Otis Clay – That’s How It Is (When You’re In Love)

I always liked the late sixties and early seventies soul and R&B…this one fits the bill.

Otis Clay, born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, started his career in gospel music before transitioning to soul music in the mid-sixties. His move into soul followed a trend among gospel artists of that era, like Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke, who carried over the powerful vocal styles to soul music.

In 1957, Otis Clay sang with several gospel groups, including the Golden Jubilaires, the Blue Jays, and the Pilgrim Harmonizers. However, it was with the Gospel Songbirds that he made his first recording in 1964, Jesus, I Love to Call His Name. Shortly after its release, Clay accepted an offer to join the renowned Sensational Nightingales, with whom he toured until mid-1965. He then decided to cross over into the R&B genre and signed with the One-derful label. “That’s How It Is (When You’re in Love)” took Clay onto the R&B charts in 1967.

The follow-up, Lasting Love, was also a hit, but Clay’s contract was sold to Cotillion Records as One-derful faced bankruptcy. His releases there included She’s About A Mover and Do Right Woman—Do Right Man (both of which were recorded at Muscle Shoals), as well as a searing version of Pouring Water On A Drowning Man.

The song peaked at 131 on the Billboard 100 and #34 on the Billboard R&B Chart in 1967.

His version of Pouring Water On A Drowning Man. He does a great version but my favorite version is by James Carr.

That’s How It Is

Please, somebody take your hand and slap some sense into me
Open my eyes, ’cause I’m too blind to see
I’ve got this woman and she’s messin’ my mind around
She knows that I love her, but still she’s tryin’ to put me down
I know I’m just a fool, someone she can use
But I can’t help myself, ooh, I can’t help myself

Ooh, now listen baby, I know I’m just your fool
But I love you, and for you I’ll break every rule
Now I’ve broken hearts before of the ones that love me
But now I’m in love, too, place no one above you
The Lord knows I love you, always thinkin’ of you
But I can’t help myself, I can’t help myself

Ooh no, please don’t look down on me
Because I’m weak. When you’re in love, it’s easy to be
I know I’m being abused
Misused and confused
But that’s how it is when you’re in love

That’s how it is now
I know that’s how it is now
When you love someone that don’t love you
Oh yeah, keep on being abused
Misused and confused
But that’s how it is when you’re in love

Make you feel so fine, yeah now
All right, oh yeah, keep on being abused
Keep on being misused
But that’s how it is
It ain’t a doggone thing you can do
No, now, oh no
Got to keep on holdin’ on, yeah

…

Unknown's avatar

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

27 thoughts on “Otis Clay – That’s How It Is (When You’re In Love)”

  3. Sweet stuff, Max, both of these songs are right up my alley. Gospel is a great background for a soul singer. Come to think of it, I really know Otis Clay by name only. Based on your two picks here, I feel like further checking him out! I love the passion in his singing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I was going to post another artist but my laptop died last night…so I had this one written up…but yea I love this and like you said…the passion.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. I’ve heard some of his material, but not this song. It’s good. I read something by Dave Marsh years ago that Bob Seger covered “Trying to Live My Life Without You” on a live album because he felt the Eagles ripped off the song for “The Long Run” and he wanted Clay to get some royalties.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m not a fan of the Eagles so I love what Seger did…I know I’m in the minority…I guess it was over exposure but Henley and Frey were not the most likeable guys ever but their music…I’ve just hear a little too much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. OH…Joe Walsh, Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, and Don Felder I think are awesome! I will admit…their earlier stuff I can listen to much more.

        Like

  7. Although Soul music is not one of my favourite genres by any stretch I couldn’t help but like this a lot. There is another soul song which I believe contains the words ‘Walk Away’, which sounds so similar – not ‘Drift Away’ by Dobie Gray. I tried searching it and wasn’t successful. Grrr.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Damn you Matt…now I’m going to be wondering what that song is…I think I know the one you are talking about…it seems familiar.

      Like

      Reply

      1. No, and thanks for the attempt. The song ends if I remember correctly..’Walk away, walk away…’ or it could be ‘drift away’ but not that song.
        Oh, I hate that. Normally when I find a link between songs I’ll get it quick smart’. I still think I’ll get it, but it might take time.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Pingback: Otis Clay – That’s How It Is (When You’re In Love) – MobsterTiger

  13. Never heard him before – it’s kind of weird how radio stations and record stores segregate off soul and r&b, when it’s pretty closely related to pop/rock. Almost feels racist. Otherwise I’d of heard this ages ago.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment