Strawberry Letter 23

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"Strawberry Letter 23" is a song written by Shuggie Otis, although known most prominently by the version done by The Brothers Johnson. Otis wrote the song for a girlfriend, who used strawberry-scented paper in letters to him. George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis' cousins when he came across Freedom Flight, Otis' 1972 album that featured the song. The group would later record it for their 1977 album Right On Time, under legendary producer Quincy Jones. The album would go platinum. "Strawberry Letter 23", as recorded by The Brothers Johnson, in a funkier, more dance oriented vein than the original Otis version, hit the Hot 100 #5 and R&B #1 in 1977. The famous solo in this song was originally recorded by Shuggie Otis. Studio guitar player Lee Ritenour later recreated Shuggie Otis original solo for the Brothers Johnson 1977 album.

The song's title appears at initial glance to be a misnomer, the actual lyrics reading in part: "...a present from you, Strawberry Letter 22." The song describes the feelings evoked by "Strawberry Letter 22," the title indicating the hopes of another letter. Another explanation is that the song is a reply to strawberry letter 22 and the title refers to the song being like a "strawberry letter 23"

The Brothers Johnson version of the song featured prominently in the "Ecotone" episode of the HBO series Six Feet Under when main character Nate Fisher and his brother David experienced a shared dream which included their deceased father.

The song was covered by Tevin Campbell on his debut release, T.E.V.I.N. in 1992 and hit #40 and the Billboard R&B charts. It was used in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown. It was featured in the second episode of the third season of Nip/Tuck. It was also included in the Collector's Edition of the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. It was also featured in a commercial for Special K Red Berries breakfast cereal and one for Diet Coke. In addition, the song's melody was sampled for the verses on Beyoncé's "Be With You" from her 2003 debut solo album, Dangerously In Love .

Preceded by "Slide" by Slave	Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number one single (The Brothers Johnson version) August 6, 1977	Succeeded by "Float On" by The Floaters

[edit] Sampling

The Brother's Johnson version was also heavily sampled by Dr. Dre in his multi-platinum record "The Chronic" and 'echoes' of the song's melody can be heard on Color Me Badd's 1992 #1 R&B hit "I Wanna Sex You Up".

[edit] Tevin Campbell version

“Strawberry Letter 23”

Single by Tevin Campbell
from the album T.E.V.I.N.

Released

May 14, 1992

Format

CD single, Cassette single

Tevin Campbell singles chronology

"Goodbye"
(1992)

"Strawberry Letter 23"
(1992)

"Alone With You"
(1992)

"Strawberry Letter 23" is the fifth single from R&B singer Tevin Campbell's debut album T.E.V.I.N.. The song is a cover off of the The Brothers Johnson hit song. The song didn't gain much charts success as it did for The Brothers Johnson or as much success as Tevin's previous hits only peaking at #53 on the Hot 100 and #40 on the R&B charts. Two of the main differences between the original and the Tevin Campbell remake is that (1) Campbell's version is more up-tempo, and (2) his version also includes a rap that mentions "the letter 23."