1975 single by Barbi Benton
"Ain't That Just the Way"
|
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|
|
A-side
| "The Reverend Bob"
|
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Released
| 1975
(
1975
)
|
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Length
| 2
:
55
|
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Label
| Playboy
|
---|
Songwriter(s)
|
|
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Producer(s)
| Stu Phillips
|
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|
"Roll You Like a Wheel"
(1975)
|
"
Ain't That Just the Way
"
(1975)
|
"Staying Power"
(1976)
| |
"
Ain't That Just the Way
" is a song written by
Bruce Belland
,
Glen Larson
and
Stu Phillips
. American model, actress and singer
Barbi Benton
originally recorded it for release as the B-side of her 1975 single "The Reverend Bob". It became a major hit in Scandinavia, especially in Sweden, topping the
Swedish singles chart
for 10 weeks in 1977. It also topped the charts in Finland. In 1978, it appeared on her album with the same name, released only in Scandinavia. The song was performed in the
McCloud
TV series.
[1]
In 1996,
Lutricia McNeal
's cover of "Ain't That Just the Way" became a hit in Europe and New Zealand.
Charts
[
edit
]
Lutricia McNeal version
[
edit
]
American singer
Lutricia McNeal
released her version of "Ain't That Just the Way" as her debut single in November 1996. It was included on her debut album,
My Side of Town
, in 1997. The single became a hit in Europe, topping the
Swedish Singles Chart
on the week of November 15, 1996, and reaching the top five in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It also found success in New Zealand, peaking at number two for four weeks and becoming McNeal's highest-charting single in the country until 1999, when "
My Side of Town
" reached number one.
In 2020, McNeal re-recorded her vocals for "Ain't That Just the Way", which were used in a new version of this song, recorded by German DJ
Charming Horses
and released on 13 March 2020.
Background and release
[
edit
]
Lutricia McNeal
first came to notice as the lead singer of Swedish dance act
Rob'n'Raz
. Their 1993-hit "
In Command
" went to number one in Sweden. In 1995 their manager, Jonas Siljemark, convinced McNeal to try some solo recordings for his own Siljemark label. She recorded an cover on
Barbi Benton
's 1975 song "Ain't That Just the Way", which topped the
Swedish Singles Chart
for 10 weeks in 1997.
After peaking at number one in Sweden in 1996, "Ain't That Just the Way" was picked up by Dutch radio programmers early in 1997. It sold 55,000 units there, then the record broke into neighboring Germany. Later, it gained popularity in Belgium, Austria and Switzerland.
[5]
In November 1997 "Ain't That Just the Way" debuted and peaked at number six on the
UK Singles Chart
, and in April 1998 it reached number two on the
New Zealand Singles Chart
for four consecutive weeks.
McNeal won the Best Newcomer award for "Ain't That Just The Way" at the 1997 Swedish Dance Awards.
[6]
Critical reception
[
edit
]
Larry Flick
from
Billboard
wrote that McNeal "earns high marks on her first single if only for not falling into the trap of mimicking
Mary J. Blige
or
Brandy
like nearly every other
jeep-soul
diva in waiting. Instead, she aims to forge her own original path, belting with little attitude and absolutely no affectation. The result is a wonderfully charming, instantly infectious recording that leaves you hankering for more. For trend followers, the groove chugs at a spirited
hip hop
pace, blossoming into a full-bodied pop sing-along at the chorus. It's anyone's guess which format will climb aboard first?and it hardly matters since this smacks with across-the-board appeal."
[7]
Adrian Thrills from
Daily Mail
viewed it as "sassy", adding that the singer is "mixing the soulful swagger of
Donna Summer
with a flapper-girl elegance reminiscent of the
Pointer Sisters
".
[8]
Dave Sholin from the
Gavin Report
commented that American-born McNeal "had to travel over-seas to follow her star, but based on this debut single, that star is about to follow her home. Originally from
Oklahoma City
, she wound up in Sweden where she fell in love, got married, and also hit the top of the charts. That success has since spread to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This song is next set to hit the streets in the U.S.A. and the UK. It's easy to get caught up in the flow of this cool entry."
[9]
Pan-European magazine
Music & Media
noted that the singer's cover "features an urban soul sound which is finding favour in playlist meetings at CHR, rock and dance stations alike."
[10]
Dave Fawbert from
ShortList
complimented the song as a "great little tune".
