If You Wouldn't Be My Lady

Album: Through the Eyes of Love (1970)
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Songfacts®:

  • This is another composition for Ray Charles written by the songwriting team of Jimmy Holiday and Eddie Reeves. It was written in a house on the beach in Los Angeles at Ocean Front Walk and Driftwood near Marina del Rey. Eddie Reeves told us an uncannily specific tale of the drudgery of songwriting: "I remember sitting at that piano and not touching a key for over an hour until I finally attempted an idea. I discarded this idea and continued to solemnly sit on the piano bench until the next idea came stumbling forth. I did this from mid morning until mid afternoon until I finally discovered an idea that took root."
  • Nashville hit producer Billy Sherrill recorded the song with Charlie Rich on his Behind Closed Doors album. That would take off to sell over four million copies, making the Charlie Rich version the better-known cover. (Check out Eddie Reeves' story.)

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