It sold over a million copies, topping the Billboard R&B chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 29, 1971.
The original members - Douglas "Smokey" Scott, Willie Holland, James Barnes, and Charles Stodghill[2] - had all previously sung with other mostly local groups.
[3][6] The Persuaders' sound involved close harmony, Scott's rough but emotive lead vocals and a heavily orchestrated soul and R&B approach, the trademark of the Poindexter brothers, Richard and Bobby, who produced most of the early 1970s hits through their Win Or Lose production company.
Song co-writer and producer Richard Poindexter had in fact served as one of the vocalists on the recording, as the group were still awaiting Willie Holland's arrival to complete the original four-piece lineup.
[4] An album titled after the song followed in 1972, scoring the group several more R&B chart hits, including another top ten, "Love's Gonna Pack Up (and Walk Out)".
[7] By 1973, and the release of their self-titled second album, Thomas Lee Hill and John Tobias, both from another local group, The Huns,[5] had replaced Barnes and Stodghill, respectively.