1971 Billy Preston – I Wrote A Simple Song (US:#77)
“I Wrote a Simple Song” is a song by American soul musician Billy Preston that was first released as the title track to his album of the same name in November 1971. It was written by Preston and his regular collaborator, Joe Greene. The song was also Preston’s first single on A&M Records, following the end of his tenure on the Beatles’ Apple record label. In the United States, it peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100. Radio programmers there soon favored the B-side, the instrumental “Outa-Space”, which had been Preston’s choice for the lead side. “Outa-Space” became a breakthrough US hit for Preston and his first RIAA-certified gold single. The single was released in Britain on January 21, 1972.
The recording features a guest appearance from Preston’s Apple producer, George Harrison, on dobro, and an orchestral arrangement by Quincy Jones. The song serves as an example of Preston’s continuing association with Harrison after the Beatles’ break-up, despite his departure for A&M. Its release followed Preston’s well-received performance of “That’s the Way God Planned It” at Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh shows on August 1, 1971, which had raised Preston’s public profile.
Album
I Wrote A Simple Song is the sixth studio album by American soul musician Billy Preston. Released in November 1971, it was his first album for A&M Records and marked the start of a run of commercial success in the United States that lasted through to the late 1970s. The album includes the hit single […]
Musicians
| Drums | Manuel Kellough |
| Dobro | George Harrison |
| Guitar | David T Walker |
| Keyboards | Billy Preston |
| Sax | Rocky Peoples |
| Trumpet | Carlos Garnett |
| Congas | King Errisson |
| Background Vocals | Clydie King |
| Background Vocals | Douglas Gibbs |
| Background Vocals | Duane Rogers |
| Background Vocals | Eugene Bryant |
| Background Vocals | Jesse Kirkland |
| Background Vocals | Merry Clayton |
| Background Vocals | Myrna Matthews |
| Background Vocals | Patrice Holloway |
| Background Vocals | Sherrell Artwood |
| Background Vocals | Venetta Fields |
| Vocals | Billy Preston |
Produced By
Billy Preston
Songwriters
Billy Preston
Joe Greene
Charts
US:#77
UK:# –