Black Coffee (Ike & Tina Turner song)

"Black Coffee" is a funk rock song written by Tina Turner. It originally recorded by R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner for their 1972 album Feel Good on United Artists Records. English rock band Humble Pie released a popular rendition of the song in 1973.[1]

"Black Coffee"
Song by Ike & Tina Turner
from the album Feel Good
StudioBolic Sound (Inglewood, California)
GenreFunk rock
Length2:42
Songwriter(s)Tina Turner
Producer(s)Ike Turner, Gerhard Augustin


Humble Pie version
"Black Coffee"
Single by Humble Pie
from the album Eat It
B-side"Say No More"
ReleasedFebruary 1973
GenreBlues rock
Length3:09
LabelA&M Records
Songwriter(s)Ike & Tina Turner
Producer(s)The Pie
Humble Pie singles chronology
"30 Days In The Hole"
(1972)		 "Black Coffee"
(1973)		 "Get Down To It"
(1973)

Humble Pie covered "Black Coffee" for their 1973 album Eat It on A&M Records. Their version features the Blackberries singing backing vocals. Steve Marriott adjusted some of the lyrics. In the original version, Tina Turner sings, "My skin is brown but my mind is black." Marriott sings, "My skin is white but my soul is black." When questioned about the lyrics by journalist James Johnson of NME, Marriott said: "I just sang it 'cos I loved the song and it was an interpretation of somebody else's lyrics. People should have known that I've been into black music for years anyway."[2]

Humble Pie promoted the song on the British TV program The Old Grey Whistle Test in March 1973.[3] The single didn't make an impression on the charts, but it became one of Humble Pie's best known songs, and is considered one of Marriott's best vocal performances.[2]

In 1989, Marriott and Clem Clempson recorded the song as a jingle for Nescafé coffee's new product – Blend 37. They won a Gold Medal Award for the top Commercial 1989.[4]

Critical reception

Cash Box (March 3, 1973): "From their forthcoming album, 'Eat It' comes this enticing Ike & Tina Turner composition tailor made for Steve Marriott's raspy vocals. This is a slice of the Pie you won't want to miss.[5]

Chart performance
Chart (1973) Peak
position
US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100[6] 113
US Cash Box Looking Ahead[7] 107
US Record World Singles 101–150[8] 111
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References
  1. "Radio Action & Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard: 102. March 3, 1973.
  2. Hewitt, Paolo (2015). Steve Marriott: All Too Beautiful. Dean Street Press. ISBN 978-1-910570-69-2.
  3. "Humble Pie's "Black Coffee" Is Served Hot In This 1973 Performance". Society Of Rock.
  4. Schmitt, Roland (2011). The Small Faces & Other Stories. Bobcat Books. ISBN 978-0-85712-451-7.
  5. "Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box: 16. March 3, 1973.
  6. "Bubbling Under The Hot 100". Billboard: 62. May 5, 1973.
  7. "Looking Ahead" (PDF). Cash Box: 24. April 14, 1973.
  8. "The Singles Chart 101-150" (PDF). Record World: 28. April 7, 1973.
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