Barry White – You’re the First, the Last, My Everything

Live at  The Midnight Special, on November 15, 1974.

Peter Radcliffe originally wrote the track as a country song with the title “You’re My First, You’re My Last, My In-Between”, which went unrecorded for 21 years. White recorded it as a disco song, retaining most of the musical structure while rewriting the lyrics.

When White was down on his luck, Radcliffe stepped up and bought his children toys for Christmas – a kindness White didn’t forget when he became famous. So when Radcliffe offered him the song, he didn’t hesitate to hear it.

Tony Sepe, another songwriter who was in the room (and whose name ended up on the tune), laughed when he heard the country song with the clip-clop of horses’ hooves keeping the rhythm. He was shocked by White’s positive reaction. The singer recalled to Billboard: “I said, ‘Sterling, that song is a smash.’ Tony’s face actually changed. I said, ‘Sterling, I want you to stay out of my face for the next two or three weeks. When you come back, you’re going to be part of a smash.'”

This was White’s third #1 single on the R&B chart.

“You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” – Single by Barry White from the album Can’t Get Enough
B-side: “More Than Anything, You’re My Everything”
Released: October 25, 1974 (UK)
Recorded: 1974
Songwriters: Peter Radcliffe, Tony Sepe, Barry White
Producer: Barry White
Charted No.2 US Billboard Hot 100; No.1 US Billboard R&B No. 1 UK; No.1 Spain; No.9 West Germany; No.60 Australia; No.8 Canada.

Video from the “Pavarotti & Friends for Afghanistan” event in 2001.