Who is he and what is he to you

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Withers wrote this song with Stan McKenney, who also wrote some songs for The Chi-Lites. The song finds the singer angry and accusatory, as he knows his girl has been cheating on him. Withers explained to Mojo in 2003: "Stan McKenney sent those lyrics to me in the mail. I've gotten a gazillion things in the mail and that's the only one I've ever done something with, because I could see it. If I don't see it, it doesn't occur to me, so I don't attempt to say it."
Withers wasn't the only one who could "see it." Many listeners could relate to the song, and it has endured through many cover versions. A 1974 recording by the group Creative Source, who like Withers were signed to Sussex Records, went to #69 on the US pop charts and #21 R&B. In versions by The Three Degrees, Jean Knight and Gladys Knight & the Pips, the gender is changed, making the song "Who Is She (And What Is She To You)." Meshell Ndegeocello, who is bisexual, kept the original lyrics when she covered the song in 1996, and in 2009, Tower of Power recorded it for their album The Great American Soulbook. (interview with Bill Withers)
Withers' original version was used in the 1997 Quentin Tarantino movie Jackie Brown.

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Bill Withers - Who Is He (And What Is He to You)
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Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine ( Super HQ )
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"Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" is a track from Bill Withers' 1972 album, Still Bill. The music was written by Withers along with Stan McKenny, who wrote the lyrics.[1] The song has also been featured on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown.[2]

"Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?"Song by Bill Withersfrom the album Still BillReleasedMay 1972GenreSoulLength3:12LabelSussexSongwriter(s)William Withers
Stanley McKennyProducer(s)Ray Jackson

"Who Is He and What Is He to You" Single by Meshell Ndegeocellofrom the album Peace Beyond PassionReleased1996GenreNeo soulLength4:49LabelMaverickSongwriter(s)

Bill Withers
Stan McKenny

Meshell Ndegeocello singles chronology

"Wild Night"
(1994)

"Who Is He and What Is He to You"
(1996)

"Leviticus: Faggot"
(1996)

In 1973, R&B group Gladys Knight & The Pips recorded a cover for the song on their album, Neither One of Us.
In 1974, R&B vocal group Creative Source had their biggest hit with the song which peaked at No. 21 on the soul chart and No. 69 on the Hot 100.[3]
In 1996, Valerie Carter recorded the song under the title "Who Is She (And What Is She to You)" on her third album, The Way It Is.
In 1996, Meshell Ndegeocello recorded the song for her Peace Beyond Passion CD. Her version was her only number one on the US dance charts as a solo artist,[4] and peaked at No. 34 on the soul chart.[5]

List of number-one dance singles of 1996 (U.S.)

^ "Bill Withers - Still Bill (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
^ "Jackie Brown [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 138.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 186.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 425.