The group was formed in 1968 by Isaac Hayes and David Porter of Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, after one of the label's top acts, Sam & Dave, left Stax to join the Atlantic label. As leading songwriters and producers for the label, Hayes and Porter put together a vocal group with two male and two female singers, all of whom sang lead on some of the group's recordings. The original members were Norman West, John Colbert (aka J. Blackfoot), Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett. Colbert – who had been known from childhood as Blackfoot for his habit of walking barefoot on the tarred sidewalks of Memphis during the hot summers – had recorded solo singles before joining The Bar-Kays as lead singer, after four original band members were killed with Otis Redding in a plane crash. Anita Louis was a backing singer on some of the records produced by Hayes and Porter. Shelbra Bennett had recently joined the label as a singer. Norman West, Jr., the last to join the group, grew up in Louisiana, and sang in church with his brothers Joe, James, and Robert. He replaced William Bell as a member of The Del-Rios in 1962, later recorded several unsuccessful solo singles in Memphis, and sang with a rock band, Colors Incorporated, which had been formed by members of Jerry Lee Lewis' band.
The group's first record, "Give 'Em Love", produced by Hayes and Porter and released in late 1968, was a Bilboard R&B chart hit, as were two follow-ups. Their fourth single, "The Sweeter He Is", became one of their biggest hits, reaching no. 7 on the R&B chart in late 1969 and no. 52 on the Hot 100. The group also released their first album, Soul Children, in 1969. Musicians used on the recordings included Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson, Jr., of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, as well as Hayes. However, after the group had a minor hit with a slowed-down version of "Hold On, I'm Coming" in early 1970, Hayes left the project to develop his solo career. The group recorded a second album, Best of Two Worlds, at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, but their next few singles failed to make the charts. In 1972, they recorded another album, Genesis, arranged by Dale Warren and produced by Jim Stewart and Al Jackson, which produced another hit single, "Hearsay". Written by West and Colbert, it reached no. 5 on the R&B chart and no. 44 on the US pop chart. They appeared at the Wattstax concert in August 1972, and followed up with several smaller hit singles. In 1973, they recorded the ballad "I'll Be the Other Woman", written and produced by Homer Banks and Carl Hampton, and with lead vocals by Shelbra Bennett, which became their biggest hit, reaching no. 3 on the R&B chart and no. 36 on the pop chart. They also recorded a final album for Stax with Banks and Hampton, Friction.
The Soul Children left Stax in 1975, and Bennett left for a solo career. The trio of West, Colbert and Louis signed to Epic Records in 1976, releasing an album, Finders Keepers and several moderately successful singles. Their second album for Epic, Where Is Your Woman Tonight (1977), reunited the group with producer David Porter. Porter then signed the group to a reactivated Stax label established by Fantasy Records, and co-produced another album for the group, Open Door Policy (1978). However, it was less successful than their earlier recordings, and the group decided to split up in 1979.
After the group split up, Anita Louis left the music business and later worked for Federal Express, Time-Warner, and as a professional business trainer. Norman West continued working in night clubs and as a gospel singer and musician. J. Blackfoot became a successful solo singer; his biggest hit was "Taxi" in early 1984, which reached no. 4 on the R&B chart. Shelbra Bennett recorded several singles as Shelbra Deane in the late 1970s and early 1980s; her biggest solo success was "Don't Touch Me" (no. 50 R&B, 1977).
In 2007, West and Blackfoot decided to reform the Soul Children, adding two new singers, Ann Hines and Cassandra Graham. They recorded an album, Still Standing for JEA Right Now Records. West released a single in 2008 called "Long Ride Home."
Original members
Shelbra Bennett (later Shelbra Deane) (born Memphis, Tennessee)
John Colbert aka J. Blackfoot (born November 20, 1946, Greenville, Mississippi, US; died November 30, 2011)
Anita Louis (born November 24, 1949, Memphis, Tennessee)
Norman Richard West, Jr. (born October 30, 1939, Monroe, Louisiana)
The Sweeter He Is
The Soul Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(The longer the pain is gonna last)
I didn't ask to fall in love with you
But you were so sweet
Tell me what else could I do?
