Billy Paul dead: the best cover versions of his classic hit Me and Mrs Jones
Remembering the late soul musician's biggest song
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Soul singer Billy Paul has died at the age of 81 leaving behind an impressive career spanning 60 years and his revered rendition of "Me and Mrs. Jones".
His memorable vocal on the track - which tells the story of an extramarital affair - influenced several cover versions over the ensuing decades.
Paul recorded the track - written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert - in 1972 and it became his only number one single.
Below are the most notable cover versions of the classic track.
Stevie Wonder
The Motown musician doffed his cap to the Billy Paul track with a rare live performance in San Francisco a single year after its release.
The Dramatics
Detroit five-piece The Dramatics remixed the song in 1975 handing it a unique blend of harmonies with a fresh strings arrangement.
Daryl Hall
Hall & Oates were such fans that the song became a regular fixture in live shows throughout their career. The last noted performance from the duo came in 2010 but it's this 1994 solo version from Daryl Hall that aficionados deem the best example.
Freddie Jackson
Gospel-trained soul musician Freddie Jackson released his own take as a single in 1994. With a funky Quiet Storm undertone, fans heavily consider it a standout from his fifth studio album Time for Love.
Sarah Jane Morris
This dedicated rendition from modern jazz vocalist Sarah Jane Morris featured on her 1989 debut solo album after she'd parted ways with duo The Communards. It still remains extremely popular in Italy and Greece.
Michael Bublé
Perhaps the most famous version after Paul's, Michael Bublé's version shot to notoriety following the Canadian singer's split from his then-girlfriend - actor Emily Blunt - whose vocals can be heard on the final verse. Appearing on album Call Me Irresponsible, the relationship breakdown saw Bublé cancel plans to release it as a single.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments