The hit song was crafted by Philadelphia’s legendary songwriting and production duo, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Released on their own label, Philadelphia International Records, it became the company’s only track to ever reach the top of the UK charts.
Lead vocalist Sheila Ferguson of The Three Degrees later reflected on her first encounter with the song in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh. She recalled that when Gamble played it for her on the piano in 1973, she was far from impressed. “I threw a tantrum,” she admitted. “I thought it was far too simple and took no talent to sing.” Despite her initial resistance, the group recorded the track—and millions of sales later, Ferguson conceded that Gamble had been right all along.
Just months earlier, The Three Degrees had provided the vocals for “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia),” their first collaboration with Philadelphia International Records. That song became a U.S. chart-topper and gained lasting fame as the theme for the television show Soul Train.
