靈魂歌手R.B Greaves去世，享年67歲
文／夏禮章
以1969年的暢銷曲"Take A Letter, Maria"成名的R.B Greaves9月27日於洛杉磯不幸去世（67歲），本名Ronald Bertram Greaves III的他出生於英屬蓋亞納的Georgetown美國空軍基地，是著名的靈魂歌手Sam Cook（已故前輩靈魂歌手，唱紅You Send Me）的侄兒，1963年搬到英格蘭之前R.B Greaves在一個印第安保留區長大，起初他以Sonny Childe & the TNTs之名在英國與加勒比海地區出唱片，回到美國之後加入Atco唱片後終於以"Take A Letter, Maria"獲得排行榜第2名而成名 。▲以1969年的暢銷曲"Take A Letter, Maria"成名的R.B Greaves9月27日於洛杉磯不幸去世。 (圖／翻攝自網路)
之後他以"Always Something There To Remind Me"得過27名，但其他4首歌都沒進過排行榜80名之內，其中包括翻唱James Taylor的"Fire & Rain"與Procol Harum的名曲"Whiter Shade Of Pale"。R.B Greaves搬回洛杉磯後，在科技公司上班，但一直對音樂工作念念不忘。
Take A Letter, MariaR.B Greaves
Last night, as I got home, about a half past tenThere was the woman I thought I knew in the arms of another man.I kept my cool, I ain't no fool. Let me tell ya what happened then.I packed some clothes and I walked out ..and I ain't goin' back again.
ChorusSo take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..gotta start a new lifeOh Take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSend a copy to my lawyer..gotta start a new life
You've been many things but most of all a good secretary to meAnd it's time like this I feel, you've always been close to meWas I wrong to work nights, to try to build a good life?All work, and no play has just cost me a wife
ChorusSo take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..gotta start a new lifeTake a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSend a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understandThat she would find pleasure in the arms of another manI never really noticed, how sweet you are to meIt just so happens I'm free tonight, would you like to have dinner with me?
So take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..gonna start a new lifeOhhhh, Take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSend a copy to my lawyer..Gonna have a new lifeTake a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..fade out