Sam Dees facts for kids

Sam Dees, born on December 17, 1945, is an American soul singer, songwriter, and music producer. He released many albums in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. As a songwriter, he has created hundreds of songs for various musicians.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Sam Dees was born in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. He grew up in a big family and quickly showed off his amazing singing voice. When he was just nine years old, he had already won many singing contests. He even started his own singing group called the Bossanovians.

Starting His Career

As a teenager, Sam Dees traveled to perform his music. In 1968, he recorded his very first song in Nashville, Tennessee. He then released a few more songs with Lolo Records. A producer from Chess Records, Lenny Sachs, gave him a chance to produce two songs himself. Sam recorded these songs in an old church in Birmingham.

After that, he started recording for Atlantic. This led to his famous album, The Show Must Go On, which came out in 1975.

Sam Dees as a Songwriter

Even though Sam Dees had a successful singing career, he became very well known for writing songs for other artists. He wrote many hit songs that became popular with different singers.

Famous Songs He Wrote

Sam Dees wrote "Am I Dreaming" for the group Atlantic Starr. He also wrote "One in a Million You" for Larry Graham. Another one of his songs, "Save the Overtime (For Me)", was a hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips. He also wrote "Love All the Hurt Away" for George Benson and Aretha Franklin. Later, he wrote "Lover for Life" for Whitney Houston.

He also wrote a song called "Just the Lonely Talking Again". The American R&B group The Manhattans first recorded this song in 1983. Later, Whitney Houston recorded her own version in 1987 for her second album.

Later Recordings and Work

In 1989, Sam Dees released a solo song called "After All". He also released an album called Secret Admirer, but it was not very successful.

Sam Dees continues to write and produce music today. He has released recordings on his own music label, Pen Pad. He also recorded for Ardent Records in England. Another English music company, Kent Records, has released some of his earlier songs. There are also plans for Selecta Records to release more of his unreleased songs from the early 1970s.

One of his songs, "Lonely for You Baby", was used in the British surf movie Blue Juice in 1995.

Sam Dees' Albums

Sam Dees has released several studio albums throughout his career.

Studio Albums List

• The Show Must Go On (1975) - This album was re-released in 2012.
• Secret Admirer (1989)
• The Homecomings (EP) (1991)
• Cry to Me: Deep and Mellow Soul of Sam Dees (1994)
• Second to None (1995)
• Gospel Tribute (1997)
• Sam Dees (1997)
• Lovers Do (Pen Pad, 1998)
• The Heritage of a Black Man (1998)

Songs Written by Sam Dees

Here are some of the many songs Sam Dees has written for other artists:

• "One in a Million You" (for Larry Graham)
• "So Can I" (for Loleatta Holloway)
• "Am I Dreaming" (for Atlantic Starr)
• "Send for Me" (for Atlantic Starr)
• "All in the Name of Love" (for Atlantic Starr)
• "Save the Overtime (For Me)" (for Gladys Knight)
• "Love All the Hurt Away" (for Aretha Franklin)
• "Just the Lonely Talking Again" (for The Manhattans in 1983, and later Whitney Houston in 1987)
• "Lover for Life" (for Whitney Houston)
• "After the Love Has Lost Its Shine" (for Regina Belle)
• "Mess on Your Hands" (for Millie Jackson)
• "Let Me Heal the Bruises" (for Tavares)
• "Games, Games" (for Tavares)
• "My Love Calls" (for Tavares)
• "Where Did We Go Wrong" (for L.T.D.)