Betcha By Golly Wow!

Album: The Stylistics (1971)
Charted: 13 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Like many of The Stylistics' hits, this song was written by Linda Creed and Thom Bell. Creed wrote the lyrics to many soul classics, including The Greatest Love Of All, which was a huge hit for Whitney Houston shortly before Creed died from cancer. Bell is a producer who was a key figure in the Philadelphia Soul sound, working with acts like The Spinners and The O'Jays. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jeff - Austin, TX
  • In this song, the singer is crazy in love. So much so that he can't formulate real words to express who he feels, and just strings together some G-rated expressions.
  • Prince recorded "Betcha By Golly Wow!" on his 1996 album Emancipation. Released as a single, it went to #31 on the US Airplay chart and #11 on the UK singles chart.

    It's a rare cover by Prince, and it came with a video that showed him being paged to the hospital where his wife, Mayte Garcia, was giving birth. There are also scenes with an array of dancers, including the star gymnast Dominique Dawes.

    Garcia and Prince really did have a child around this time, but he was born with a rare skull disorder and died a week later. The video premiered after his death, which Prince kept secret.
  • In addition to Prince, Aaron Neville and the Sugababes also covered the song, and Mariah Carey sampled it for her 2005 song "Stay The Night."

Comments: 6

  • AnonymousLove all the songs by the Stylistics they will forever and always be remembered and treasured!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1972 {March 26th} "Betcha By Golly, Wow" by the Stylistics peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles* chart, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "In The Rain" by the Dramatics...
    Also at the time, "Betcha By Golly, Wow" was at position #14 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, and five weeks later it would peak at #3 {for 1 week}...
    Between 1971 and 1992 the Philadelphia soul group had thirty two records on the Hot Soul Singles chart, thirteen made the Top 10 with the above "Betcha By Golly, Wow" being their biggest hit...
    Russell Allen Thompkins Jr., the falsetto voiced lead singer of the group, celebrated his 69th birthday five days ago on March 21st, 2020...
    * And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Hot Soul Singles' Top 10 on March 26th, 1972:
    At #3. "Do Your Thing" by Isaac Hayes
    #4. "Rockin' Robin" by Michael Jackson
    #5. "I Had It All The Time" by Tyrone Davis
    #6. "King Heroin" by James Brown
    #7. "Day Dreaming" by Aretha Franklin
    #8. "I Gotcha" by Joe Tex
    #9. "Hearsay" by the Soul Children
    #10. "Now Run and Tell That" by Denise LaSalle
  • Mary Helen from HomeThe song was originally recorded by Connie Stevens as, Keep Growing Strong a year before the Stylistics cover was a big hit. http://youtu.be/uTokIbPQyB0
  • Tammi from Dumont, NjIt should be mentioned that a great version of this song was recorded by the late Phyllis Hyman. Her version is marvelous and lush. It can be found on both Norman Connors album (original place) and in her catalog of songs.
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaThis is one of those PERFECT Philadelphia Soul gems. You just don't want it to end so soon.
  • Jeff from Austin, TxA true classic! This song is SOOOO underrated. I was happy when Prince covered it, thinking maybe more people would discover what an amazing song this is.
    The lyrics are so simple and basic, yet so heartfelt and genuine. And the melody..trust me, it will get stuck in your head for days. Amazing song from top to bottom.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.