Solomon Burke - Got To Get You Off My Mind / Cry To Me

Year Released: 1965 (reissue pairing)
Label: Atlantic Records
Genre: Soul / Rhythm & Blues

Description:
Few voices in soul music carry the gravitas of Solomon Burke, and this double-sided gem pairs two of his most enduring recordings.

“Got to Get You Off My Mind” — written in the wake of Sam Cooke’s death — became Burke’s biggest hit, reaching #1 on the R&B charts in 1965. With its laid-back shuffle and bittersweet tone, it perfectly showcases his deep gospel roots and his gift for turning heartbreak into something transcendent.

The flip side, “Cry to Me,” originally released in 1962, remains one of the most soulful slow burners in R&B history — an aching blend of vulnerability and passion. Rediscovered by new generations after its use in the “Dirty Dancing” (1987) soundtrack, it became a timeless symbol of soul’s emotional depth.

Both tracks have been covered and sampled widely: “Cry to Me” by Betty Harris, The Pretty Things, and Marc Broussard, while “Got to Get You Off My Mind” has inspired countless reinterpretations by Southern soul and blues artists. This single encapsulates everything great about Solomon Burke — spiritual depth, emotional grit, and unshakable soul.