking at #5, and sold a million copies by 1966.
Other singles followed, namely "A Woman Can Change a Man", and "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" which were both ballad
s. But a change in tempo also brought hits such as "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" (1966), and "Show Me" (1967). Tex's recording career was distinguished by his extensive single releases. For example, in 1965 alone, Tex released seven singles, followed by six in 1966 and five in 1967. He had released over thirty singles prior to the release of his first album, in 1965.
Meanwhile the singles "Skinny Legs and All" (US #10) and "Men Are Getting Scarce" also became major hits for Tex. "Skinny Legs And All" was Tex's second million seller spending 15 weeks in the charts. The single was released in late 1967, and is the same version that appeared on his later pseudo-live album "Live And Lively". He was awarded a gold disc
by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) in January 1968. His last major hit of that time was "I Gotcha
". "I Gotcha" also penned by Tex and released in January 1972, went to #2 for two weeks, and stayed for 20 weeks in the listings. The RIAA gold disc award was made on March 22, 1972. It went on to sell over two million copies by August that year. Following its release, Tex decided to retire.
He returned to music in 1975, and two years later enjoyed a comeback hit with "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)", which reached U.S. #12. By the 1980s he had withdrawn again from full-time performing. He devoted himself to Islam
, his Texas ranch and the Houston Oilers American Football team.
began after Brown, who Tex felt copied his stage moves, began dating Tex's wife, Bea Ford. In response, Tex wrote a song called "You Keep Her." They played a few more shows together until Tex mocked James Brown's act of throwing a cape over his shoulder and screamed "please - get me out of this cape". Brown later fired a gun at Tex in a nightclub.
On August 13, 1982, Joe Tex died at his home in Navasota, Texas
, following a heart attack
, just five days after his 49th birthday.
's I Want To (Do Everything for You)
and Phish
who performed "You Better Believe It Baby" on July 26, 1998 at the Starplex Amphitheater in Dallas, Texas and again on August 2, 1998 at Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. The rock band The Trews
covered "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" in 2009 on their acoustic album, Acoustic - Friends & Total Strangers
. Lawrence "Lipbone" Redding
covered "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" on his 2011 album, "Unbroken".
's Reservoir Dogs
(1992). Tarantino also uses "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" in Death Proof
(2007).
Southern soul
Southern soul is a type of soul music that emerged from the Southern United States. The music originated from a combination of styles, including blues , country, early rock and roll, and a strong gospel influence that emanated from the sounds of Southern African-American churches. The focus of the...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, most popular during the 1960s and 1970s. His style of speaking over music, which he called 'rap', made him a predecessor of the modern style of music.
Career
Born in Baytown, TexasBaytown, Texas
Baytown is a city within Harris County and partially in Chambers County in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S. state of Texas. Located within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, it lies along both State Highway 146 and Interstate 10. As of 2010, Baytown had an population of 71,802...
, Tex was subsequently raised in the Central Texas town of Rogers
Rogers, Texas
Rogers is a town in Bell County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,117 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. His professional career as a singer began onstage at the Apollo
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
. He won first place in a 1954 talent contest and duly secured a record deal
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
.
His early releases on King Records
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
, Ace
Ace Records (US)
Ace Records was a record label that was started in August 1955 in Jackson, Mississippi by Johnny Vincent, with Teem Records as its budget subsidiary. Ace also had the Vin label. Its records were distributed independently until 1962 when a distribution arrangement was set up with Vee-Jay Records....
and Anna Records were considered by some to be derivative and were generally disappointing in terms of sales. Tex released thirty singles in the first ten years of his recording career, never once hitting the Hot 100. However, after James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
's cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Tex's "Baby You're Right" became a US number 2 hit in 1962, Tex was signed to Dial Records
Dial Records (1964)
A second Dial Records label was a New Orleans soul label formed by Nashville-based song publisher/plugger/producer Buddy Killen in 1964.This label was formed specifically so Killen could record perhaps his best-known discovery, soul singer Joe Tex...
by Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
-based record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Buddy Killen
Buddy Killen
William Doyce “Buddy” Killen was a record producer and music publisher, and a former owner of Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the largest country music publishing business, before he sold it in 1989...
, and his career turned around.
Tex prospered under Killen's guidance. Tex's first hit recording was 1965's "Hold What You've Got", recorded at the FAME studio
FAME Studios
FAME Studios are located at 603 East Avalon in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. They have been an integral part of American popular music from the late 1950s to the present...
in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
and distributed by 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...
on Killen's Dial record label. "Hold What You've Got" spent 11 weeks 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...
, peaking at #5, and sold a million copies by 1966.
