Archie Bell (born in Henderson, Texas on September 1, 1944) & the Drells we… Read Full Bio ↴Archie Bell (born in Henderson, Texas on September 1, 1944) & the Drells were a Houston soul vocal group, one of the main acts on Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records. The band's hits include "Tighten Up" and "I Can't Stop Dancing" (both 1968), "The Soul City Walk" (1976), and "Everybody Have A Good Time" (1977).

Bell, the brother of American footballer Ricky Bell (1955-1984), moved to Houston as a young boy and formed the group in 1966 with his friends James Wise, Willie Parnell and Billy Butler. They signed with local label Ovid.

After a spell in Vietnam for Archie, the group released Tighten Up, which was picked up by Atlantic for distribution and toppped both the R&B and pop charts. The song's line "we dance just as good as we walk" was a little ironic given that Archie had been shot in the leg and was consigned to a military hospital bed at the time.

The phenomenal success of the single prompted the band to rush out an album, despite their incapacitated leader.

In 1969, after Bell had left the army, the group recorded their first full album with Gamble and Huff, I Can't Stop Dancing, which reached number 28 on the R&B chart.

After mediocre chart showings in the late '70s, the group split in 1980. Archie Bell later released one solo album on Beckett Records.

Strategy
Archie Bell and The Drells Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'Strategy' by these artists:

Archie Bell & The Drells Said it's up to me, To come up with a strategy, To…
Chazzy Kaidd I feel the pressure it's imminent Just like a stock I…
D.R.I. Question marks In my head My mouth cried And my eyes bled…
D.R.I. - Dirty Rotten Imbeciles CORPORATE STRATEGY Words & Music by Thomas R. COSGROVE You …
Devon Allman Take your time with me 'Cause we got everything We could eve…
Erik Jackson/Mr. Moods [Mr. Lil One] HAHA motherfuckas Mr. Shadow up in dis motherf…
Fly Rich Double I done came out and went back in it I done…
Gazebo June, 26th 1974 Code number 10/DX02 "Release the astronaut…
Kings Of Swing [MC Lyte] (Useful strategy) [VERSE 1: Sugar Ray] Standin…

Mr. Moods and Erik Jackson [Mr. Lil One] HAHA motherfuckas Mr. Shadow up in dis motherf…
NanaV I've learned your strategy You are not who you appear…
Sean Paul Dutty Yo! Fi di gal dem again yuh know Buss…
Sean Paul - Topic Dutty Yo! Fi di gal dem again yuh know Buss…
Size Mess is too expected By their hand She took places Not to le…
Something for Kate What's wrong? Nothing, nothing An unwelcome reception to the…
V.I.V.E.K Like we don't get tired we get active I'm shining I'm…
宮崎羽衣「渡したくない...」獨りよがりな想いだとしたって By God 真劍勝負運命のBattle field 立ち上がる…

We have lyrics for these tracks by Archie Bell and The Drells:

a Showdown Say man, they tell me you think you're pretty good Don't…
Don Ooh, don't let love get you down Ooh, don't let love…
Don't Let Love Get You Down Ooh, don't let love get you down Ooh, don't let love…
Here I Go Again Oh, darlin' darlin' darlin' (Here I go, here I go, here…
I Can (Oh, no, I just can't stop) I just can't stop dancin'…
I Can't Stop Dancing (Oh, no, I just can't stop) I just can't stop dancin'…
I Love My Baby Ooh, I love my baby I said I love, love Love my…
I Love You Ooh, don't let love get you down Ooh, don't let love…
I've Been Trying I've been tryin' Lord knows that I've been tryin' To underst…
In the Midnight Hour I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour That's when my love…
Knock On Wood I don't want to lose the good thing that I've…
Let's Groove Let's groove tonight Share the spice of life Baby slice it…
Love Will Rain On You Oh! No! No! No! Chotto ma ga sashitanda Sou, boku wa kimi…
Monkey Time There's a place right across town, whenever you're ready Wh…
One Night Affair Hey, wine me and dine me Take me in a way…
Over Your Shoulder My mind was made up a long time ago You were…
Patches I was born and raised down in Alabama On a farm…
Showdown Say man, they tell me you think you're pretty good Don't…
There's Gonna Be A Showdown Say man, they tell me you think you're pretty good Don't…
Tighten Up Hi everybody, I'm Archie Bell of the Drells of Houston,…
Tighten Up Part 2 Hi everybody. I'm Archie Drell and the Drells from Houston,…
Tighten Up Pt. 1 Hi everybody, I'm Archie Bell of the Drells of Houston,…
Tighten' Up Hi everybody. I'm Archie Drell and the Drells from Houston,…
Who's Loving You When I had you I treated you bad And wrong my dear And…
Wrap It Up I've been watchin' you for days now baby I just love…

