No.51 LEON HAYWOOD

DON’T PUSH IT DON’T FORCE IT

Leon Haywood‘s only UK hit was a classic example of a track feeling the benefit of radio airplay. A low profile release in 1980, it nevertheless became a staple of daytime radio and helped a hitherto unheralded musician into the limelight.

The Texan singer-songwriter was a dogged performer in the 60s R&B scene. He maintained a recording career as both a solo artist and group member through the late 60s and 70s, earning respect in the industry but with little commercial reward for his work.

In the spring of 1980, Don’t Push It Don’t Force It came out. A hybrid of hard funk rhythms and a smooth, polished soul vocal, it evaded the caustic anti-disco sentiment and provided an alternative to the rash of moody electro-pop and acne-dotted new wave dominating pop attitudes.

In the UK, it made it on to Radio 1‘s playlist and, after a seven-week climb, peaked at No.12 in the charts.

Haywood was approaching 40 and was already planning to retreat into the background by the time he had this unexpected success, making only two more albums. He mentored artists on his record label, wrote and produced for others, and in later years returned to his first love, the blues. He died in 2016, aged 74