"Am I the Same Girl" is a popular song written by Eugene Record and Sonny Sanders. First released in 1968 by American soul singer and songwriter Barbara Acklin, "Am I the Same Girl" charted most successfully in the US as a 1992 release by British pop band Swing Out Sister, where it went to number 1 in the adult contemporary charts and reached the greatest number of fans. However, the song had its greatest impact as a 1968–69 instrumental hit single by Young-Holt Unlimited under the title "Soulful Strut".

Background Although Barbara Acklin recorded the song first, producer Carl Davis removed her voice from the track, replaced it with a piano solo by Floyd Morris, and released the resultant track in November 1968 as "Soulful Strut" credited to Young-Holt Unlimited; it became a No. 3 hit in the United States and went to No. 1 in Canada. It became a gold record. Neither Eldee Young nor Red Holt is believed to have played on the track, which was the work of session musicians identified only as the Brunswick Studio Band. Acklin's version was released in February 1969 and reached No. 33 on the R&B chart, crossing over and peaking at No. 79 on the pop listing.

Charts + Weekly charts for "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited Chart (1969) Peakposition US Billboard Hot 1003 US Easy Listening (Billboard)2 US Rhythm & Blues Singles (Billboard)3

+ Weekly charts for "Am I the Same Girl" by Barbara Acklin Chart (1969) Peakposition US Billboard Hot 10079 US Rhythm & Blues Singles (Billboard)33

Dusty Springfield version

British singer Dusty Springfield, on the recommendation of Douggie Reece, the bassist in her touring band the Echoes,"Dusty Springfield Gets Down and Personal on Q&A" by Gordon Coxhill New Musical Express #1183 (September 13, 1969) p. 12 recorded "Am I the Same Girl" at Philips Studios Marble Arch in August 1969; Bill Landis produced the session, which was arranged by Keith Mansfield. The track marked Springfield's last UK chart appearance of the 1960s, though it was not a major hit, stalling at No. 43. "Am I the Same Girl" also gave Springfield a minor hit in Australia (No. 75).

Chart (1969) Peakposition Australia75

Swing Out Sister version

The vocal version of "Am I the Same Girl" had its most successful incarnation via a 1992 remake by British pop group Swing Out Sister, recorded for their third album, Get in Touch with Yourself (1992). The group's vocalist Corinne Drewery has acknowledged Dusty Springfield as a major influence; however, it was a chance hearing of the original Barbara Acklin version at a Manchester disco specializing in Northern soul that convinced Drewery and her Swing Out Sister partner Andy Connell to remake "Am I the Same Girl".

Released in March 1992 by Fontana Records as the lead single from the album, "Am I the Same Girl" gave Swing Out Sister their highest-charting UK single since 1987, peaking at No. 21. The track had more impact outside the UK, peaking at No. 5 in Canada, No. 15 in the Netherlands, and No. 18 in Belgium. "Am I the Same Girl" also charted in the United States, reaching No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Having recorded two distinct live renditions of "Am I the Same Girl" which appear on, respectively, Live at the Jazz Café (1993) and Live in Tokyo (2005), Swing Out Sister recorded a new studio version of the song for their 2012 album Private View.

Charts Weekly charts Chart (1992) PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column indicates the release's peak on the national chart. 123Europe (European Dance Radio) 1UK Airplay (Music Week) 3US Billboard Hot 100 45US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 1US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard) 26

Year-end charts Chart (1992) PositionEurope (European Dance Radio) 24UK Airplay (Music Week) 44US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 31

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United KingdomMarch 30, 1992FontanaJapanApril 25, 1992Mini-CDAustraliaJune 29, 1992

Other versions

In 1969, Bill Deal and the Rhondels included a version of "Soulful Strut" on their Vintage Rock LP (on Heritage Records, HTS-35,003).

Brazilian organist Walter Wanderley recorded a Bossa Nova driven cover of "Soulful Strut" on his 1969 album, Moondreams.

German pianist Horst Jankowski recorded "Soulful Strut" as the opening track of his 1969 album, A Walk in the Evergreens.

In 1970, Salena Jones recorded "Am I the Same Girl" for her album Everybody's Talkin' About Salena Jones.

In 1979 George Benson recorded a cover of "Soulful Strut" on his album Livin' Inside Your Love.

In 1996 Grover Washington Jr. covered the song for his album of the same name. It was also later released as a remix under the title The Top Down version.

In 1996 Paul Jackson, Jr. recorded a cover of "Soulful Strut" on his album Never Alone: Duets.

In 1999, saxophonist Kim Waters recorded "Am I the Same Girl (Soulful Strut)" for his One Special Moment album; featuring vocalist Meli'sa Morgan and Chuck Loeb, the track was a non-charting single release in February 2000.

In 2004, Joss Stone used the Young-Holt version as a starting point for her song "Don't Cha Wanna Ride", and credited the composers of "Am I the Same Girl" as co-composers of her song.

In September 2005, Martha Stewart began to use the Swing Out Sister version in her promo commercials for her show Martha on NBC television in America and then as the opening introduction theme song of the show. Each show starts with the song playing over a montage of images and photos of Martha Stewart growing up.

Dionne Bromfield covered the song on her debut album Introducing Dionne Bromfield (2009).

References