You When I had you I treated you bad And wrong my dear And…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Davor Colic

3y↑3

Said it's up to me,
To come up with a strategy,
To make you mine,
To make you mine,
Girl why you wanna make me sweat,
Standing there playing hard to get,
All the time,
All the time,
I said it's up to you,
To do what I want you to,
To ease my mind,
To ease my mind,
The way you do the things you do,
Makes me have a charms for you,
All the time,
All the time,
There's no need in teasin', well,
When I know what I need, what I need,
Girl I need you, I need you,
And woman, woman, woman you need, you need me,
Hey!
Said its up to me,
To come up with a strategy,
To make you mine,
To make you mine,
Girl why you wanna make me sweat,
Standing there playing hard to get,
All the time,
All the time,
I said it's up to you,
To do what I want you to,
To ease my mind,
To ease my mind,
The way you do the things you do,
Makes me have charms for you,
All the time,
All the time,
Girl my body's achin', well,
Just to feel the pleasures that you hide, that you hide,
And girl my body's waitin', waitin',
Waitin', waitin', waitin' to get inside-side-side,
Said it's up to me,
To come up with a strategy,
To make you mine,
To make you mine,
Girl why you wanna make me sweat,
Standing there playing hard to get,
All the time,
All the time,
I said it's up to you,
To do what I want you to,
To ease my mind,
To ease my mind,
The way you do the things you do,
Makes me have a charms for you,
All the time,
All the time,
Said it's up to me,
To come up with a strategy, strategy,
Said it's up to me, well,
To come up with a strategy,
I got a song for you,
I got a jones for you,
I got a song for you,
I got a song for you,
I got a strategy, well,
You blow my mind, well,
I gotta I gotta think about it,
You got me soakin' wet, well,
Ain't started lovin' yet, well,
I gotta song for you,
I gotta song for you,
I gotta song for you,
Ain't no sense in teasin', well,
I gotta song for you,
You blow my mind,
'Cause you're so fine,
I gotta song for you, well,
Gotta use my,
Gotta use my strategy,
Gotta use my,
Gotta use my strategy,
Girl, my body's all-achin',
And you got me waitin', well,
It's up to me,
It's up to me,
Girl why you wanna make me sweat,
Girl why you wanna make me sweat,
I gotta song for you,
I gotta song for you,
Well freakay deakay too,
You got me freakay deakay too, well,
I gotta song for you,
Blow my mind,
All the time,
Blow my mind,
All the time, well,
I feel the pleasures that you hide,
I feel the pleasures that you hide,
I got a song for you,
Strategy,
Gotta use my,
Gotta use my,
Use my strategy,
I gotta song for you,
Gotta song for you,
For the pleasures that you hide, well,
All the pleasures that you hide, well,
It's the pleasures that you hide well
Song for you,
Song for you...

All comments from YouTube:

KY258

5y↑103

This song was very underrated. The vocals. the instruments, the engineer did a heck of a job mixing this. Everything about it was on point. Just when you thought it was about over, it would change up on you.

Howard Gaston

5y↑11

The Sound of Philadelphia!!!!

alanizy100

4y↑5

KY258
“Second that Emotion”...you must be in the music biz. That’s why I gots to play it again and again...never gets old!

Jay Singer

3y↑7

And the writers and producers McFadden & Whitehead did a great job giving this song to them.

willard locke jr

3y↑4

Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA.

Willa McCord

2y↑5

Classic cut.
KY258, I agree with you 💯 on this song.

2 More Replies...

TheWright1970

3y↑90

I remember my mom bringing cousin Archie too the house when he came to the house for a concert when this song was out. He sang it live in my basement I'll never forget that. Classic

James Cavolo

2y↑7

very blessed

James Cavolo

2y↑8

extraordinary song and voice

Joanne Hines

1y↑3

Lucky you!!

Taevon Bryant

39w↑1

Dope!!

FAIRNORTH 2

3y↑35

I FELL IN LOVE WITH "STRATEGY" WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 1979, AND IT SOUNDS EVEN BETTER TODAY !!!!.....AWESOME !!!!

Sakeema Daniels

36w

Me too and I was.only 9 nine years old then

willard locke jr

3y↑13

Another classic TSOP jam that still kicks @$$! Real music by real musicians.