Other singles followed, namely "A Woman Can Change a Man", and "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" which were both ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s. But a change in tempo also brought hits such as "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" (1966), and "Show Me" (1967). Tex's recording career was distinguished by his extensive single releases. For example, in 1965 alone, Tex released seven singles, followed by six in 1966 and five in 1967. He had released over thirty singles prior to the release of his first album, in 1965.
Meanwhile the singles "Skinny Legs and All" (US #10) and "Men Are Getting Scarce" also became major hits for Tex. "Skinny Legs And All" was Tex's second million seller spending 15 weeks in the charts. The single was released in late 1967, and is the same version that appeared on his later pseudo-live album "Live And Lively". He was awarded a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA) in January 1968. His last major hit of that time was "I Gotcha
I Gotcha (Joe Tex song)
"I Gotcha" is a song by Joe Tex. Tex originally intended for the song to be recorded by King Floyd, but Floyd never recorded a version of it. Instead, Tex went ahead and recorded it himself in the late 1960s, but ended up not releasing it...
". "I Gotcha" also penned by Tex and released in January 1972, went to #2 for two weeks, and stayed for 20 weeks in the listings. The RIAA gold disc award was made on March 22, 1972. It went on to sell over two million copies by August that year. Following its release, Tex decided to retire.
He returned to music in 1975, and two years later enjoyed a comeback hit with "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)", which reached U.S. #12. By the 1980s he had withdrawn again from full-time performing. He devoted himself to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, his Texas ranch and the Houston Oilers American Football team.
Rivalry with James Brown
A feud between Tex and fellow labelmate James BrownJames Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
began after Brown, who Tex felt copied his stage moves, began dating Tex's wife, Bea Ford. In response, Tex wrote a song called "You Keep Her." They played a few more shows together until Tex mocked James Brown's act of throwing a cape over his shoulder and screamed "please - get me out of this cape". Brown later fired a gun at Tex in a nightclub.
Personal life and death
A convert to the Muslim faith since 1966, he changed his name to Yusuf Hazziez, and toured as a spiritual lecturer. He has one daughter, Eartha Doucet, and four sons, Joseph Arrington III, Ramadan Hazziez, Jwaade Hazziez and Joseph Hazziez.On August 13, 1982, Joe Tex died at his home in Navasota, Texas
Navasota, Texas
Navasota is a city in Grimes County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,789 at the 2000 census. In 2005, the Texas Legislature named the city "The Blues Capital of Texas," in honor of the late Mance Lipscomb, a Navasota native and blues musician....
, following a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, just five days after his 49th birthday.
Covers by other artists
Several other artists have covered Tex's work, including the rock band NazarethNazareth (band)
Nazareth is a Scottish hard rock band, founded in 1968, that had several hits in the UK in the early 1970s, and established an international audience with their 1975 album Hair of the Dog. Perhaps their best-known hit single was a cover of the ballad "Love Hurts", in 1975...
's I Want To (Do Everything for You)
I Want To (Do Everything for You)
"I Want To " is a 1965 R&B hit written and performed by Joe Tex. The single was his second number one on the R&B chart in the U.S., where it stayed for three weeks. "I Want To " was also Joe Tex's second Top 40 entry on the Billboard Hot 100.The song has been covered by Nazareth among...
and Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
who performed "You Better Believe It Baby" on July 26, 1998 at the Starplex Amphitheater in Dallas, Texas and again on August 2, 1998 at Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. The rock band The Trews
The Trews
The Trews are a Canadian rock band from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, consisting of vocalist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Sean Dalton...
covered "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" in 2009 on their acoustic album, Acoustic - Friends & Total Strangers
Acoustic - Friends & Total Strangers
Acoustic – Friends & Total Strangers is both a live acoustic album and a music DVD by Canadian rock band The Trews. The CD is the fifth commercial album and second live album by the band. The DVD is the first from the band. Both were released October 6, 2009 on Bumstead Records...
. Lawrence "Lipbone" Redding
Lawrence "Lipbone" Redding
Lawrence "Lipbone" Redding is an American born songwriter, guitarist, singer, composer and performance artist. He is most noted for his ability to imitate accurately brass instruments and incorporate them into live musical performances. The name LIPBONE is a contraction of “Lip Trombone”...
covered "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" on his 2011 album, "Unbroken".
Albums
- 1965 Hold On To What You've Got (Dial RecordsDial Records (1964)A second Dial Records label was a New Orleans soul label formed by Nashville-based song publisher/plugger/producer Buddy Killen in 1964.This label was formed specifically so Killen could record perhaps his best-known discovery, soul singer Joe Tex...
, distributed by Atlantic RecordsAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
) - US Pop #124, US R&B #2 - 1965 The New Boss (Dial/Atlantic) - US #142, US R&B #3
- 1966 Show Me (Dial/Atlantic)
- 1966 The Love You SaveThe Love You Save"The Love You Save" is a 1970 number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. It held the number-one spot on the soul singles chart for six weeks. It held the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks, from June 27 to July 4, 1970...
