Always loved this song. It has a great groove and a dynamic chorus. I also like the repeated backups. This is one soul song our band played and we loved every minute of it. That guitar is simple yet so effective in the verses. It’s a very powerful song live. This is high on my list of soul songs.
The group was formed in Dania Beach, Florida, and consisted of three siblings… Carter Cornelius, Eddie Cornelius, and Rose Cornelius. Later, they were joined by their sister, Billie Jo Cornelius, completing the lineup. The group started performing in the late 1960s and quickly gained a reputation for their smooth harmonies and soulful performances.
1971 was a big year for the band…they released this song and it peaked at #3 on the Billboard 100 and #10 in Canada in 1971. The group would also hit the following year with Too Late to Turn Back Now and it peaked at #1 in Canada and #2 on the Billboard 100 in 1972. Both songs were off their debut album Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. The song was written by Eddie Cornelius.
These two songs would be their last top 20 hits in America. They did have two more top-40 hits but nothing that lasted. The group broke up in 1976.
Treat Her Like a Lady
All my friends had to ask meSomething they didn’t understandHow I get all the womenIn the palm of my hand
And I told them to treat her like a lady (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)Do the best you can do (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)You got to treat her like a lady and she’ll give in to youLord you can see, you know what I mean
I know you’ve heard (Treat her like)That the woman (Got to treat her like)Will soon take advantage of you (Treat her like, got to treat her like)Let me tell you (Treat her like)My friend (Got to treat her like)There just ain’t no substitute (Treat her like)
You ought to treat her like a lady (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)Do the best you can do (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)You got to treat her like a lady and she’ll give in to youLord you can see, you know what I mean
Oh, you got to love her (Love her)And tease her (Tease her)But most of all you got to please her (Please her)You got to hold her (Hold her)And want her (Want her)And make her feel you’ll always need her (Need her)You know a woman (Woman)Is sentimental (Woman)And so easy to upset (Woman, woman)So make her feel (Feel)That she’s for real, yeah (Feal)And she’ll give you happiness
Whoa, strange as it seems (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)You know you can’t treat a woman mean (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)So my friend, there you have itI said it’s the easy, simple wayIf you fail to do this, don’t blame her if she looks my way
‘Cause I’m gonna treat her like a lady (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)So affectionately (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)I’m going to treat her like a ladyAnd she’ll give in to meLord you can see, you know what I mean
Oh, you got to treat her like a lady (Treat her like, got to, got to treat her like)Do the best you can do (Treat her like, you got to, got to treat her like)You got to treat her like a lady
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Thanks for that link! I don’t know if I ever heard anything more than the two hits by them, but both are excellent songs that still sound good.
Yes they do…they fall with the Chi-lites and the Delfonics…two big hits and that was about it.
I actually do seem to link them with the Chi-lites in my head, probably because of the two big hits and being right around the same time
Yep…it’s a shame because I loved their sound. I went looking for your post but I was looking for some other song that I couldn’t find a Canadian chart position on… so while I was there I looked this up…I knew you covered it. Thanks by the way!
Randy posts Dexy who had 2 hits and now this trio had 2 hits…cannot lump them in the one hit wonders now…
Nope! two giant hits but that is it!
Oh I do like this song but had totally forgotten about it. Nice one today Max.
Thanks Randy…it’s a blast from the past…I’ve been in an R&B and Soul mood.
I remember this song being very popular, but I have not heard it in years.
Me either…that is why I posted it…you don’t hear it much now.
It’s a great track. I can’t remember who covered it (as I’m pretty sure it was)?
I’m not sure who covered but I’m sure someone did….this is the only version I know.
Loved this song!!!
It’s one of those songs that you forget about because you don’t hear it a lot.
Nice! Thanks Max!
See…Max can do hits as well! lol…No I like this one a lot.
Yes you can!
Excellent song.
Yes it is…one you don’t hear much of now.
Welcome back, Vic!
Thanks, Lisa.
You’re welcome 🙂
The ’70’s were the heyday of soul. Great to hear both these songs again.
Thanks John!
Agree with the comments , a worthy song that has fallen into the shadows. Good smooth yet relentless beat.
I have a weakness for a call and response lyric as well obbverse. I fall for it every time.
‘I hear ya, (wa-oh, I hear ya,) I hear ya, (wa-oh I hear ya,) I hear ya…’
THATS IT! (thats it!)
Love this song and this group. In fact I was just listening to a hits collection of theirs and another good song is “Don’t Ever Be Lonely”. Great backups and harmonies. I am not a great dancer, but I find it hard to sit still when this is on.
Oh cool! I’ll have to check that one out
This is one I sing like a mantra. I like how the lyrics shift subtly to tell the story. Didn’t know all of the band members were siblings. I like the other “It’s too late to turn back now” song also.
That is a good one as well…yea I like this one a lot. Love the groove.
The name Cornelius Brothers rang a distant bell, but I didn’t recognize these two songs. They sounded pretty smooth.
Great tune!
I really liked this song and their follow-up “Too Late to Turn Back Now” even more.
didnt get to hear this one until the 90’s on Florida oldies stations, it really sounded fabulous, in the end I had to buy loads of Billboard multi-artist cd albums of the 60’s and 70’s
Yes this has always been one of my favorites from that time…I heard it on AM radio back as a kid in the early 70s
didnt get to hear this until the 90’s on Florida oldies stations around Orlando, they really went for 60’s and early 70’s stuff, and this was one I went big on – had to buy the Billboard multi-artist CD I found in a record store with it on. Loved those cd’s, so many great tracks that weren’t available in the UK!!