Jay Gaston

2y↑2

FACTS! #GambleandHuff!

Love Star

5y↑25

I was searching for this song for so long it was constantly playing in my head cause it’s one of my mother’s favorites she would play this all the time now this is how I keep her memory alive RIP mommy I love you and I miss you❤️❤️🙏🏾

Joanne Hines

1y↑1

Reminds me.of My " Momma Cat".& her.old sweetheart, Peter!! 💘 💃 🎶

overseastom

31w

I love that you had a funky mother, mate. Glad her found one of her fave jams.

Gemini Man

3y↑21

This is a Unbelievable Classic....R&B music is the real deal. 😎👍

William David Craig Jr

5y↑39

This song is so underrated. The Lyrics were classy speaking in code

Buzz Davis

8y↑35

Killer groove! One of their best jams.

karameldreem

5y↑10

One of Houston's finest Archie Bell & The Drells

Dino Trincas

1y↑6

This is funky! What a groove,music by MFSB and of course on Philadelphia records, satisfaction guarantee

bigpoppa 1967

11y↑22

Extremely underated song.

Keep in’ it real 😎

1y↑3

I still love this jam❤Still have it and still play it! When it came out in the summer of ‘79, I had a great time!!!❤

VESUVIUS ENIGMA

4y↑12

The saxophone on this Trac is OFF the LEVEL!

Glenn Townes

9y↑35

I remember my sister playing this jam back in the 1970's..she was a big fan of archie bell and the drills--this track and let's groove were her favorites...still sounds good....

mrsj2910

9y↑8

Timeless! I was lucky enough to see Archie and the drells live in Sept. OUTSTANDING Love,love,love!

cbjrcher1

11y↑6

This was a club banger from back in the day and it still sounds good

Yvette Jackson

7y↑19

THIS JAM IS ROCKING!!!!!!!

Howard Gaston

Yvette Jackson yes indeed!!!!

overseastom

43w↑2

Can't believe I'm just hearing this for the first time now, though I've always loved the main loop, after first hearing it in sampled form in Faithless's "Muhammad Ali" tune (itself a banger). This is absolute fire. What a band.

Lee Lee 1908 Williams

5y↑5

This was the jam!!! I haven’t heard this in a long time... thanks for sharing.

Doc Savage

5y↑10

Wow, I would never have guessed this was Archie Bell and the Drells who did "Tighten Up." Funky soul! Tight percussion track.

ThankTheLord

4y↑3

His voice is very distinctive.

Ricky Smith

1y↑1

@ThankTheLord If by using the word "distinct" that you mean unique, I would have to slightly disagree with you. Archie and Eddie Levert have very similar singing styles. I love both. Eddie might have a slight bit more rasp in his voice.

Latray Abram “Ace Cardia”

4y↑14

✊🏾 “Said it’s up to ME to come up wit a strategy to make you mine” GO HEAD 🎙

Unique Organics Haircare

2y↑1

You feel me lol

chris bennett

4y↑4

Soul to the bone heavyweight groove blues funk grove
I got chills
All live instruments ,real musicians ,real heavy weight deep soul singers
No bullshit computer trickery needed auto cue for singers who carnt sing
60s,70s,80s
Rip real soul real RNB

john q

7y↑11

If there ever was an old school house party jam ......... this is it !!!!!

Bananadiva1

3y↑2

Thank god The Three Degrees recently covered this or I'd never have discovered this amazing song. What a masterpiece!

Caryn D Prescott

8y↑16

omg! I haven't heard this song in decades! Thanks for posting this 💃😀

gary butler

9y↑13

Such a smooth groove,indeed from back in the day,yes!

TheAteeyah

11y↑6

I was 14 when this jam came out.Nice,,,,,,,my second favorite song from them.My first is I could have dance all night.

Pat Mackie

3y↑2

Fell in love with this after hearing the 1st cpl seconds many yrs ago & yes still love it.. Quality tune.

Sheila Johnson

7y↑47

I m 56-year-old still jam to this smooth groove baby, stragdy💝

ALKHEMICAL TALKS

4y↑1

I'm 49, and that's a fact!!!

William Pettis

@ALKHEMICAL TALKS 8 jvm NHS nun nun n nun nnnhjq

ALKHEMICAL TALKS

@William Pettis anuk kanum pahuut

tlc64

6y↑7

Love this song

Davor Colic

3y↑3

gui2001

6y↑18

This track remind me my first sound system in 1979..... tears in my eyes to remember that time....