But one day you said
(Oh,yes, you did)
And my heart's still aching
From this terrible blow
The sweeter he is
The longer the pain is gonna last
(Oh, yes, it will)
In your own way
You made me feel like a queen
You built me up so high
(Oh, yes, you did)
Oh, I gave you my everything
Oh, but one day
You took your good love away
(Oh, yeah)
And oh, that's why I'm here
Suffering, suffering today
The sweeter he is
The longer the pain is gonna last
(Oh, yes, it will)
The sweeter he is
The longer the pain is gonna last
(Oh, yes, it will)
"The Sweeter He Is" is a soulful ballad that addresses the distressing reality of one-sided love. It tells the story of a woman who is helplessly in love with someone who she believes is sweet and kind to her. She did not choose to fall in love with him, but his sweet demeanor led her to believe that she had no other option. He made her feel like a queen and lifted her up high. She gave him everything she had, but one day he took his love away, leaving her heartbroken and suffering. The longer she had loved him, the more painful it was to let go. The song title, "The Sweeter He Is," implies that the more love she had invested in him, the harder it was to move on from the pain he caused her.
The lyrics capture the innocence and vulnerability of the female protagonist's heart, illustrating how she fell in love with someone she believed was the one, only to come to terms with the harsh reality of unreciprocated feelings. It highlights the aspirations and fears of a woman's heart, exemplifying how love, which can bring immense joy and happiness, can also lead to heartache and pain. The song's slow tempo and the melodious background music complement the lyrics' melancholic tone.
Line by Line Meaning
The sweeter he is
When someone is really sweet and kind, the heartbreak lasts even longer.
(The longer the pain is gonna last)
The longer the time you'll have to endure the pain.
I didn't ask to fall in love with you
Falling in love was not a conscious decision.
But you were so sweet
Your kind and affectionate nature made it easy to fall for you.
Tell me what else could I do?
There seemed to be no other option for me.
But one day you said
Suddenly, you spoke out your mind one day.
You didn't want me no more
You no longer wanted to be with me.
(Oh,yes, you did)
You did indeed say it.
And my heart's still aching
My heart is still in pain.
From this terrible blow
Because of your sudden rejection.
In your own way
In your own unique style/values.
You made me feel like a queen
You treated me like royalty.
You built me up so high
You elevated me to great heights.
(Oh, yes, you did)
You definitely did so.
Oh, I gave you my everything
I gave you my all and my best.
Oh, but one day
However, one day out of the blue,
You took your good love away
You withdrew your affection and love from me.
(Oh, yeah)
It's true, unexpected to me also.
And oh, that's why I'm here
That's the reason why even now,
Suffering, suffering today
I'm still in pain.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID PORTER, ISAAC HAYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nichelehunt4519
I want to thank my momma for exposing me to this type of music daily as a child growing up in the 80s. RIP momma!
@dxjiendxja
yeah!
you're good now!
@jeffreybrown3430
I want to thank my Great Aunt for exposing me to this great music 52 years ago when it had mainstream airplay .. Im now 58 years old and I still cherish this music
@lucillehancock2975
Yes we still be playing this now
@bmb2210
My mommy’s favorite song ♥️ played it religiously lol
@robinrichardson3814
5
@terribrown8103
Who's still listening in 2024? Timeless.
@SharonSellars500
#LoveIt
@littlems3349
am I the only 24 year old that listening to this song today. and understand every word of this song. OMG go how I wish I had life in these days seem to me the elderly live the best life. cause these kind of music not even making again
@rosegibbs5009
David Porter and IsaacHayes were some awesome writers! Damn I miss all the soulful music and songs they used to sing back in the day!!!!