Strawberry Letter 23 - The Brothers Johnson (1977)

"Strawberry Letter 23" is a song written by Shuggie Otis, although known most prominently by the version done by The Brothers Johnson. Otis wrote the song for a girlfriend who used strawberry-scented paper when she wrote letters to him. George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis' cousins when he came across "Freedom Flight", Otis' 1972 album that featured the song. The group later recorded it for their 1977 album "Right On Time", under the legendary producer Quincy Jones, and the album went platinum. "Strawberry Letter 23", as recorded by The Brothers Johnson in a funkier, more dance-oriented vein than the original Otis version, hit the Hot 100 and peaked at number five and reached number one on the Soul Singles chart in 1977. The famous guitar solo in this song was originally recorded by Shuggie Otis. Studio guitar player and future jazz superstar Lee Ritenour later recreated Shuggie Otis' original solo for The Brothers Johnson 1977 album. The Brothers Johnson is a band consisting of American musicians, and brothers, George aka 'Lightnin' Licks' and Louis Jagger Johnson aka 'Thunder Thumbs'. Guitarist/vocalist George and bassist/vocalist Louis formed the band Johnson Three Plus One with older brother Tommy, and their cousin Alex Weir, while attending school in Los Angeles, California. When they became professionals, the band backed such touring R&B acts as Bobby Womack and The Supremes. George and Louis Johnson later joined Billy Preston's band, and wrote "Music In My Life" and "The Kids And Me" for him before leaving his group in 1973. In 1976, The Brothers Johnson covered The Beatles' song "Hey Jude" for the ephemeral musical documentary "All This And World War II". Quincy Jones hired them to play on his LP "Mellow Madness", and recorded four of their songs. After touring as the opening act for various artists like Bobby Womack and Billy Preston, Quincy Jones hired them for a tour in Japan and produced their debut album "Look Out For #1", released in March 1976. Their album "Right On Time" was released in May 1977 and reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 200. Their styles include funk, disco, and R&B ballads. This channel is dedicated to all the great 'old school' R&B music I grew up with, the stuff that originally made me tap my feet and want to be a DJ. Funk, soul, disco, R&B, dance, hip-hop, pop . . . 60s, 70s, 80s . . . whatever you call it, it's all 'Old School' and it's all here!

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;~}

Copyright 1977 A&M Records
All Rights Reserved

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Strawberry
• Letter
• 23
• Shuggie
• Otis
• Brothers
• Johnson
• George
• 1977
• Right
• On
• Time
• Quincy
• Jones
• dance
• soul
• guitar
• jazz
• Lee
• Ritenour
• Lightnin'
• Licks
• Louis
• Thunder
• Thumbs
• Los
• Angeles
• California
• R&B
• Billy
• Preston
• Bobby
• Womack
• disco
• old
• school
• funk
• pop
• Longevity
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• Buddy
• Love

[SC1337]

i have this song on record lol 

[Ihakarov88]

Great Tune Still Getting Love from 2011

[DUGMAC1973]

Sam L putting a bullet into Chris Tucker's character in my fave film Jackie Brown..

[johnshea999]

22 love letters were sent, or received? Number 23 did the trick!! Love these guys.

[blueticktr]

My Dad bought this album for me when it came out. I wore the hell out of the entire album and had to memorize all the songs. As much as I played it while reading the lyrics on the jacket. The music in this was genius. I loved the bass lines and guitar solo. But, I had no friggin' idea what this song was about. Lyrics made no sense at all. Even now, I still have no idea. Maybe it was the ice cream truck chimes in the song that drew me. Great memories, Great song!!

[lenoxroad]

@angeldemuerte74 Great music is for the people, it doesn't matter what race you are.

[LeggyMnomWoman]

Is there no one who loves this song doesn't get a CHILL when they hear the beginning of this song?? I DONT THINK SO! LOVE IT!! Miss them cool songs that were about LOVE!!

[LeggyMnomWoman]

Is there no one who loves this song doesn't get a CHILL when they hear the beginning of this song?? I DONT THINK SO! LOVE IT!! Miss them cool songs that were about LOVE!!

[angeldemuerte74]

Great thing about music. It transcends all cultural boundaries. Forgive my political incorrectness, but most black people would look at me and think of how much of a fucking redneck looking bastard I am and would never think that I would love a song like this. Great song.

[yogiethebear1]

This song came out 1year before I was married, still love to listen to it