[11]
Music video
[
edit
]
The accompanying
music video
for "
Ain't That Just the Way
" was directed by Swedish director and photographer
Patric Ullaeus
.
Track listing
[
edit
]
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (original version) (3:34)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (extended version) (4:28)
- Sweden CD single (The Remixes) (1996)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (radio edit) (3:22)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (Hurb's Mix) (4:53)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (extended version) (4:27)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (EZ's vinyl version) (4:21)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (Stripped extended version) (3:54)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (original version) (3:34)
|
- UK and Ireland: CD maxi (1997)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (original mix) (3:11)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (Steve Antony R&B edit) (4:03)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (Steve Antony Rok Dat Club Mix) (5:15)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (Baby Bud Mix) (3:33)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (In Da City Mix) (6:43)
- "Ain't That Just the Way" (Steve Antony R&B Mix) (5:31)
|
Charts
[
edit
]
Weekly charts
[
edit
]
|
Year-end charts
[
edit
]
Chart (1996)
|
Position
|
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
[33]
|
17
|
Sweden (Swedish Dance Chart)
[27]
|
21
|
Chart (1997)
|
Position
|
Austria (O3 Austria Top 40)
[34]
|
22
|
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
[35]
|
42
|
Germany (Official German Charts)
[36]
|
27
|
Iceland (Islenski Listinn Topp 40)
[37]
|
61
|
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
[38]
|
29
|
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
[39]
|
27
|
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
[40]
|
50
|
UK Singles (OCC)
[41]
[42]
|
59
|
Chart (1998)
|
Position
|
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
[43]
|
15
|
UK Singles (OCC)
[44]
|
144
|
Chart (2020)
|
Position
|
Poland (
ZPAV
)
[45]
(with Charming Horses)
|
70
|
|
Certifications
[
edit
]
Release history
[
edit
]
Other versions
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"McCloud (TV Series)"
.
Internet Movie Database
(in Swedish). 1975
. Retrieved
May 8,
2011
.
- ^
Nyman, Jake (2005).
Suomi soi 4. Suuri suomalainen listakirja
. Helsinki: Tammi. p. 152.
ISBN
951-31-2504-1
.
- ^
"
Barbi Benton ? Ain't That Just the Way (That Life Goes Down)"
.
VG-lista
.
- ^
"
Barbi Benton ? Ain't That Just the Way (That Life Goes Down)"
.
Singles Top 100
.
- ^
"Radio is Just The Way for diva McNeal"
(PDF)
.
Music & Media
. January 24, 1998. p. 1
. Retrieved
June 19,
2018
.
- ^
"Veterans acts scoop Swedish Dance Awards"
(PDF)
.
Music & Media
. April 19, 1997. p. 6
. Retrieved
March 7,
2018
.
- ^
Flick, Larry
(December 13, 1997).
"New & Noteworthy"
(PDF)
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
January 24,
2018
.
- ^
Thrills, Adrian (July 17, 1998). "Spirited Crows soar ever higher; It's Friday! Music!".
Daily Mail
.
- ^
Sholin, Dave (November 14, 1997).
"Gavin Picks > Singles"
(PDF)
.
Gavin Report
. No. 2181. p. 54
. Retrieved
April 16,
2018
.
- ^
"Airborne"
(PDF)
.
Music & Media
. December 6, 1997. p. 17
. Retrieved
December 23,
2019
.
- ^
Fawbert, Dave (November 17, 2017).
"Old Music Friday: reviewing all the tunes released 20 years ago today"
.
ShortList
. Retrieved
April 21,
2020
.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
(in German).
O3 Austria Top 40
.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
(in Dutch).
Ultratop 50
. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^
"HR Top 20 Lista"
.
Croatian Radiotelevision
. Archived from
the original
on February 23, 1998
. Retrieved
February 14,
2024
.
- ^
"Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"
(PDF)
.
Music & Media
. Vol. 14, no. 44. November 1, 1997. p. 16.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal: Ain't That Just the Way"
(in Finnish).
Musiikkituottajat
. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
(in French).
Les classement single
.
- ^
a
b
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
(in German).
GfK Entertainment charts
.
- ^
"Top National Sellers"
(PDF)
.
Music & Media
. Vol. 15, no. 9. February 28, 1998. p. 12
. Retrieved
May 4,
2018
.
