SoulTracks Lost Gem: Bettye Swann reimagines "This Old Heart of Mine"

Share this article

    Recorded in 1975, ​Bettye​ Swann​'s cover of The 1966 Isleys Brothers hit song​ slowed the song down and turned it into a plaintive ballad​. Tammi Terrell also did an aw​e​some version in 1968 that was released on Motown. Written by Motown's main songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland alongside Sylvia Moy, the song was first considered for the Supremes as a single, but instead ended up ​an album cut ​on their Supremes A' Go-Go​.​​

    Recorded in 1975, ​Bettye​ Swann​'s cover of The 1966 Isleys Brothers hit song​ slowed the song down and turned it into a plaintive ballad​. Tammi Terrell also did an aw​e​some version in 1968 that was released on Motown. Written by Motown's main songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland alongside Sylvia Moy, the song was first considered for the Supremes as a single, but instead ended up ​an album cut ​on their Supremes A' Go-Go​.​​

    Betty's version was only just recently released for the first time on The Complete Atlantic Recordings, which also includes, "Victim Of A Foolish Heart" (​which was covered rather nicely by Joss Stone on her debut album, Soul Sesstions).​​ "Kiss My Love Goodbye​,​'' ''Suspicious Minds​,'' ''When the Game Is Played on You​,​'' a​nd a​ couple of duets with Sam Dees​. 23 tracks in total mak​e this a must for the Bettye Swann fans. Bet your wondering​, like us, why has it has taken 39 years to see the light of day. Bettye last appearance was in 2013​, as she was booked to sing Live in Cleethorpes in the UK​. Even the locals were shocked. Have a listen to our latest Lost ​G​em and tell us what you think​.​

    Gary Van den Bussche
     
     Bettye Swann - "This Old Heart of Mine"
     
     
    Video of the Month - Kinsman Dazz Band - "Wake Up"
    Song of the Month - Darnell Kendricks - "What a Wonderful Night"
    Listen Now! - The Fresh Soul Playlist