Betcha By Golly Wow - Stylistics (1972) 12/28/20

In 1970, singer/actress Connie Stevens released a single called “Keep Going Strong,” and although the song was an early effort by the songwriting team of by Linda Creed and Thom Bell (who went on to write classics for the Spinners, Delfonics, and even Elton John), it was pretty much a dud on the charts.

In 1972, Creed and Bell started writing songs for The Stylistics and came up with winners like “I'm Stone in Love With You,” which we highlighted back on October 31st: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/222629602543828

When the Stylistics asked them for another sure-fire Creed/Bell hit, Linda and Thom dusted off “Keep Going Strong,” made a few changes to the arrangement and re-titled it, “Betcha By Golly Wow.”

Well, thanks to the incredible falsetto of Russell Tompkins, Jr., the new version became a “Great Song of 1972,” reaching #2 on Billboard's Soul Chart, #3 on the Hot 100 and #7 on the Adult Contemporary Chart!

It also became a standard slow song at dances—especially wedding dances.

Linda Creed and Thom Bell had written another hit! All they had to do was take an old song and change just about everything! :-) “Betcha By Golly Wow!”

But wait...there's MORE!

In late 1996, Prince covered the song. Apparently he had wanted to do his own version for quite some time, but his record company (Warner Bros.) said, “No.” (How do you say “no” to Prince??) But after a while, he finally got approval, and was able to release the single on his wife Mayte Garcia's birthday. In the video, she plays herself in a doctor's office, confirming she is pregnant and revealing this to Prince when he walks into the room.

As you might imagine, Prince's version was a hit...charting on 5 DIFFERENT Billboard Charts at the same time. (Note: By 1996, Billboard had diversified their charts to cater to a wider array of radio formats and record sales, and there were far more than the original half dozen or so.) It reached #10 on both the Hot R&B and Rhythmic Top 40 charts, #23 on the Mainstream Top 40, #31 on the Hot 100 and #38 on the Hot Adult 40!”

The Stylistics (1972):

Prince (1996):

“Keep Going Strong!”

Connie Stevens (1970):