LaVette was born in Muskegon, Michigan, and raised in Detroit. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she did not begin singing in the church, but in her parents' living room, singing R&B and country and western music. She was signed by Johnnie Mae Matthews, a local record producer. In 1962, aged sixteen, she recorded a single, "My Man—He's a Lovin' Man", with Matthews, which became a Top Ten R&B hit after Atlantic Records bought distribution rights. This led to a tour with rhythm and blues musicians Clyde McPhatter, Ben E. King, Barbara Lynn, and then-newcomer Otis Redding. She next hit the charts with “Let Me Down Easy” on Calla Records in 1965. This led to a brief stint with The James Brown Revue. After recording several 45–rpm singles for local Detroit labels, in 1969 LaVette signed to the Silver Fox label. She cut a handful of tracks, including two Top 40 R&B hits: “He Made A Woman Out Of Me” and “Do Your Duty”. The Memphis studio musicians on these recordings have since become known as The Dixie Flyers. In 1972, she signed once again with Atlantic/Atco. She was sent to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama to record what was to be her first full-length album. Titled Child of the Seventies, it was produced by Brad Shapiro and featured the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, now known as The Swampers, but Atco chose not to issue the album.
Dee Dee Ford, a singer who teamed up with Don Gardner on the top-20 single "I Need Your Lovin'" in 1962, wrote "Let Me Down Easy" three years later using her real name Wrecia Holloway.
The song, a torch ballad,
was performed by Bettye LaVette, arranged by Dale Warren, and produced by Gardner. New York independent label Calla Records released the track as a single and it reached number 20 on the BillboardHot Rhythm and Blues Singles chart.
LaVette performed it on a 1965 episode of Shindig!
and on the 2012/13 Hootenanny show presented by Jools Holland.
"Let Me Down Easy" is a song by Australian indie pop band Sheppard. It was included on their debut extended playSheppard in 2012 and their debut albumBombs Away in 2014. The song was not released as a single in Australia, but used to promote the extended play, which went on to achieve double platinum accreditation. The song received APRA and ARIA award nominations. "Let Me Down Easy" was released as an international single in January 2015.
Three videos were released to promote "Let Me Down Easy"
Acoustic version:
An acoustic version was released on Steve Madden's YouTube account on 28 September 2012.
Australian version:
The Australian version was released on their YouTube account on 1 May 2013.
It was filmed using a hand-held camera and has the band singing the song in a car yard.
"'Let Me Down Easy'" is a song by Roger Daltrey, who at the time was the former lead singer of The Who. The song was written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and included on Daltrey's sixth solo album Under a Raging Moon as the first track on the second side of the LP. The album was a tribute to The Who's former drummer Keith Moon. The song was released as a single in November 1985 on Atlantic Records.
The single reached number 86 on the US Hot 100 singles chart and number 11 on Billboard's Top Rock Tracks chart.
Background
When Jim Vallance was asked about the track, he recalled that they wrote the song during January 1984 and that: "Adams and I originally wrote "Let Me Down Easy" for Stevie Nicks, but I don't know if she ever heard the song. Regardless, I thought Roger did a superb job."
Although she was indeed signed to Motown, and therefore was an obvious contender to become a part of Motorcity, the sassy Miss B. was far more well known for her work prior to Motown, on Atlantic, Calla, Big Wheel, West End, Atco, and on so many other labels. I adore her voice. Amy Winehouse has just made a major pop career by sounding like Bettye Lavette. Not only did Bettye sound fabulous, and still does, but she was drop dead gorgeous too, as her pictures will attest. She was a privilege to have on Motorcity, and to record more than an album's worth of material with her, and, in fact, only recently, her old Motorcity recording of "Right Out Of Time" has just gone massive with a brand new version that we cut, a version that's attracted all the acclaim that the original production never h...
published: 26 Mar 2007
Let Me Down Easy
Provided to YouTube by Parlophone UK
Let Me Down Easy · Bettye Lavette
The Complete Calla, Port and Roulette Recordings
℗ 1965 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Composer: Holloway
Composer, Writer: James McDougal
Composer: McDougal
Composer, Writer: Wrecia Holloway
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 14 Jan 2017
Bettye Lavette - Let Me Down Easy (1965)
Bettye Lavette performing Let Me Down Easy (1965)
published: 17 Feb 2023
Let Me Down Easy (Remastered 2022)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Let Me Down Easy (Remastered 2022) · Bettye LaVette
Let Me Down Easy: Bettye LaVette In Memphis
℗ 1965 Sun Label Group, LLC
Released on: 2022-07-22
Producer: Don Gardner
Composer Lyricist: Wrecia Holloway
Composer Lyricist: James McDougal
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 21 Jul 2022
Bettye LaVette - "Let Me Down Easy" Lyric Video
Bettye LaVette - "Let Me Down Easy" Lyric Video
Bettye LaVette performs "Let Me Down Easy" as featured in ODESZA's "The Last Goodbye (feat. Bettye LaVette)" with lyrics on screen.
