Song:Want Ads
Album:Scorching Soul Trio
The girl group Honey Cone topped the charts in 1971 with Want Ads. They had some other hits but I think that's the one most folks will remember. Honey Cone was led by Edna Wright. Edna is from Los Angeles and is the younger sister of the legendary 60s singer Darlene Love and was a member of The Blossoms. She formed Honey Cone in 1969 with Carolyn Willis and Shellie Clark. Edna knew Carolyn from the Los Angeles studio scene and Shellie was once an Ikette. Honey Cone got the attention of the legendary Motown songwriting production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. They had just left Motown and were starting their own label. Honey Cone was the first artist signed to Hot Wax Records. Their first couple of singles did not catch on but Want Ads topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. The song was written by Chairmen of the Board lead singer General Johnson, producer Greg Perry and recording engineer Barney Perkins. Perkins suggested writing a song about want ads. Perry thought it was a good idea and brought Johnson in. The two wrote the 100 Proof Aged In Soul hit Somebody's Been Sleeping (In My Bed). Want Ads was recorded by Scherrie Payne and the Glass House who had a hit with Crumbs Off The Table. Scherrie is the younger sister of Freda Payne and she was lead singer of The Supremes in the mid-70s. Scherrie didn't like her recording of Want Ads and neither did Perry. Scherrie suggested trying it with Edna Wright and that was the answer. The song was a big hit. Edna's lead vocal is outstanding. Ullanda McCullough recorded a disco version in 1979. And Mary Mary sampled Want Ads in their 2005 hit Heaven and Edna appears in the video lip scyning her own vocal. Honey Cone had other hits including Stick-Up and One Monkey Don't Stop No Show. You can get them all on this budget comp from the British label Demon Records. Honey Cone split up in 1973. Edna Wright recorded a solo album in 1976 and continues to lead a version of Honey Cone today touring the nostalgia circuit. Here's Honey Cone performing Want Ads on Soul Train 1971.
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