(Dial/Atlantic) - US #108 - 1966 I've Got to Do a Little Better (Dial/Atlantic)
- 1967 The Best of Joe Tex (Dial/Atlantic)
- 1968 Live And Lively (Dial/Atlantic) - US #84
- 1968 Soul Country (Dial/Atlantic) - US #154
- 1969 Buying a Book (Dial/Atlantic) - US #190
- 1969 Happy Soul (Dial/Atlantic)
- 1969 You Better Get It (Dial/Atlantic)
- 1970 With Strings And Things (Dial/Atlantic)
- 1972 I GotchaI Gotcha (Joe Tex song)"I Gotcha" is a song by Joe Tex. Tex originally intended for the song to be recorded by King Floyd, but Floyd never recorded a version of it. Instead, Tex went ahead and recorded it himself in the late 1960s, but ended up not releasing it...
(Dial) - US # 17 - 1972 Spill the Beans (Dial)
- 1976 Have You everHave You Ever"Have You Ever?" is a R&B ballad written by Diane Warren for Brandy's second studio album, Never Say Never. It was produced by David Foster and released as the album's third single during the fall of 1998. The single became Brandy's second song to reach the top position on the Billboard Hot 100...
(Mercury NetherlandsMercury RecordsMercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
) - NL #6338693 - 1977 Bumps & Bruises (EpicEpic RecordsEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
) - US #108 - 1978 Rub Down (Epic)
- 1978 He Who Is Without Funk Cast the First Stone (Dial)
Singles
- 1965 "I Want To (Do Everything For You)I Want To (Do Everything for You)"I Want To " is a 1965 R&B hit written and performed by Joe Tex. The single was his second number one on the R&B chart in the U.S., where it stayed for three weeks. "I Want To " was also Joe Tex's second Top 40 entry on the Billboard Hot 100.The song has been covered by Nazareth among...
" R&B #1 - 1965 "Hold What You've GotHold What You've Got"Hold What You've Got" is a 1964 single by Joe Tex. The single was his second chart release and first to reach the Billboard Hot 100. "Hold What You've Got" went to number one on the Cash Box R&B chart and reached number five on the pop chart....
" U.S. #5 - 1966 "A Sweet Woman Like YouA Sweet Woman Like You"A Sweet Woman Like You" is a 1965 single written and performed by Joe Tex. The single is the follow-up to his crossover hit, "I Want To "...
" R&B #1 - 1966 "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)"
- 1966 "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M.(The Letter Song)"
- 1966 "I Believe I'm Gonna Make It"
- 1966 "I've Got To Do a Little Bit Better"
- 1966 "Papa Was, Too"
- 1967 "Show Me"
- 1967 "Skinny Legs and All"
- 1968 "Chicken Crazy / Buying A Book"
- 1968 "I'll Never Do You Wrong / Wooden Spoon"
- 1968 "Keep The One You Got / Go Home And Do It"
- 1968 "Men Are Gettin' Scarce / You're Gonna Thank Me, Woman"
- 1972 "I GotchaI Gotcha (Joe Tex song)"I Gotcha" is a song by Joe Tex. Tex originally intended for the song to be recorded by King Floyd, but Floyd never recorded a version of it. Instead, Tex went ahead and recorded it himself in the late 1960s, but ended up not releasing it...
" R&B #1, U.S. #2 - 1972 "Cat's Got Her Tongue / Woman Stealer"
- 1976 "Have You EverHave You Ever"Have You Ever?" is a R&B ballad written by Diane Warren for Brandy's second studio album, Never Say Never. It was produced by David Foster and released as the album's third single during the fall of 1998. The single became Brandy's second song to reach the top position on the Billboard Hot 100...
" NL #33 - 1976 "Love Shortage"
- 1977 "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)" U.S. #12, UKUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
#2 - 1979 "Loose CabooseLoose CabooseLoose Caboose is a reggae band from Massachusetts. Formed in January of 1972 as Road Hog, in 1975 the band changed to The Alan Fuller Band. The band was inspired by the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and other reggae visionaries...
"
Soundtracks
"I Gotcha" is used in both the film and soundtrack of Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
's Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs is an American crime film marking debut of director and writer Quentin Tarantino. It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, but not the heist itself. Reservoir Dogs stars an ensemble cast: Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and...
(1992). Tarantino also uses "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" in Death Proof
Death Proof
Death Proof is a 2007 American action thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film centers on a psychopathic stunt man who stalks young women before murdering them in staged car accidents using his "death-proof" stunt car...
(2007).
External links
- Joe Tex - I Gotcha at superseventies.com
- Joe Tex - The New Boss: Dial Sessions And Dates