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published: 24 Mar 2022
Bettye Lavette - Let Me Down Easy (Jools Annual Hootenanny 2013)
On Air: 31 Dec 2012
*** Credits and Very Special Thanks to TheBox.bz and to original TV capper ***
Although she was indeed signed to Motown, and therefore was an obvious contender to become a part of Motorcity, the sassy Miss B. was far more well known for he...
Although she was indeed signed to Motown, and therefore was an obvious contender to become a part of Motorcity, the sassy Miss B. was far more well known for her work prior to Motown, on Atlantic, Calla, Big Wheel, West End, Atco, and on so many other labels. I adore her voice. Amy Winehouse has just made a major pop career by sounding like Bettye Lavette. Not only did Bettye sound fabulous, and still does, but she was drop dead gorgeous too, as her pictures will attest. She was a privilege to have on Motorcity, and to record more than an album's worth of material with her, and, in fact, only recently, her old Motorcity recording of "Right Out Of Time" has just gone massive with a brand new version that we cut, a version that's attracted all the acclaim that the original production never had, and even got played on Radio Two. Bettye's biggest ever hit was "Let Me Down Easy", a record on the Calla label that the late Dave Godin revered as if it were a religious experience. We were fortunate enough in Detroit in 1990 to not only re-record it, but to shoot some wonderful footage of the lady singing her heart and soul out like no one else can.
Although she was indeed signed to Motown, and therefore was an obvious contender to become a part of Motorcity, the sassy Miss B. was far more well known for her work prior to Motown, on Atlantic, Calla, Big Wheel, West End, Atco, and on so many other labels. I adore her voice. Amy Winehouse has just made a major pop career by sounding like Bettye Lavette. Not only did Bettye sound fabulous, and still does, but she was drop dead gorgeous too, as her pictures will attest. She was a privilege to have on Motorcity, and to record more than an album's worth of material with her, and, in fact, only recently, her old Motorcity recording of "Right Out Of Time" has just gone massive with a brand new version that we cut, a version that's attracted all the acclaim that the original production never had, and even got played on Radio Two. Bettye's biggest ever hit was "Let Me Down Easy", a record on the Calla label that the late Dave Godin revered as if it were a religious experience. We were fortunate enough in Detroit in 1990 to not only re-record it, but to shoot some wonderful footage of the lady singing her heart and soul out like no one else can.
Provided to YouTube by Parlophone UK
Let Me Down Easy · Bettye Lavette
The Complete Calla, Port and Roulette Recordings
℗ 1965 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warn...
Provided to YouTube by Parlophone UK
Let Me Down Easy · Bettye Lavette
The Complete Calla, Port and Roulette Recordings
℗ 1965 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Composer: Holloway
Composer, Writer: James McDougal
Composer: McDougal
Composer, Writer: Wrecia Holloway
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Parlophone UK
Let Me Down Easy · Bettye Lavette
The Complete Calla, Port and Roulette Recordings
℗ 1965 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Composer: Holloway
Composer, Writer: James McDougal
Composer: McDougal
Composer, Writer: Wrecia Holloway
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Let Me Down Easy (Remastered 2022) · Bettye LaVette
Let Me Down Easy: Bettye LaVette In Memphis
℗ 1965 Sun Label...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Let Me Down Easy (Remastered 2022) · Bettye LaVette
Let Me Down Easy: Bettye LaVette In Memphis
℗ 1965 Sun Label Group, LLC
Released on: 2022-07-22
Producer: Don Gardner
Composer Lyricist: Wrecia Holloway
Composer Lyricist: James McDougal
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Let Me Down Easy (Remastered 2022) · Bettye LaVette
Let Me Down Easy: Bettye LaVette In Memphis
℗ 1965 Sun Label Group, LLC
Released on: 2022-07-22
Producer: Don Gardner
Composer Lyricist: Wrecia Holloway
Composer Lyricist: James McDougal
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Bettye LaVette - "Let Me Down Easy" Lyric Video
Bettye LaVette performs "Let Me Down Easy" as featured in ODESZA's "The Last Goodbye (feat. Bettye LaVette)" wit...
