Gimme Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis Group | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#7); 1967

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

Steve Winwood – founding member of Traffic and solo hitmaker – was only 12 in 1960, and already playing in brother Mervyn’s jazz band. Drummer Peter York signed on and, after the group’s repertoire became blusier, musician friend Spencer Davis suggested they all pool their talents.

In mid-1963, the Spencer Davis Group moved from its Birmingham home base to London’s Flamingo club. 1964 saw them release their take on John Lee Hooker’s Dimples, followed by their first UK chart entry, I Can’t Stand It.

After a couple more minor performers, the SPG hit the top in 1966 with two songs originally recorded by Jackie Edwards; Keep On Running and Somebody Help Me. The end of the year found them at #2 with Gimme Some Lovin’, written by Winwood.

This time the States also caught on, and in February, 1967, Lovin’ peaked at #7. While I’m A Man reached #10 and Somebody Help Me struggled to #47 in the U.S., Steve and Mervyn handed in their resignations, and the Spencer Davis Group was soon history.

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

  • Chris Blackwell
  • Jimmy Miller

Lyrics Written by:

  • Steve Winwood
  • Spencer Davis
  • Muff Winwood

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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).