BROOKLYN'SOWN LADYDOTDAVIS

4y↑2

my first summer on my own!!!! yes, the times, the memories--PRICELESS!!

gmurray658

5y↑15

Give the background singers props...especially starting @ 3:15

Carla Benson

3y↑6

as one of the background singers, I gotta say "THANK YOU"!!!!

CHICAGOWIND81

3y↑3

@Carla Benson You sound absolutely gorgeous 😍

Howard Gaston

3y↑1

@Carla Benson how cool is that? Strategeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! Hell yeah!!!!

gmurray658

3y↑1

@carla, wow a celebrity in my world

Sergeant333

8y↑17

And Still A Smokin' Hot Disco/Soul Gem...Timeless!

Kelvin Mays

8y↑59

the bass line is kicking

alanizy100

4y↑1

Underlying underlining deep essence..I feel you Kelvin Mays!!

gmurray658

Yes!

High Crimes

3y↑3

Damn! Archie & The Drells came out of the 1960’s in New York. During the ‘70’s, I lived in Baltimore and this didn’t get radio air time in ‘79. Great skate song!

Teresa Hayes

1y↑3

Timeless Classic and still 2 stepping to this

karameldreem

10y↑30

this song is still jammin!

willard locke jr

2y↑1

October 2021 and I'm still jammin' to this song. TSOP FOREVER!!

Dj Nick

6y↑3

This is real music !!!!!!

Tony Tudor

2y↑1

Fantastic song. The Faithless sampled this to have a huge hit too.

darren young

33w↑1

never get tied of this classic

Al Cuffia

11y↑4

My favorite AB/Drells cut!! Funky personified!!

karameldreem

11y↑2

I love this song! :)

Hildefonso Sousa

8y↑1

Está aí uma das minhas preferidas, tema de noites de São Paulo em grande estilo, muitos me achavam louco, outros simplesmente um cara que conhece o que é bom no que se refere-se Funk Original da Black Music. ou seja BANANA POWER !
1982. Sem problema nenhum....

Dawn Paige

2y↑6

My older sister Beverlee love this song by Archie Bell & The Drells Strategy she played this song 2 death this was one of her back in the day music before she passed away. She even had their album.

Carl McNeil

7y↑9

Old school group still jams

Gina Bourne

42w

I had forgotten about this song until I heard it today. I used to love this song back in middle school. Thanks Woody @ Sirius XM radio for the memories.

Sandra Jones

7y↑15

Old school party at my house every night! AB&D are straight up cooking!

Sidney Hunt

I'm with you

Michelle Walton

3y↑1

Now this is what you call Back In Da Day 🎵🎵🎵🎵 Music

Mario Hall

43w

Yes, sir! Talk about an underrated classic musical gem!

Tiffany

34w↑2

I have not heard this song in at least 20 years but as soon as it came on Sirius itmade me get up on my seat and shake my Ass.

Sheila Johnson

7y↑2

Thanks for the great work on this song, priceless baby, no others.✌🌹

rexa garvin

9y↑3

Archie Bell and the Drells forever!!

Randy Surratt

2y↑1

It’s July 12th 2022 and I’m still digging this one 💙💙💙💙

Mohamed SEGHIRI

5y↑29

The Sound Of Philadelphia. TSOP. Mother Father Sister Brother. MFSB. Thank you very much Mr. Archie Bell.

Howard Gaston

5y↑1

Mohamed SEGHIRI yessir!!!!

James Kaunda

7y↑10

My best Archie bell song.........Groovy!

gmurray658

5y↑1

Loving the talents musicians possess , chkout the horns at timeline 5.50 forward!

donluke578

12y↑2

All I ever remember from these guys....a few years ago.....was Tighten Up......never heard this one till they started playin it at the skatin rinks.......great tune.....!!!

Tino HiFi

La Voce di Archie Bell in questa song è la quintessenza del Soul !!!

Rodney Thomas

7y↑23

Still Jammin in my mind good time my girlfriend who became my wife !

alanizy100

4y↑1

Same here Rodney, wife and me still grooving to this, 40 years later...5 kids and 11 grands

Jorge NO-REMIX

4y↑1

When we dance with joy and pleasure, let´s thank to those great bass players....

karameldreem

10y↑8

i have to always listen to this song several songs. I love it . :)

nostalgia носталгия

4y↑1

Heard this yesterday at a restaurant and I thought, "this sounds familiar." Then I started to wonder what the band was that performed this song. Somehow I linked this song to the likes of Peter Gabriel. Now I have discovered the artist, and I am amazed I had not heard the bands name before. However, it might just be one of the best 70s songs altogether I have have heard!

