Frederick Knight
Frederick Knight was an influential American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer born on August 15, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama (often noted as Bessemer). He rose to prominence in the soul music scene during the 1970s.
Knight began performing and writing music at a young age, starting with local labels like Maxine Recording Company in the late 1960s. Tracks like "Steppin’ Down" and "Heart Complication" showcased his funky, percussion-driven style, co-written with collaborators such as Sidney Austin. He later worked with Stax Records from 1972, recording in Birmingham with seasoned southern soul musicians.
His biggest solo hit, "I've Been Lonely for So Long," reached number 22 on the UK charts in 1972 and appeared in the 1973 documentary Wattsta.x Another success was "I Betcha Didn't Know That" in 1975. Knight founded Juana Records after Stax's decline, producing The Controllers and writing Anita Ward's 1979 UK number-one hit "Ring My Bell."
Knight contributed songs to films like The A-Team (2010), Cell (2016), and The Book of Eli (2010). Despite being labeled a one-hit wonder in some circles due to limited solo chart follow-ups, his production and songwriting left a lasting impact on soul and disco. He remains recognized for bridging southern soul with broader R&B success.
I’ve Been Lonely For So Long
A2 This Is My Song Of Love To You (Frederick Knight 3:14)
A3 Take Me On Home Witcha (Aaron Varnell, Frederick Knight, Sam Dees 3:20)
A4 Friend (Frederick Knight 3:28)
A5 I Let My Chance Go By (Harrison Calloway 3:54)
A6 Your Love's All Over Me (Aaron Varnell, Frederick Knight, Jesse Boyce, Sam Dees 2:46)
B1 Pick'um Up, Put'um Down (Jerry Weaver 3:21)
B2 Now That I've Found You (Brenda Yancy, Tommy Tate 3:02)
B3 Lean On Me (Aaron Varnell, Frederick Knight 3:04)
B4 Trouble (Aaron Varnell, Frederick Knight 3:)
B5 Someday We'll Be Together (Harvey Fuqua, Jackie Beaver, Johnny Bristol 4:14)
Track Listing:
Label: Stax – STS-3011
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
I've Been Lonely For So Long is Frederick Knight's 1972 debut album for Stax Records, featuring the signature title track, a soulful and country-tinged R&B ballad that became a major hit. The album is known for its slow-burning, soulful feel, with Knight's high-end falsetto vocals supported by rich organ and instrumentation that shows some influence from the Muscle Shoals sound.
The album showcases Knight's high-register vocals, which range from weary and mature to a distinctive, airily light high voice. The instrumentation heavily features an organ, creating a bubbling, energetic texture, along with prominent guitar work from Jesse Carr. The overall sound is organic and authentic, diverging slightly from the more trademark styles of the time.
The album is characterized by its deep, soulful sound, with a heavy emphasis on organ and a unique, twangy, falsetto delivery from Knight.
The title track was a major success, reaching number 8 on the U.S. R&B charts and number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts. It was also a chart hit in the UK.
The album marked Knight's breakthrough and helped establish him as a solo artist, even though he would later find more fame as a prolific songwriter and producer for others.
The album is considered a Southern Soul classic, known for its deeply soulful, slow-burning feel, and features a distinctive blend of smooth and raw instrumentation that has been compared to the Muscle Shoals sound.