- ^
"Islenski Listinn Topp 40 (06.03.1997 ? 12.03.1997)"
.
Dagblaðið Visir
(in Icelandic). March 7, 1997. p. 16
. Retrieved
February 5,
2018
.
- ^
"
The Irish Charts ? Search Results ? Ain't That Just the Way"
.
Irish Singles Chart
.
- ^
"
Nederlandse Top 40 ? week 17, 1997
" (in Dutch).
Dutch Top 40
. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
(in Dutch).
Single Top 100
. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
.
Top 40 Singles
.
- ^
"Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100"
.
Official Charts Company
. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
.
Singles Top 100
.
- ^
a
b
"Arslistor > Year End Charts > Swedish Dance Chart 1996"
(PDF)
.
Music & Media
. Vol. 14, no. 11. March 15, 1997. p. 30 (see appendix to the magazine)
. Retrieved
December 8,
2020
.
- ^
"
Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
.
Swiss Singles Chart
.
- ^
"Official Singles Chart Top 100"
.
Official Charts Company
. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^
"Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40"
.
Official Charts Company
. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^
"Billboard Hot 100"
.
Billboard
. February 21, 1998
. Retrieved
August 2,
2023
.
- ^
"Rhythmic Airplay"
.
Billboard
. February 21, 1998
. Retrieved
August 2,
2023
.
- ^
"Arslista Singlar, 1996"
(in Swedish).
Sverigetopplistan
. Retrieved
October 24,
2021
.
- ^
"Jahreshitparade Singles 1997"
(in German)
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
"1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"
(PDF)
.
Music & Media
. Vol. 14, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. 7
. Retrieved
December 19,
2019
.
- ^
"Top 100 Single ? Jahrescharts 1996"
(in German).
GfK Entertainment
. Retrieved
April 17,
2018
.
- ^
"Arslistinn 1997 ? Islenski Listinn ? 100 Vinsælustu Login"
.
Dagblaðið Visir
(in Icelandic). January 2, 1998. p. 25
. Retrieved
February 16,
2020
.
- ^
"Top 100?Jaaroverzicht van 1997"
. Dutch Top 40
. Retrieved
March 5,
2020
.
- ^
"Jaaroverzichten ? Single 1997"
(in Dutch).
MegaCharts
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
"Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1997"
(in German)
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
"Top 100 Singles 1997".
Music Week
. January 17, 1998. p. 27.
- ^
"Najlepsze single na UK Top 40?1997"
(in Polish). Archived from
the original
on June 4, 2015
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
"End of Year Charts 1998"
. Recorded Music NZ
. Retrieved
December 4,
2017
.
- ^
"Najlepsze single na UK Top 40?1998 wg sprzeda?y"
(in Polish). Archived from
the original
on June 4, 2015
. Retrieved
December 21,
2019
.
- ^
"ZPAV :: Bestsellery i wyro?nienia ? AirPlays ? Top ? Archiwum"
.
bestsellery.zpav.pl
(in Polish)
. Retrieved
August 14,
2020
.
- ^
"Austrian single certifications ? Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
(in German).
IFPI
Austria
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
"Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lutricia McNeal;
'
Ain't That Just the Way
'
)"
(in German).
Bundesverband Musikindustrie
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
"Dutch single certifications ? Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
(in Dutch).
Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
Enter
Ain't That Just the Way
in the "Artiest of titel" box.
Select
1998
in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen"
.
- ^
"New Zealand single certifications ? Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
.
Recorded Music NZ
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
"British single certifications ? Lutricia McNeal ? Ain't That Just the Way"
.
British Phonographic Industry
. Retrieved
July 2,
2019
.
- ^
Foster, Keith (November 9, 1996). "Siljemark Finds Its Thrill with BlueHill Records".
Music & Media
. Vol. 13, no. 45. p. 34.
- ^
"New Releases".
Radio & Records
. No. 1223. November 14, 1997. pp. 36, 42.
- ^
"ルトリシア?マクニ?ル"
[Lutricia McNeal].
Sony Music Entertainment Japan
. Archived from
the original
on October 31, 2007
. Retrieved
August 26,
2023
.
- ^
"Samba Sambero"
(in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. 2007
. Retrieved
May 7,
2011
.
- ^
"Som en sang"
(in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. 1977
. Retrieved
May 7,
2011
.
- ^
"Dance with Me"
(in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. 2002
. Retrieved
May 8,
2011
.