Me and Mrs. Jones – Billy Paul | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: R&B (#1 for 4 weeks) and Pop(#1 for three weeks); 1972

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

Billy Paul began his recording career with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff when they released Billy’s live Feelin’ Good At The Cadillac Club album on Gamble Records in 1968. Although Kenny and Leon performed magic for another Gamble act, The Intruders, Billy wasn’t so fortunate.

Gamble and Huff’s next label was Neptune. Again they released a record on Billy (a cover of Mrs. Robinson) and again Billy’s died, while his label mates, The O’Jays, enjoyed success. A third Gamble/Huff label, Philadelphia International, also included Billy and The O’Jays on its roster.

And once again Billy watched as the O’Jays left him in the dust when Back Stabbers raced to #1. Only this time the familiar story played out differently. Kenny and Leon offered Billy Me And Mrs. Jones. After some initial trepidation, Billy agreed to record it, and the soulful ballad closed out 1972’s R&B and pop charts at #1.

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:

• Kenny Gamble
• Leon Huff

Lyrics Written by:

• Kenny Gamble
• Leon Huff
• Cary Gilbert

Awards:

• Grammy Award: Billy Paul won the 1973 Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for “Me and Mrs. Jones.”
• Grammy Hall of Fame: “Me and Mrs. Jones” inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame for cultural and historical significance.