13. “Treat Her Right,” Roy Head & the Traits, 1965. In 1965, the same year as Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour,” the Supremes’ “Back in My Arms Again” and James Brown’s double shot of “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and “I Feel Good (I Got You),” Three Rivers native Roy Head and his San Marcos group the Traits wanted to tell you a story. A fast-paced, horn-charged tale about the proper way to treat a lady: “If you want a little lovin’ you gotta start real slow, she’ll love you tonight if you just treat her right.” Gulf Coast R&B mogul Don Robey printed it up on his Back Beat label, and America loved it: “Treat Her Right” spent a solid month atop jukebox tracker Cash Box’s R&B chart, the same span as Junior Walker & the All-Stars’ “Shotgun” and only seven less days than the Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself” and Fontella Bass’s “Rescue Me.” On the pop chart, only the Beatles’ “Yesterday” kept it out of the top spot. Not bad, and as Head proved earlier this month at the Continental Club’s Superstars of Soul revue, both he and “Treat Her Right” are as dynamic as ever, and may have even gained a step or two over the years. – C.G.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:11:39 +0000
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