Put It In A Magazine

The Unsung Groove of "Put It In A Magazine": Sonny Charles' 1983 Gem

Ah, "Put It In A Magazine" – if you're a fan of those silky '80s R&B tracks that sneak up on you and refuse to let go, this one's a hidden treasure. Released in 1983 by Sonny Charles, it's the kind of song that captures the era's blend of soulful yearning and funky optimism. Sonny, born Charles Snell in 1940, wasn't exactly a stranger to the music scene. He'd fronted the Checkmates, Ltd., scoring a hit with "Black Pearl" in 1969 alongside Harry Nilsson's haunting production. But by the early '80s, after years of touring and label woes, he was itching to reclaim his spotlight as a solo act. This track, from his album Take This Pleasure, became his defining moment – a one-hit wonder that still whispers of lost love and quiet desperation.

The Spark Behind the Song

The creation of "Put It In A Magazine" stemmed from Sonny's personal crossroads. Fresh off a divorce and navigating the cutthroat music industry, he poured his heartache into lyrics that imagine a lover's story splashed across glossy pages – a metaphor for fame, exposure, and the ache of being left behind. Co-written with producer Michael Stokes, who was riding high from work with acts like the Brothers Johnson, the song emerged during late-night sessions in Los Angeles. Sonny has shared in interviews how the idea hit him while flipping through magazines in a doctor's waiting room – that mundane moment twisted into a plea: "If you're gonna leave me, at least make it legendary."

It's got that raw, confessional edge, you know? Sonny's voice, smooth as velvet but edged with grit from his gospel roots, turns vulnerability into something almost celebratory. And here's a fun anecdote: during brainstorming, Sonny improvised the chorus while messing around on a piano in Stokes' home studio. They laughed about how it sounded like a bad breakup advice column, but it stuck – proving sometimes the best songs come from those off-the-cuff, imperfect vibes.

Recording in the Heat of the '80s Studio Scene

Recording happened at studios in LA, under the watchful eye of Michael Stokes, who handled production and brought in top session players for that authentic funk-soul polish. Picture this: analog tapes rolling, bass lines thumping like a heartbeat, and Sonny laying down vocals in one take after warming up with some Checkmates-era runs. The circumstances were tight – budget constraints meant no lavish overdubs, just pure energy. Stokes added those shimmering synths and a punchy horn section to nod to the era's electro-funk wave, influenced by Prince and early Michael Jackson grooves.

Sonny later recounted how the heatwave that summer made the sessions sweaty and intense, mirroring the song's passionate core. One quirky story? A power outage mid-mix forced them to finish by candlelight, literally – turning potential disaster into a bonded, all-nighters-till-dawn triumph. That grit shines through in the track's infectious rhythm, making it feel alive, urgent.

Release, Rise, and Lasting Echoes

Released via Edge Records in 1983, "Put It In A Magazine" didn't explode overnight, but it climbed to No. 54 on the Billboard R&B chart, a modest hit that resonated in urban radio and dance floors. Promotion was grassroots – Sonny hitting clubs, sharing stories of his journey from the '60s soul scene to this solo shot. It was his lone chart success, cementing one-hit wonder status, yet it endures in compilations and vinyl hunts.

Culturally, it bridged old-school soul with '80s pop sheen, influencing acts like Terence Trent D'Arby who echoed its emotional funk. For baby boomers and Gen Xers, it's a nostalgic nod to resilient Black artists navigating industry shifts. Musically, its clever wordplay and groove inspired later R&B storytellers, proving even quiet hits leave ripples. Sonny's career waned post-release, but he kept performing, often dedicating the song to fans who'd "put their own stories in the magazine of life." It's a reminder that sometimes, the most captivating tunes are the ones that almost got away.