CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

#126 IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN Gladys Knight & The Pips
Gladys Knight & The Pips' recording of "If I Were Your Woman" remains 1 of Motown's most thrilling vocal performances. Songwriters Pam Sawyer and Gloria Jones (who wrote using the name LaVern Ware at the time) started sketching out the R&B classic while eating lunch and drinking champagne. They drew inspiration from the women's liberation movement that was gaining momentum. Sawyer and Jones presented their song to Clay McMurray, who added some changes. He had just been entrusted with producing for Gladys Knight & The Pips. He recognized the song's potential, but Knight was unsure. Motown boss Berry Gordy Jr persuaded her to record the heart-wrenching ballad.
It was issued as a single in 1970 and the title track for the Pips' album released in the following year. The single reached #1 R&B and 9 Pop in the US. It also made the Canadian Top 40.This was to be 1 of the group's final hits for Motown. 
"If I Were Your Woman" has been covered by various acts over the ensuing decades. Among the noteworthy interpretations are remakes by Stephanie Mills in 1988, George Michael in 1991 and Alicia Keys in 2003.
 
This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the Top 200 is added each day, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.