Luther Odaniels jr

46w

Real music. These guys had real game. I Guess no strategy, no victory

margix

2y↑4

AMAZING SONG! I've just discoverd now thanks to DJ Distruction

Billy Kay

5y↑4

What a groovy chooon. Timeless.

Howard Gaston

CHOON!!!!!!!

Joanne Hines

1y↑1

Dedicate this to My Momma Cat & her old boyfriend, Peter; this takes me back to '79 when they were together!! The good ole days!! Continue to RIHP Momma Cat!! 💘

SunbeamsSting

10y↑10

Awesome Music!!

Beverly Robinson

9y↑46

This song is HOT and SMOKING! One of my favorite personal jamz!!

Sandra Jones

7y↑1

Sho nuff!!!

alanizy100

Beverly Robinson
Right with babe! One of mine too..not many understand

Paul Walker

5y↑3

I was born in 1974 today was my first time hearing this cut i almost lost my job something come over me i turned up the volume when i say i dance to this cut Yesss lovee old school 🎶

Angela Hurdle

4y↑2

Haven't heard this in a long time thanks for sharing

Mannchild11

12y↑4

Never heard this and all it took was 5 seconds for me to know that I would love it.

Glenroy Clarke

8y↑3

This was a jammer in the days love it, go Archie Bell an de crue, wicked 12_7_ 2016

Rue Barb

11y↑9

This was such a underrated cut!! i lve dis song,philly international was da best hands down!!!!

Dominic Hetherington

6y↑1

Rue Barb with you on that rue I've loved Philly int since my youth I'm now unfortunately 66 still what a great ride God bless gamble and huff

Matt Jackson

9y↑1

gotta love this choon, always goes down well at my over30s night - Soulful Seduction at the woodmans arms thundersley essex, uk... 3rd Friday of every month!

Tomikk86

12y↑2

awesome tune!

Jamil Muhammad

7y↑15

Yes SUH!! Howard University in 1979... Groovin'! This cut is proof the PIR came up outta 309 S Broad with some strong stuff!

Keith Delaney

7y↑4

Philly International!

Ron from the BK

2y↑1

Definitely a groove

Tarryl Rosier

1y↑1

I remember WBLS in NYC used to play this when it came out. I still jam this in 2022, and gonna jam it 2023.

wolwerone

13y↑10

wonderful philly sound !! :)

Kenneth Craddock

Archie brother of USC's great Running Back Ricky Bell who played for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wikipedia doesn't even mention it. I know it's true because watching a University of Southern California Trojans game Archie was on the sidelines and the ABC announcer mentioned the Brother connection. I have loved A.B. and the Drells since "Tighten Up". Much talent came out of Texas. Barry White, Sly Stone and his brother Freddy and sister Rose, Larry Graham and many more. Love this Philadelphia International cut.

Mannchild11

11y

I was there back in the day and both bands that I played in covered a handful of their songs.

caddyjoint96

6y↑8

Funk at its best.

Shag W

11y↑4

Just got through reading a story about the late, great Ricky Bell, college and football player. Didn't know he and Archie were brothers.

Kenneth Craddock

Shag Wilburn
Yes l used to watch USC Trojan's games on ABC only to see Archie sitting on the sidelines of USC and the announcer mentioned he and Ricky were brothers. Wikipedia doesn't even mention it. I was a USC fan as a kid ABC channel 7 in New York and New Jersey often broadcast the power teams and USC was one of them. Ricky Bell went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers high in the draft but died of heart issues 7 years later.

Sandra Jones

7y↑22

Summer of 1979 this was the jam in Flint!

alanizy100

Was the jam in NYC too

cg3 gallon

Holla FLINTSTONE!

Ethel Stevens Love

8y↑3

Great classic......

huw Morrish

4y↑2

I got a jones for you!.. you got me freaky deaky too!..still plays in my mind 40yrs later, yes underrated.

king midas

8y↑12

my dad's favorite jam!

tim priddy

Strong and solid...........nuff said

James Munoz

36w

Real funk! Rhythm makes you want to move!

Don't Sleep!

8y↑8

Smooth!...this song flows!..

Mary M

5y↑3

Two step & hand dance! Yessss!!! 💃🎶🎵💃 2019!

Giuliano Grassi

9y↑6

Fantastico!!!

Damon Furbush

2y↑1

I remember Archie Bell & The Drells - "Strategy" from the Seabrook Maryland Roller Skating Rink as a teen last 70's. We would try to roll/bounce with the "grown" folks on this Jam. Still a classis.