I'll Be Good to You

"I'll Be Good to You" is a 1976 hit 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 Senora Sam came by and added some lyrics. 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 Singles Charts, peaking at number three, and a number one song on the Billboard R&B Charts 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 American dance chart in early 1990. This was Ray Charles' first No. 1 R&B hit in twenty-four years.

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.