Bettye LaVette - "Let Me Down Easy" Lyric Video
Bettye LaVette performs "Let Me Down Easy" as featured in ODESZA's "The Last Goodbye (feat. Bettye LaVette)" with lyrics on screen.
Sun Records - Where Rock & Roll Was Born.
Subscribe to Sun Records YouTube channel: https://SunRecords.lnk.to/SunSubscribeYT
Stream more Sun Records Lyric Videos here:
https://SunRecords.lnk.to/SunLyricsYT
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#SunRecords #BettyeLaVette #SunLyrics
Bettye LaVette - "Let Me Down Easy" Lyric Video
Bettye LaVette performs "Let Me Down Easy" as featured in ODESZA's "The Last Goodbye (feat. Bettye LaVette)" with lyrics on screen.
Sun Records - Where Rock & Roll Was Born.
Subscribe to Sun Records YouTube channel: https://SunRecords.lnk.to/SunSubscribeYT
Stream more Sun Records Lyric Videos here:
https://SunRecords.lnk.to/SunLyricsYT
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Follow Sun Records
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Although she was indeed signed to Motown, and therefore was an obvious contender to become a part of Motorcity, the sassy Miss B. was far more well known for her work prior to Motown, on Atlantic, Calla, Big Wheel, West End, Atco, and on so many other labels. I adore her voice. Amy Winehouse has just made a major pop career by sounding like Bettye Lavette. Not only did Bettye sound fabulous, and still does, but she was drop dead gorgeous too, as her pictures will attest. She was a privilege to have on Motorcity, and to record more than an album's worth of material with her, and, in fact, only recently, her old Motorcity recording of "Right Out Of Time" has just gone massive with a brand new version that we cut, a version that's attracted all the acclaim that the original production never had, and even got played on Radio Two. Bettye's biggest ever hit was "Let Me Down Easy", a record on the Calla label that the late Dave Godin revered as if it were a religious experience. We were fortunate enough in Detroit in 1990 to not only re-record it, but to shoot some wonderful footage of the lady singing her heart and soul out like no one else can.
Provided to YouTube by Parlophone UK
Let Me Down Easy · Bettye Lavette
The Complete Calla, Port and Roulette Recordings
℗ 1965 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Composer: Holloway
Composer, Writer: James McDougal
Composer: McDougal
Composer, Writer: Wrecia Holloway
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Let Me Down Easy (Remastered 2022) · Bettye LaVette
Let Me Down Easy: Bettye LaVette In Memphis
℗ 1965 Sun Label Group, LLC
Released on: 2022-07-22
Producer: Don Gardner
Composer Lyricist: Wrecia Holloway
Composer Lyricist: James McDougal
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Bettye LaVette - "Let Me Down Easy" Lyric Video
Bettye LaVette performs "Let Me Down Easy" as featured in ODESZA's "The Last Goodbye (feat. Bettye LaVette)" with lyrics on screen.
Sun Records - Where Rock & Roll Was Born.
Subscribe to Sun Records YouTube channel: https://SunRecords.lnk.to/SunSubscribeYT
Stream more Sun Records Lyric Videos here:
https://SunRecords.lnk.to/SunLyricsYT
Shop Sun Records:
https://SunRecords.lnk.to/SunStoreYT
Follow Sun Records
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrecordcompany/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunrecords/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunrecords
#SunRecords #BettyeLaVette #SunLyrics
LaVette was born in Muskegon, Michigan, and raised in Detroit. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she did not begin singing in the church, but in her parents' living room, singing R&B and country and western music. She was signed by Johnnie Mae Matthews, a local record producer. In 1962, aged sixteen, she recorded a single, "My Man—He's a Lovin' Man", with Matthews, which became a Top Ten R&B hit after Atlantic Records bought distribution rights. This led to a tour with rhythm and blues musicians Clyde McPhatter, Ben E. King, Barbara Lynn, and then-newcomer Otis Redding. She next hit the charts with “Let Me Down Easy” on Calla Records in 1965. This led to a brief stint with The James Brown Revue. After recording several 45–rpm singles for local Detroit labels, in 1969 LaVette signed to the Silver Fox label. She cut a handful of tracks, including two Top 40 R&B hits: “He Made A Woman Out Of Me” and “Do Your Duty”. The Memphis studio musicians on these recordings have since become known as The Dixie Flyers. In 1972, she signed once again with Atlantic/Atco. She was sent to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama to record what was to be her first full-length album. Titled Child of the Seventies, it was produced by Brad Shapiro and featured the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, now known as The Swampers, but Atco chose not to issue the album.