"Backfield in Motion" is a 1969 song by the vocal duo Mel & Tim. It uses American football terminology to describe the nature of a relationship between a man and woman. It made the Cash Box and Billboard charts that same year.

Background

"Backfield in Motion" bw "Do it Right Baby" was released in the US on Bamboo 107, it was reviewed in the September 20 issue of Cash Box. The football terminology was noted with the reviewer saying that the "football imagery was given a strange and novel twist". The top forty probability was also noted. ^[1]

This song has nothing to do with the 1964 song "Backfield in Motion" by Girl Group, The Angelos which appeared on Tollie Records and Vee Jay Records. Elzie Bynem who was the brother of the lead singer Linda Martell composed it for them. ^{[2] [3]} A Cash Box Newcomer Pick for March 14, 1964, the single did have some potential. ^{[4] [5]}

Airplay

According to Cash Box in the magazine's September 20 issue, the song was reportedly making noise in Chicago. ^[6] Also in the same week, Cash Box noted that it had been added to the playlist of New Orleans Top 40 station WTIX. ^[7] It was also in the R&B section of Stan's Juke Box Picks of the Week. ^[8] It was added to the playlist of WQXI in Atlanta on the week ending October 4, 1969. ^[9] On the week ending October 11, it was added to the playlist of WCAO in Baltimore. ^[10] Also that week, 8% of key radio stations in the US had added the song to their playlists. ^[11]

Charts

Cash Box

Top 50 In R & B Locations

On the week ending September 27, 1969, "Backfield in Motion" made its debut at no. 43 in the Cash Box Top 50 In R & B Locations chart. ^{[12] [13]} It peaked at no. 1 on the week ending November 8. ^[14] It would hold that position for an additional two weeks ^{[15] [16] [17]} with "Someday We'll Be Together" by Diana Ross & the Supremes taking the no. 1 spot on the week ending November 29. ^[18]

Top 100

On the week ending October 25, it debuted in the Cash Box Top 100 chart. ^[19] It would reach the peak position of no. 12 on the week ending December 6. ^[20] It would drop down to no. 13 the following week but regain the no. 12 position one more time on the week ending December 20. ^{[21] [22]}

Billboard

Hot 100

It was noted by Billboard for the week ending October 18, 1969 that "Backfield in Motion" was a national breakout. ^[23] It debuted at no. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on that week. ^[24] At week 9, on the week ending December 13, it peaked at no. 10. ^{[25] [26]}

Best Selling Soul Singles

At week seven, it peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart on the week ending November 29. ^{[27] [28]}

Canada

It debuted on the Canada 's Top Singles chart at no. 18 as shown by Billboard in the December 6 issue. ^[29]

United Kingdom

"Backfield in Motion" debuted in the UK chart on January 26, 1974. ^[30] It was noted as a "Breaker" by Record Mirror in the magazine's February 9 and 16 issues. ^{[31] [32]} It peaked at no. 52. ^[33]

Other versions

The Mills Brothers recorded a version which appeared on their 1969 The Mills Brothers in Motion album. ^{[34] [35]}

Anthony Swete recorded a version of "Backfield in Motion". Backed with the Wayne Carson composition, " Soul Deep", it was released on RCA Victor 1905 in the UK. ^{[36] [37]} It was released in New Zealand on Allied International PPX 302 with Swete's version backed with " Yester Me, Yester You, Yesterday" by Pip Bravo, ^[38] and in Australia on RCA 101882 on a two-artist single release with Mark Juhns covering "Make Believe". ^[39] It was actually released there before Mel & Tim's version was picked up. James Hamilton of Record Mirror reviewed Swete's version. Calling it a "Nicely dated beater with Sam & Dave-ish vocal touches", he also said it was quite good and gave it a two star rating. ^[40]

JB's Allstars recorded a version which made the UK charts in 1984. It spent four weeks in the charts and peaked at no. 48. ^[41]

Parker Scott recorded a version which appeared on his Company of Strangers album which was released in 2000 / 2001. ^{[42] [43]}

References

External links

• Mel & Tim Topic channel – Backfield in Motion (audio)
• Arbiters Records channel – The Mills Brothers- Backfield In Motion (audio)