"I'll Be Good to You" is a 1976 song by R&B duo the Brothers Johnson. George Johnson, one of the two Johnson brothers in the band, wrote the song after deciding to commit to a relationship with one woman, instead of dating several at a time. While George was recording a demo for the song, family friend Sonora Sam came by and added some lyrics.[ allmusic] Brothers Johnson producer and mentor Quincy Jones heard the song, liked it, and convinced George to sing lead on the finished track. Released from their debut album, Look Out for #1, it was a top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number three, and a number one song on the Billboard R&B chart during the summer of 1976. The single was later certified gold by the RIAA.
Thirteen years later in 1989, it became a number one R&B hit again, with Chaka Khan and Ray Charles doing the lead vocals on Quincy Jones' Back on the Block album, and went to number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It also topped the Billboard Dance chart in early 1990. This was Ray Charles' first No. 1 R&B hit in twenty-four years.
Charts The Brothers Johnson version
Weekly charts Chart (1976)PeakpositionCanada (RPM)12US Billboard Hot 1003US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)1 US Cash Box Top 1007
Year-end charts Chart (1976)PositionCanada (RPM)120US Billboard Hot 100Musicoutfitters.com61US Cash Box Top 10068
Quincy Jones featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan version
Weekly charts Chart (1989–90)PeakpositionItaly Airplay (Music & Media)6
Year-end charts Chart (1990)PositionUK Club Chart (Record Mirror)59
Personnel Ray Charles, Chaka Khan: lead vocals featured rap artist on remix Kyle "Magic" Jackson Quincy Jones: producer, vocal and rhythm arranger David Paich, Greg Phillinganes, Ian Prince: keyboards Louis Johnson: Moog synthesizer bass, Fender slap bass, background vocals Ian Underwood, Larry Williams, Michael Boddicker, Steve Porcaro: synthesizer programming Bruce Swedien: drum programming Harvey Mason: hi-hat, cymbals George Johnson: guitar, background vocals James Ingram, James Gilstrap, Phil Perry, Siedah Garrett, Syreeta Wright: background vocals
Cover versions It was later covered by Vanessa Williams and James "D. Train" Williams on Vanessa's 2005 studio album Everlasting Love. Boney James covered the song on his 2009 studio album Send One Your Love.
References
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See also List of number-one R&B singles of 1976 (U.S.) List of number-one R&B singles of 1989 (U.S.) List of number-one dance singles of 1990 (U.S.)