Chart Performance: Pop (#1), R&B (#1), and Dance (#11) ; 1977
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Earth, Wind & Fire’s leader, Maurice White, first encountered the three Hutchinson sisters – Wanda, Sheila, and Jeanette – in the early 1960’s when they were singing gospel as the Heavenly Sunbeams. In the late 60’s, the girls switched to soul music, sister Pamela replaced Jeanette, and the siblings – now called the Emotions – scored a dozen chart singles, including the R&B #3 So I Can Love You. When their label folded, White brought the Emotions into his production company. On their first outing together, the group landed a double-sided hit on the R&B list; the #13 I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love and the #16 Flowers. For the trio’s next single, White and EW&F guitarist wrote Best Of My Love. With White producing, various EW&F members playing, and Wanda singing an octave out of her range, Best Of My Love was a flat-out masterpiece. It became a platinum seller and won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2023 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Maurice White
- Clarence McDonald
Lyrics Written by:
- Maurice White
- Al McKay
Awards:
- Won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals at the 20th Annual Grammy Awards in 1977
- Won an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single
- Top 40 Weekly Top Songs of the 70s Chart Position: #11
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).
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