R.B. Greaves Performs “Take A Letter Maria,” And It’s Sure To Make You Smile

R.B. Greaves Performs “Take A Letter Maria,” And It’s Sure To Make You Smile | Society Of Rock Videos

YouTube via klassikrocker

The Music Scene, 1969

Despite having song lyrics that aren’t the happiest – I mean, R.B. Greaves is talking about leaving his wife after catching her having an affair with another man – ‘Take A Letter Maria’ is so upbeat and fun, it’s impossible to not catch yourself singing along regardless! Featured on short lived television show The Music Scene, R.B. Greaves’ performance of ‘Take A Letter Maria’ was lighthearted and an incredible show of talent. He’s in an office presumably dictating both the story of his wife’s indiscretions and his letter of separation to his secretary Maria, who R.B. acknowledges has been there faithfully as he worked nights for a little extra money – when suddenly, he flashes the camera a cheeky little grin and asks Maria out to dinner since it “just so happens he’s free tonight”.

Fun Fact: If you noticed shades of a certain soul singer in R.B.’s voice and mannerisms, you’re not wrong; R.B. was the nephew of legendary soul singer Sam Cooke!

What a fantastic performance – it’s clear that talent runs all throughout Sam Cooke’s entire family, with R.B. enjoying a relatively successful career in music until his death in 2012 at the age of 68. While none of his songs ever received the same notoriety as ‘Take A Letter Maria,’ we’d venture so far as to say that being known for such a fantastic song is still pretty cool.

+ Take A Letter Maria lyrics +

Last night as I got home about a half past ten
There was the woman I thought I knew
In the arms of another man
I kept my cool, I ain’t no fool
Let me tell you what happened then
I packed some clothes and I walked out
And I ain’t going back again

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won’t be coming home, gonna start a new life
Take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life

You’ve been many things but most of all a good secretary to me
And it’s times like this I feel you’ve always been close to me
Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life
All work and no play has just cost me a wife

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won’t be coming home, gonna start a new life
Take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life

When a man loves a woman it’s hard to understand
That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man
I never really noticed how sweet you are to me
It just so happens I’m free tonight
Would you like to have dinner with me?

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won’t be coming home, gonna start a new life
Take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life

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