Lou Rawls - For What It's Worth / You Made Me So Very Happy

Year Released: 1969
Genre: Soul / Jazz / Conscious R&B

Description:
Released on Capitol Records, this double A-side single features Lou Rawls reinterpreting two countercultural anthems of the late 1960s. His version of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” transforms the folk-rock protest tune into a laid-back, horn-laced soul-jazz groove, rich with Rawls’ baritone gravitas. The flip side, “You Made Me So Very Happy” (originally by Brenda Holloway and popularized by Blood, Sweat & Tears), finds Rawls in a more romantic, gospel-soul mode, showcasing his trademark blend of warmth and sophistication.

“For What It’s Worth” has been sampled by DJ Shadow and used in cinematic soul compilations for its moody bassline and socially conscious tone. Both tracks illustrate how Rawls bridged the gap between jazz, soul, and pop during a politically charged era — a fusion that would later influence Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On and the socially aware R&B of the 1970s.