Well bless my soul, is that you?
And do you have tears in your eyes?

Certain songs come into my life and stay there for a long time. I wouldn't call it obsession so much, but they get played a lot, end up in a number of playlists and never lose their appeal. Wednesday Week is one such track, and this is another.

Released in 1974 but apparently recorded in 1972, written and produced by Tony Bell and Phil Hurtt of the Philadelphia-based Young Professionals production team, it's no surprise that this straddles soul and disco. I can imagine this going down well at the Blackpool Mecca (in true Northern style it was originally a B-side).

There's lots going on here that ticks my boxes: big churchy organ, fuzzed guitar, energetic bassline, horn riffs, angelic female backing vocals, alternating washes and stabs of strings, a relentless 4/4 drum beat; there's even a harp in there. And over the top, Bettye spits out a heartfelt diss to some hapless schmuck.

Does she make your passion rise? And then cut you down to size?
How does it feel baby, when the game is played on you?

As it happens I first heard this track via a Tom Moulton mix on one of his 'Philly Regrooved' collections about 12 years ago. It feels right that the man who effectively invented the dance remix gets his hand on this and gives the track 'A Tom Moulton Mix'. He stretches the song out, giving it space to breathe and adding a dancefloor sheen - more disco than soul. Even after countless listens this track still moves me.

3:08 or 10:28 - take your pick; either way it's an absolute belter.

Well you sure look strange to me, down there on your knees
How does it feel baby, when the game is played on you?