Songwriters Behind Philly Soul's Biggest Hits

 One of the subjects I could have talked more about with Nick Bambach during his Rock in Retrospect podcast (with me as guest) on the Spinners were the songwriters behind their hits. Writers who shaped the Philly Sound through their words and music.  Most casual Spinners fans might think that Thom Bell not only Produced all their hits but co-wrote them as well.  But that is not entirely the case. Along with Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Thom Bell moved Philly Soul from a regional sound to a worldwide phenomenon in the 70's.  Bell's co-writing credits on the Spinners' hits include "I'll Be Around", "Ghetto Child", "I'm Coming Home", "Living A Little, Laughing A Little", "Rubberband Man" and "Are You Ready For Love".  On the first five songs mentioned, Bell shares a writing credit with lyricist Linda Creed. In addition, there's the Quiet Storm classic the two wrote called "I Don't Want To Lose You", which was covered in 1977 by Phyllis Hyman.  Hyman also had a #14 R&B hit with Bell & Creed's "Old Friend" in 1986. 

  Before she was writing hits for the Spinners, Linda Creed had already sealed her status as one of the best lyricists in Pop music by co-writing, with Bell, most of the Stylistics biggest hits.  "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)". "Betcha By Golly Wow", "I'm Stone In Love With You", "You Make Me Feel Brand New", "Rockin' Roll Baby", "Break Up To Make Up". "You Are Everything", "People Make The World Go Round". All those songs with the Stylistics, plus the ones she co-wrote for the Spinners make Creed a major figure in the evolution of Philly Soul. In the 1977 she co-wrote "Greatest Love of All" which was first a hit for George Benson, then in 1985 a massive #1 for Whitney Houston.  Some other favorites: "Old Friend" by Phyllis Hyman, "Hold Me" by Teddy Pendergrass/Whitney Houston and "Life Is A Song Worth Singing" by Johnny Mathis/Teddy Pendergrass. 

  Sadly, Linda Creed died of cancer in 1986 at the age of 37.  She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992 (Bell in 2006).

  Three other names played a part in the Spinners success. Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes and Joseph B. Jefferson. Together the three wrote "Mighty Love", "Games People Play", "Love or Leave" and "Sadie".  Plus classic album tracks like "Since I Been Gone".  Jefferson wrote "One Of A Kind (Love Affair)", and with Simmons "Love Don't Love Nobody".  And a bunch of deep cuts that Spinners fanatics love like "I'm Tired of Giving".  Hawes died in 2021 and Jefferson in 2020.