Released: March 1974
Genre: Soul
Label: Buddah
Producer: Curtis Mayfield
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Gladys Knight & The Pips were one of the most remarkable soul groups for almost four decades. Consisting of the Empress of Soul Gladys Knight, Merald Knight, William Guest & Edward Patten, the group was signed to Motown Records, and eventually Buddah Records…where they released their most classic hits at those respective labels like Nitty Gritty, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, I Don’t Want to Do Wrong, Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye,) Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, I’ve Got to Use My Imagination I Feel a Song (In My Heart) and Midnight Train to Georgia.
The remarkable band’s twelfth studio album was also the soundtrack album to the 1974 classic film Claudine, which starred Diahann Carroll & James Earl Jones. Released the spring of 1974 under the Buddah label, The film tells the story of a single Black mother in Harlem (Claudine Price,) who’s raising six children on welfare..who falls in love with a garbage collector.
The themes of systemic economic inequality, marriage and family life in the Black community and welfare showcases the complexities of love in the Black community during that time frame. The score and music for the soundtrack was written and produced by the legendary Curtis Mayfield, who recently had success with the immaculate soundtrack to the 1972 film Super Fly.
Out of the soundtracks Curtis Mayfield has worked on, Claudine doesn’t get the flowers it deserves for staying in touch with the themes of the film. The movie and film pays homage to Black love, while discussing the complexities Black women faced as women, mothers, employees and their love life period.
The Claudine soundtrack peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top Soul LPs and 35 on the Top LPs charts respectively.
Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you Gladys Knight & The Pips’ “Claudine”
Mr. Welfare Man
Written by Curtis Mayfield
They just keep on saying I’m a lazy woman, don’t love my children and I’m mentally unfit.
Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mr. Welfare Man, 1974
Mr. Welfare Man discusses the experience Black women went through when they were single and on welfare with the kid(s) they were raising. As shown in the film, when the social worker Miss Kabak (portrayed by Elisa Loti,) came to visit the home, the children and Claudine had to hide a lot of their possessions and had to lie about her personal life to receive the maximum welfare benefits..which wasn’t much as is. The film and the song captures the essence of how unfair the welfare system was and possibly still is. The lyrics from the song really makes you think of the struggles Black people faced in the 70s.
I’m so tired, I’m so tired of trying to prove my equal rights. Though I’ve made some mistakes for goodness sakes, why should they help mess up my life?
Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mr. Welfare Man, 1974
To Be Invisible
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Revisiting this album, it was truly one song that I did not appreciate until listening to it in its entirety and that is To Be Invisible. From a lyrical perspective, To Be Invisible explores themes of escapism and the yearning for a girl to be free from a cruel world hence, wanting to be…invisible. The lyrics have so much meaning even in today’s world. Preferring to being invisible to leave the hardships of life behind is deep. Like whew.
To Be Invisible was originally recorded by Curtis Mayfield for his Sweet Exorcist album.
On and On
Written by Curtis Mayfield
On & On is a BOP! Originally recorded by The Impressions as Our Love Goes On and On, the song was lyrically pertaining to the strength and the bond of a couple who have found love together as one. Released as the lead single, On & On peaked in the top two on the R&B chart, and top 5 on the pop charts respectively. Also, the song was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
On & On was originally recorded by The Impressions as Our Love Goes On and On.
The Makings of You
Written by Curtis Mayfield
The Makings of You captures the essence and beauty of love and how the special qualities a person has makes them a special person. The song was originally recorded by Curtis Mayfield for his 1970 album, but Gladys version was truly top tier af!
The Makings of You was originally recorded by Curtis Mayfield.
The Makings of You was sampled for:
- The Makings of You by Tamar Braxton
- Roses by Tyrese
- Sweeter Than Sugar by Joe
- You’re My Star by The Isley Brothers
Claudine Theme
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Claudine Theme is a remarkable instrumental conducted by the immaculate Curtis Mayfield.
Claudine Theme was sampled for:
- Look Who’s Burnin’ by Ice Cube
Hold On
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Hold On is one of the album’s most purest gems. The production is amazingly mellow and done beautifully, while you hear Gladys and the Pips telling Claudine to hold on to the love of her good man.
Make Yours a Happy Home
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Make Yours a Happy Home wraps up the album, and is one of my favorite highlights on it! Released as the second and final single from the soundtrack, the positive and uplifting record is lyrically about how important it is to create a loving and caring environment for yourself and loved ones, especially by your significant other. Make Yours a Happy Home peaked in the top 20 on the Hot Soul Singles chart at number 13, and cracked the top 40 on the UK pop charts!
Make Yours a Happy Home was sampled for:
Like I mentioned above, this album is so underrated out of the catalogs of Gladys Knight & The Pips and Curtis Mayfield. The Claudine soundtrack is a gem that the Black community needed to shine light on how we were living, and how society shames us and judges us, yet try to hold us back…even from finding love. I hope this soundtrack also motivates to watch the film, which is currently available to watch on YouTube! -MW.
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