Substitute

Album: Substitute (1977)
Charted: 2 67
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was originally recorded by The Righteous Brothers. Released as a single in 1975, it went nowhere but was revived in 1977 by Clout, a 5-member, all-girl band from South Africa that was managed and produced by Graeme Beggs, who also worked with the acts Charisma and The Soweto String Quartet. Clout was brand new, and Beggs had them record this song as their first single - sort of. He had the girls sing on it, but used a band called Circus to play the instruments.

    The song became a surprise hit, going to #1 in South Africa, New Zealand and parts of Europe. It also made #2 in the UK (behind "You're The One That I Want" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John) and #67 in America.

    This put them in a tough spot, since their breakout hit was actually recorded by a male band. Clout added a male member in 1978 and had a few other hits in South Africa, including "Save Me" and "Under Fire," but split up in 1981. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Greg Bond - Weare, NH
  • The song is about a guy whose girl isn't treating him right, with the singer letting him know that she'll step in for her and take care of him whenever he'd like.

    Transposing the gender was a little tricky: In the original Righteous Brothers version, they sing:

    Girl, you've been waiting much too long now

    The Clout version assigns a name to this person:

    Sam, you've been waiting much too long now
  • This was written by Willie Wilson, who also wrote and recorded a song called "Counterfeit" and another called "My Ship." He wrote "I Hope She Chooses Me," recorded by Tavares.
  • The disco diva Gloria Gaynor recorded this song in 1978 at the behest of her record label. At the same session, she recorded a song called "I Will Survive," which was released as the B-side of her "Substitute" single. This single stalled at #107 in the US, but many DJs flipped it and played the B-side, so it was released with the sides reversed and "I Will Survive" shot to #1.

    Gaynor's version uses the same lyrics as Clout's - it's likely that someone in her camp heard the Clout version and thought Gaynor could make it a hit in America.

Comments: 1

  • Fernando from LisbonI am portuguese living in lisbon 65 years and after more than 40 years i remember very well that beautiful SUBSTITUTE song that stayed in my memory forever. I would like to know if the 5 ladies are still alive and to congratulate them, as well as to all those involved in this musical success
    Very Attentively
    Fernando
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.