I Keep Forgetting – Patti LaBelle | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Did Not Chart; 2005
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Jerry Lieber was beside himself with joy. After listening to the playback of soul singer Chuck Jackson’s stunning version of I Keep Forgettin’ – written with Mike Stoller – the lyricist was convinced they had yet another hit on their hands.
The Miracles’ Smokey Robinson cautioned Jerry that the song was simply too far ahead of its time to succeed. Sadly, he was right. Even though Jackson was coming off his smash single, Any Day Now, the Top 40 fans of 1962 didn’t embrace the follow-up.
Twenty years later, the times had caught up with Lieber and Stoller’s song, much to the delight of Michael McDonald, who rode it to #4 on the Hot 100 and #7 on the rhythm list. Other singers soon followed Michael’s lead. In 1983 David Bowie waxed it, and Ringo Starr did likewise in 1984.
Another twenty years down the road, I Keep Forgettin’ enjoyed yet another revival, this time by Joe Cocker and the inimitable Patti LaBelle.
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:
- Babyface
- Daryl Simmons
- Gregg Pagani
Lyrics Written by:
- Michael McDonald
- Ed Sanford
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).