Every Beat of My Heart

About Every Beat of My Heart

"Every Beat of My Heart" is a rhythm and blues song by Johnny Otis. It was first recorded in 1954 by his group, The Royals (later to be known as The Midnighters). In 1961 Gladys Knight & the Pips recorded the song for their debut single on the Vee-Jay label. Credited to The Pips, it was the first of eleven releases by the group to make it to number one on the R&B/soul chart. It was also the group's first top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. "Every Beat of My Heart" was first recorded for the Huntom label, who later sold the master to Vee-Jay. At the time of the song's release, The Pips were on the Fury label where they re-recorded the song without piano. In an unusual occurrence, the Fury recording of the song also made the top twenty on the R&B Sides chart and also made the Hot 100. James Brown recorded an instrumental version of "Every Beat of My Heart" with his band which was released as the B-side of his 1963 single "Like a Baby" and charted #99 Pop. more »