Me and Mrs. Jones
B-side “Your Song”
Released October 1972
Format 7-inch single
Genre Soul
Length 4:42
“Me and Mrs. Jones” is a 1972 soul song written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert, and originally recorded by Billy Paul. It describes an extramarital affair between a man and his lover, Mrs. Jones. In the song, the two meet in secret “every day at the same cafe”, where they hold hands and talk. The two are caught in a quandary: “we both know that it’s wrong/but it’s much too strong/to let it go now”.
“Me and Mrs. Jones” was a #1 single originally performed by Billy Paul, recorded and released in 1972 on CBS Records’ Philadelphia International imprint. The single, included on the album 360 Degrees of Billy Paul, was written by Cary ‘Hippy’ Gilbert, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff.
The single became Paul’s only #1 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, peaking at that position for three weeks in December 1972. “Me and Mrs. Jones” also achieved this feat on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart, remaining at the top position for four weeks. On the Hot 100, it replaced “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy and was replaced by Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain”. It also hit #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. For two weeks – 3rd-10th February 1973 – it peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.
The radio edit versions were shorter, omitting the second verse, as well as shortening the coda. The video clip of this song features Billy Paul playing piano in a recording session, while accompanied by dancers.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia