We're Gonna Groove

"We're Gonna Groove" (or "Groovin'" as it was originally titled) is a song written by soul artist Ben E. King and later co-credited to James Bethea. In 1964, it was released as the single B-side of King's rendition of "What Now My Love".[1]

"Groovin'"
Single by Ben E. King
A-side"What Now My Love"
Released1964 (1964)
Genre
Length2:05
LabelAtco
Songwriter(s)Ben E. King, James Bethea

Although the single did not reach the record charts, critic Richie Unterberger felt that the song was one of King's best self-penned efforts.[1] He compared the arrangement to James Brown's early 1960s work and added "King is mostly known for ballads and romantic numbers, but 'Groovin'' convincingly demonstrates that he could also write and sing bluesy, swinging uptempo soul numbers."[1] "Groovin'" is included on King's 1993 Anthology compilation.

Manfred Mann recorded the song as the title track for their 1964 EP Groovin' with Manfred Mann.[1] According to Unterberger, "Manfred Mann's cover was longer and looser than the original, with some storming barrelhouse piano by Mann, long instrumental breaks that also included guitar and vibes solos, and a raucous vocal by Paul Jones."[1] The EP reached number three in the UK charts.[2]

Led Zeppelin rendition

Led Zeppelin performed "We're Gonna Groove" as the opening number during their 1970 UK and European tours.[3] The song was proposed for Led Zeppelin II, but did not appear until the 1982 release of Coda. Jimmy Page finished the recording at his Sol Studios, after the group disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham.[3]

The credits for the 1982 album Coda note that the song was recorded at Morgan Studios, London, on 25 June 1969. However, this was later changed to the Royal Albert Hall on 9 January 1970, with several edits and the guitar parts overdubbed. The original concert performance, including the original guitar part appears on the 2003 Led Zeppelin DVD. The second song of the concert – "I Can't Quit You Baby" – was similarly adapted for the Coda album.

In a contemporary review of Coda for Rolling Stone, Kurt Loder described "We're Gonna Groove" as "definitive 1969 raunch."[4] He added "the essential elements of Zeppelin's sound are already firmly in place: Page's propulsive guitar playing, Robert Plant's pealing vocal, John Paul Jones' duty-bound bass, and the late John Bonham's creature with-the-atom-brain drumming."[4]

References
  1. Unterberger, Richie. "Ben E. King: Groovin' – Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  2. Warwick, Neil; Kutner, Jon; Brown, Tony (2004). The Complete Book of the British Charts: Singles and Albums (Third ed.). Omnibus. ISBN 978-1-84449-058-5.
  3. Lewis, Dave (1994). The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
  4. Loder, Kurt (20 January 1983). "Coda". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
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