The Three Degrees ~ When Will I See You Again 1973 Soul Purrfection Version

Upon repeated listenings, I have come to the conclusion that this song pays tribute to "WIll You Still Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles. By echoing the vibe, the wonderful tradition of the girl groups continues even to today. The Three Degrees had been recording for years before they supplied the sparse vocals for "TSOP" a #1 pop hit from the house band at Sigma Studios known as MFSB. Before they joined the Gamble & Huff stable of artists, three women, Linda Turner, Shirley Porter and Fayette Pinkney got together in 1964 and joined forces with producer Richard Barrett who discovered The Isley Brothers, The Chantels and Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. He also wrote songs and took the trio to Swan Records, who released two songs that did not penetrate the top 40. By 1966 Turner and Porter had left the band, so Valerie Holiday and Sheila Ferguson became their replacements. This new incarnation had their first major hit with the #29 placement of "Maybe" issued on Roulette records. After the women put the finishing touches on their vocals for "TSOP", Gamble & Huff decided to work with them on an album. The first song issued was the sultry and atmospheric "When Will I See You Again", an original composition. Entering the charts at #94, the song peaked at #2 unable to kick Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting" out of the top spot. The song peaked at #4 R&B and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. At the peak of their fame, they made a memorable appearance on "Sanford & Son" as themselves performing "I Didn't Know". A second song, the disco-ish "Dirty Ol Man" was issued but did not make much of an impact. They were unable to expand their chart life and left the Philadelphia International in 1975 and paired up with up and coming electronic producer Giorgio Moroder and took on a much harder rock dance approach for 1978's "New Dimensions". Unfortunately, the music tracks were muddy and lacked the precise sound separation of the Gamble & Huff songs, but "Giving Up, Giving In" peaked at #12 disco but the follow up "The Runner" only made #56. Their sound was properly cleaned up for the sleek and raucous "Three D" LP of 1979 that resulted in #30 "Jump The Gun" and the #12 "Set Me Free" on the disco chart. That same album contained the original version of "My Simple Heart", a song that Carol Douglas recorded a cover of that peaked at #42 in early 1981.

[waynemckinney]

Who's listening to this in 2024..this never gets old.

[georgeharleydavidsonrider]

Who is listening to this song in 2022. This is a real classic and I could listen to the song 10 times a day and never get tired of it . 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Thank you for posting.

[leha]

Oh my old car from 1973 who still running and this lovely song will never die. I feel love again 😃

[ikaikamaleko]

Makes me sad to hear this, reminds me of fun times and the innocence of my childhood, when my two bros, sis and mom were alive, it feels all dreamlike.

[wsbvofb]

Fell in love with that voice at the age of 10.

[reubennaranjo]

I was 9 years old and we lived in Oakland, California. Never forget this classic.

[christianoveral]

The Three Degrees were glamour & sophistication personified...as an eight year old back in 1973 I was completely BLOWN AWAY by them...and I still love them to this day...

[cafe]

A timeless masterpiece that will live on forever. We❤you 3Degrees🌹🌹🌹. Thank you for sharing.

[SuperCAPO]

RIP Bill. This was his favorite soul song from the 70s.

[johnwilkerson]

Always loved this song since I was a kid back in the 70s!!

[paulwhitehouse]

Even as a fan of punk and heavy rock music this has always been a fav .What a voice 🎤🌹🌹🌹

[bryanpotter]

Love the 3 degrees when they're on Sanford and son

[wordsofhis]

In 1973 Cyndi moved to Evansville, IN. and I never saw her again! This song is all about her in my mind.

[michaelvecchione]

I know I will see my mother again. 26 years since she was on this Earth. Miss ya mommy.

[veren]

My husband love this song so much. We were in Dunoon Scotland

[apollosolo]

My only complaint about this song was that it was too damn short, but not anymore. Thanks for the posting. This group is truly unsung.

[eddiemiles]

11th grade all over... The Fall of 1974.... Great sound..Great memory... Just made better!

[susanduva]

I was nine when this this great fantastic song came out in 1973 a classic fantastic job disco.cat mabie.do loves.them by Barry white up the irons.maiden the super seventies lives on with the super disco cat!!!!😺😺😺😺🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🎸🎶🎶🎶🤘🤟🤟

[robertcurry]

great song! thank for all these great songs coming from a 70's child. best music

[thomastarwater]

Another song I had wished had would have lasted longer. It sure does now. Thank you Disco Cat for a might magnificent