Ann Peebles: I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down

I actually thought of doing another original version of a Paul Young hit for our Friday First selection; however, I remembered Young’s “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down.” Young's release was an interpretation of an old Ann Peebles R&B hit from 1973. Her soulful version has the tell-tale markings of a record released on the Hi label in the early 1970s.

The distinctive Memphis sound of the label in those days was created via the many hit recordings of her fellow label mate Al Green. Other artists such as Peebles, O.V. Wright, and Willie Mitchell, As a producer, Mitchell turned Hi Records into a veritable soul mainstay, as Hi was predominantly known to produce rock and rockabilly instrumentals from artists like the Bill Black Combo and Ace Cannon.

While Peebles original never made it to the Hot 100 Charts, it did served to be an R&B hit with the record peaking at 31.

Paul Young Hit

In 1984, Columbia Records released “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down” as the initial single from Paul Young’s “The Secret of Association” album. While the release was a top ten hit in the UK, it failed to chart in the US. Following the colossal success of Young’s number one “Every Time You Go Away” single, Columbia rereleased “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down” and the second time around the song peaked at #13. I love the fretless bass on this version.