If You Don't Know Me By Now (1972) 6/24/20

During the '70s, the songwriting team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff helped shape the smooth and soulful “Philadelphia Sound” by writing songs like “Love Train” for the O'Jays, “When Will I see You Again” for the Three Degrees, and “You'll Never Find” for Lou Rawls—all of which we've highlighted in the past several months.

In 1972, they wrote a song for Patti LaBelle that turned out to be a “Great Song of the '70s”... for someone else. For some reason, Patti turned down one of the greatest slow songs of the '70s, but Gamble & Huff were not deterred. They simply handed it over to Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes.

Thanks to the gruff, powerful voice of lead singer Teddy Pendergrass,“If You Don't Know Me By Now” became the Blue Notes' first big hit: #1 on Billboard's Soul Chart, and #3 on the Hot 100. In the UK, it peaked at #9. The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has it on their list of the “Greatest Songs of the 20th Century!)

Before long, Patti LaBelle realized her mistake and made it a part of her live performances for years.

Then, in 1989, the group Simply Red had an even bigger hit with it: #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary Charts,. It was also #1 in Australia and New Zealand...and a Top 10 hit in 11 other countries—including #2 in the UK, Norway and Sweden, and #3 in Canada and The Netherlands.

“If You Don't Know Me By Now:” a “Great Song of 1972...and 1989!” Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes:

Simply Red: