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Gwen Guthrie

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Gwen Guthrie (July 14 (some sources say July 9) 1950 – February 3, 1999) was an American singer and songwriter, who also sang backing vocals for Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, and Madonna, among others, and who wrote songs made famous by Ben E. King, Gary Glitter and Roberta Flack.

Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma and raised in Newark, New Jersey. In school, she studied classical music, and her father began teaching her piano when she was eight years old. By the early 1970s, she had joined vocal groups such as the Ebonettes and the Matchmakers, meanwhile working as an elementary school teacher. When a backup singer scheduled to sing on Aretha Franklin’s 1974 single “I’m in Love” fell ill, Guthrie took the vocalist’s place beside Cissy Houston; thus Guthrie would happily state that her career on record began “at the top”.

Guthrie soon began moonlighting as a singer of commercial jingles, sometimes with her friend Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson fame). A songwriting partnership with Patrick Grant resulted in Ben E. King’s comeback single, “Supernatural Thing”, and “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter”, covered by numerous artists. Together they wrote seven tracks on the Sister Sledge’s 1975 album Circle Of Love: Cross My Heart, Protect Our Love, Love Don’t You Go Through No Changes On Me, Don’t You Miss Him Now, Pain Reliever, You’re Much Better Off Loving Me, and Fireman. She was also the writer of Roberta Flack’s “God Don’t Like Ugly”.

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disco, 80s, soul, funk, dance
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Top Tracks

1	Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent full track	143
2	It Should Have Been You full track	65
3	(They Long To Be) Close To You full track	64
4	Padlock	45
5	Peanut Butter full track	36
6	Seventh Heaven (Larry Levan Mix)	17
7	Ain't Nothing Going on but the Rent	15
8	Seventh Heaven	14
9	Seventh Heaven - Levan Mix	12
10	Outside In The Rain	7
10	Peanut Butter (Larry Levan remix)	7
10	Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent - 12" Club Mix	7
13	Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent (12" Club Mix)	6
13	Ain't Nothing Goin' on but the Rent	6
15	Padlock (Larry Levan Mix)	5

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FiyahG wrote:
December 2009

dope ish!

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marillano wrote:
September 2009

..immer noch.............!

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marillano wrote:
November 2008

einfach nur geil !!!!!

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PFE2008 wrote:
October 2008

I have posted a new pic of Gwen, give it a vote if you like it.

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PFE2008 wrote:
September 2008

Gwen is the real deal, from peekaboo, 7th heaven, it shouldve been you, love in moderation, thrill me, the list goes on

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sayheyheyhey wrote:
August 2008

Love Gwen? Love divas but think the others ain't got nothing going on but the rent? Then join the new Last.FM group 'Divas' to celebrate the greatest divas on the planet! http://www.last.fm/group/Divas%21

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Mereillejames wrote:
February 2008

God Ain't Nothin' Goin On But The Rent... amazing. period. Could probably listen to it all day.

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ted1986 wrote:
February 2008

They long to be close to you!

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treveera wrote:
December 2007

how I've missed these songs ..

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Colfire wrote:
September 2007

No Romance without finance!!!

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danijelr15 wrote:
August 2007

This woman is on fire. Gotta love her.

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pearuhsaurus wrote:
June 2007

Does anyone have Peek-a-boo? It's in my head and driving me CRAZY!

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Recent Activity

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