Harold Melvin

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About If You Don't Know Me by Now

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and recorded by the Philly soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. It became their first hit after being released as a single in September 1972, topping the US R&B chart and peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100."If You Don't Know Me by Now" was originally written for Labelle (a trio led by Patti LaBelle) but they never recorded it. Much like the issue with "I Miss You" and The Dells passing on it, the song's composers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff gave it to Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which featured Teddy Pendergrass as lead vocalist. In addition to the single release, the track was included on their debut album I Miss You. Patti LaBelle later made the song as part of her concert repertoire in 1982; a live version appears on her 1985 album, Patti. "If You Don't Know Me by Now" has since been covered by a number of other artists, most notably the English pop/soul band Simply Red, who took their version to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.more »

Year:: 2002
: 3:34
: 2,703Views
Playlists:: #4

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If you don't know me by nowYou will never never never know meAll the things that we've been throughYou should understand me like I understand youNow girl I know the difference between right and wrongI ain't gonna do nothing to break up our happy homeOh don't get so excited when I come home a little late at night'Cause we only act like children when we argue fuss and fightIf you don't know me by now (If you don't know me)You will never never never know me (No you won't)If you don't know me by nowYou will never never never know meWe've all got our own funny moodsI've got mine, woman you've got yours tooJust trust in me like I trust in youAs long as we've been together it should be so easy to doJust get yourself together or we might as well say goodbyeWhat good is a love affair when you can't see eye to eye, ohIf you don't know me by now (If you don't know me)You will never never never know me (No you won't)If you don't know me by now (You will never never never know me)You will never never never know me (ooh)

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Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an American soul and R&B vocal group. One of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s, the group's repertoire included soul, R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the middle of the 1950s as The Charlemagnes, the group is most noted for several hits on Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International label between 1972 and 1976, although they performed and recorded until Melvin's death in 1997. Despite group founder and original lead singer Harold Melvin's top billing, the Blue Notes' most famous member was Teddy Pendergrass, their lead singer during the successful years at Philadelphia International. The remaining members of the Blue Notes have reunited for Soul Train Cruises in 2013, … more »

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Written by: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

13 facts about this song

Original Creators

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" was originally written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, and first performed by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in 1972. It was the lead single from their album "I Miss You".

Frontman Change

Teddy Pendergrass was originally a drummer for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, but later became the lead singer. The song "If You Don't Know Me by Now" was one of his biggest hits with the group.

Chart Performance - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

The song reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.1 on the Billboard R&B chart in the mid-1970s.

Joining Ranks

The song "If you don't know me by now" was one of four Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ hits to get into the R&B’s top spot.

Grammy Nomination - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" received a Grammy nomination for R&B performance by a duo, group, or chorus in 1973.

Cover - Simply Red

British band Simply Red covered the song in 1989 for their album "A New Flame." It became one of their biggest hits.

Chart Performance - Simply Red

The Simply Red version of the song hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the 1992 Grammy for Best R&B song.

Distinction

With their cover of "If You Don't Know Me by Now," Simply Red became one of the few UK artists to reach No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Music Video

The music video for Simply Red's version, directed by Andy Morahan, received a nomination for Best British Video at the 1990 Brit Awards.

Late Teddy Pendergrass' version

Even after leaving Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass continued to perform "If You Don't Know Me by Now" as a solo act.

Recognition - Teddy Pendergrass

"If You Don't Know Me by Now", along with Pendergrass's other classic hits, helped him secure his place in the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

Film and TV Use

The song has been widely used in film and television, including in an episode of "The Office" where the character Michael Scott famously serenades his staff with a karaoke version.

Cultural Impact

Over decades, "If You Don't Know Me by Now" has become a much-covered standard in the soul genre, demonstrating its enduring popularity.

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