"I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" is a song written by Memphis-based songwriter Earl Randle, and first recorded in 1972 by soul singer Ann Peebles. The song was also a hit in 1984 for English singer Paul Young.
Ann Peebles version Produced by Willie Mitchell and with performances by the Hi Rhythm Section, Ann Peebles' recording was made at the Royal Studios on South Lauderdale Avenue in Memphis. Miss Funkyflyy, "Ann Peebles Bio (part 2)". Retrieved June 29, 2014 It was issued as a single on the Hi label in January 1973.45cat.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014 It reached no.31 on the US R&B chart, and "bubbled under" the Hot 100, reaching no.111. The track was also included on her 1974 album I Can't Stand the Rain.
Writer Craig Werner said:Like the most powerful gospel soul from the early sixties, "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" serves notice on a cheating lover (white America? the brothers in the Black Panther movement?) that the free ride has come to an end. It's a restatement of the revolutionary gospel anthem "Samson and Delilah," and the message, on every level, is the same: "If I had my way, I would tear this building down."
Later versions The song was later recorded by Graham Parker and the Rumour on their 1977 album Stick to Me. A cover version appeared on an album called Love Blind by Morty in 1980. Morty was the vocalist with Racing Cars, a South Wales-based band. This was Morty's only solo album. A cover version by Paul Young reached no. 9 on the UK singles chart in 1984, and no.13 on the Billboard Hot 100 when re-released the following year.SecondhandSongs.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014 It was included on Young's album The Secret of Association (1985).
Samples The Ann Peebles' version of "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" was sampled in the track "The Plan" by Wu-Tang Clan affiliated group Sunz of Man on their album The Last Shall Be First (1998).
Charts Ann Peebles Chart (1973)Peakposition
Paul Young Chart (1984)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)25Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)19France (IFOP)28 Chart (1985)PeakpositionUS 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)12
References