Conley was born in McIntosh County, Georgia and grew up in Atlanta. He first recorded in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. With this group he released three singles from 1963 through 1964 (Poor Girl, I Believe, and Flossie Mae) on the Atlanta-based label National Recording Company.
In 1964 he moved to a new label (Ru-Jac Records) and released I'm a Lonely Stranger. When Otis Redding heard it he asked Conley to record a new version, which became the second release on Redding's own fledgling label Jotis Records.
Conley met Otis Redding in 1967. After this meeting Redding took Conley under his care and taught him the fine points of the music business. Together they rewrote the Sam Cooke song Yeah Man into Sweet Soul Music, which at Redding's insistence was released on the Atco-distributed label Fame Records. It proved a massive hit and went to the number two position on the U.S. charts and the Top Ten across much of Europe. It is said that Conley never accepted Otis Redding's death of December 1967.
After several years of lackluster singles in the early 1970s he relocated to England in 1975 and then spent several years in Belgium before settling in the Dutch village of Ruurlo and the cultural centre of Ganzenhoef (an extension southeast of Amsterdam) in 1980. He legally changed his name to Lee Roberts (his middle name and his mother's maiden name). He occupied himself with promoting new music by means of his Art-Con Productions company and was also active as a designer of specialized tapestries and furniture.
A live performance on January 8, 1980 featuring Lee Roberts & the Sweaters was released as an album titled Soulin' in 1988.
He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, Netherlands at age 57.
Sweet Soul Music
Arthur Conley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That sweet soul music
Just as long as it's swingin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Out here on the floor now
We're going to a go go
Ah dancin to the music
Spotlight on Lou Rawls y'all
Ah don't he look tall y'all
Singin' loves a hurtin' thing now
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on Sam and Dave now
Ah don't they look boss y'all
Singin' hold on I'm comin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on Wilson Pickett
That wicked picket Pickett
Singin Mustang Sally
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on Otis Redding now
Singing fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on James Brown now
He's the king of them all, y'all
He's the king of them all, y'all
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Do you like good music
That sweet soul music
Just as long as it's swingin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Do you like good music
That sweet soul music
Arthur Conley's 1967 hit song "Sweet Soul Music" is a tribute to the powerful voices and infectious rhythms of the R&B and soul artists of the time. The song celebrates the genre and its performers, with a series of spotlights on different singers, as well as an invitation to dance and enjoy the music. Conley sets the stage with a call-and-response opening, asking the listener if they like good music, and assuring them that sweet soul music is the kind they're going to love, as long as it's swinging.
The song's rhythm and beat are irresistible, and Conley's vocals are full of energy and passion. He name-drops several of the most popular soul singers of the time, including Lou Rawls, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, and James Brown, each getting their own spotlight with a descriptive phrase about their looks or singing style, followed by a snippet of one of their songs. The repetition of the phrase "oh yeah, oh yeah" throughout the song adds to the excitement and sense of joy and fun that the music embodies.
Overall, "Sweet Soul Music" is an upbeat and catchy song that celebrates the power and influence of R&B and soul music in the 1960s. It captures the essence of the feeling that good music can bring, and invites listeners to join in the celebration on the dance floor.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you like good music
Are you a fan of quality music
That sweet soul music
Specifically referring to soul music that has a unique, enjoyable sound
Just as long as it's swingin'
As long as it has a good rhythm and beat
Oh yeah, oh yeah
An expression of enthusiasm and agreement
Out here on the floor now
Now that we're dancing in the club
We're going to a go go
We're headed to a high-energy, soul music dance gathering
Ah dancin to the music
Having a great time moving to the sweet soul music
Spotlight on Lou Rawls y'all
Lou Rawls, a soul music singer, has the spotlight and our attention
Ah don't he look tall y'all
A playful observation that Lou Rawls looks tall on stage
Singin' loves a hurtin' thing now
He's currently singing about the pain of love
Spotlight on Sam and Dave now
Sam and Dave, another soul music duo, have the spotlight
Ah don't they look boss y'all
A playful observation that Sam and Dave look cool on stage
Singin' hold on I'm comin'
They're currently singing their hit song, Hold On I'm Comin'
Spotlight on Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett, yet another soul music singer, has the spotlight
That wicked picket Pickett
A playful reference to Wilson Pickett, who has a reputation for being intense on stage
Singin Mustang Sally
He's currently singing his hit song, Mustang Sally
Spotlight on Otis Redding now
Otis Redding, a popular soul music singer, now has the spotlight
Singing fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
He's currently singing his hit song, Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Repeating the lyrics of his current song
Oh yeah, oh yeah
An expression of enthusiasm and agreement
Spotlight on James Brown now
The spotlight is now on James Brown, a highly acclaimed soul musician
He's the king of them all, y'all
James Brown is highly regarded as the king of soul music
Do you like good music
Repeating the first line to emphasize the importance of good quality music
That sweet soul music
Repeating the second line to emphasize the importance of soul music in particular
Just as long as it's swingin'
Repeating the third line to emphasize the importance of a good rhythm and beat
Oh yeah, oh yeah
An expression of enthusiasm and agreement
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Lee Conley, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hazzawazza1000
Do you like good music
That sweet soul music
Just as long as it's swingin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Out here on the floor now
We're going to a go go
Ah dancin to the music
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on Lou Rawls y'all
Ah don't he look tall y'all
Singin' loves a hurtin' thing now
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on Sam and Dave now
Ah don't they look boss y'all
Singin' hold on I'm comin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on Wilson Pickett
That wicked picket Pickett
Singin Mustang Sally
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on Otis Redding now
Singing fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Spotlight on James Brown now
He's the king of them all, yeah
He's the king of them all, yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
@ABritInThePhilippines
I love good music, and this is just awesome...
@ralfhaggstrom9862
Sure is ! ........
@breakevenbernie8543
It's the signature tune
@paulrobilotti9294
and after all this time still is good music
@ralfhaggstrom9862
It sure is ! ..........
@stevendewar8951
It gets me off my arse too, and I'm only 49!!😁👍
@lovelydove5996
This song will make the old folks in nursing homes get out of their chairs!!
@mrtoptenatten
O ye o ye......
@cathyberry9579
Gosh, will they let old folks request these songs? Hope so? Name that tune?
😁🎶🎶✌🤔👍😷❤
@danaluha5019
🤣😭😅