"Ain't That Good News", also known as "Good News", is a song written and performed by soul singer Sam Cooke, released on RCA Records in 1964. The song was recorded in three takes for the 1964 album of the same name and reached number eleven on the pop chart, and number one on the Cashbox Magazine's R&B charts as a single. Cooke performed the song live on American Bandstand on April 4 of the same year. It is a modern adaptation of an older gospel song of the same title.
Contents
Music
The song was the first piece of new material that Cooke had recorded in the six months following the drowning death of his 18-month-old son Vincent. After reaching a new deal with RCA Records, Sam Cooke received more creative freedom in his work and had chosen a fine line of session musicians to accompany him.
Known for his gospel roots, Sam Cooke often used church influences in his music. "Ain't That Good News" is a secular reworking of an old spiritual. The spiritual's lyrics proclaimed the singer's faith and love for Jesus, built around gospel themes and a slow gospel tempo with an underlying pulsating drive. Sam Cooke, however, transformed the song into an uptempo soulful number with an upbeat horn and rhythm section. Cooke's version has the same feel, passion, and soul as the original, but is about the faith and love of a woman.
Reception
Cash Box said that Cooke "lashes out with expected polish and vigor on this happy-sounding affair" and said that the song "has that top ten sound."
Personnel
Credits for the song adapted from album liner notes.
Sam Cooke - vocals
Horn Section
John Ewing - trombone
Jewell Grant - saxophone
William Green - saxophone
Edgar Redmond - saxophone
Rhythm Section
Joseph Gibbons - guitar, banjo
Edward Hall - drums, percussion
René Hall - guitar
Howard Roberts - guitar
John Pisano - guitar
Emil Radocchia - marimba, tympani, percussion
Clifton White - guitar
Eddie Tilman - bass
Cover Versions
Cooke's version was later covered by many acts, such as:
The Supremes (led by Florence Ballard)
Otis Rush
David Fathead Newman
King Curtis
Ian Moss