Peak
3
Weeks
21
Score
3,435
Chart Year
1973
Scores & Rankings
Chart Performance
Peak Position3
Peak DateJun 9, 1973
Weeks at Peak2
Weeks Charted21
Weeks in Top 4013
Weeks in Top 107
Weeks at #20
Weeks at #10
Scoring
Summary Calc1,508
Weekly Calc1,927
Total Score3,435
Rankings
Year Ranking#25
Decade Ranking#296
Billboard Year#25
Top 5000#2,891
Details
Music Video
Notes
"Pillow Talk" is a 1973 song by American singer and songwriter Sylvia, written by Sylvia along with Michael Burton. According to Billboard, the song is about sex. Sylvia had originally hoped the song would be recorded by Al Green, who turned it down as he thought it was too risqué and against his religious beliefs. Thereafter, Sylvia decided to return as a musical artist and record "Pillow Talk" herself, finally releasing the song in 1973. "Pillow Talk" is an early example of prototypical disco music. The vocals are replete with moaning and heavy breathing, predating Donna Summer's orgasmic moans on 1975's "Love to Love You Baby". At the coda section, Sylvia growls out the phrase: "Aw, Would Ya". Several AM radio stations shortened the song, due to its sexual content, omitting the coda portions where Sylvia intones in a whisper "Oh, My God", and repeatedly, "Nice steady!".
Ay Ay Ay-yi-yi Hey, baby, let me stay I don't care what your friends are 'bout to say Ah-ah-ah What your friends all say is fine But it can't compete with this pillow talk of mine Ooh, you can't find love on a one-way street It takes two to tango Takes two to even compete Oh, yeah So boy, just put that stop sign down And let's get together before the day runs us down I'm pleading to you now Hey, baby, let me try To be the one who's gonna light your fire Ha-ha-ah What your friends all say is fine But it can't compete with this pillow talk of mine Ooh, I don't wanna see you be no fool What I'm teachin' you tonight, boy, you'll never learn it in school Oh, no So friends who tell me wrong from right I'll ask to borrow their man some cold and lonely night Ooh Hey, baby, let me be the one who turns you on from A to Z Ha-ha-ah What your friends all say is fine But it can't compete with this pillow talk of mine Ooh, baby Ooh, baby La-la-la, la-la-la-la Ah, would you, baby? Would you, baby? La-la-la, la-la-la-la Ay Ay Ay Ay Ay-ay-ay-ay Uno momento poquito Uno momento poquito Ay-ay-ay-ay Nice, daddy Nice, daddy Nice, daddy Ay-ay-ay-ay Oh, my God
Chart History (21 weeks)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 24, 1973 | 98 | 28 |
| 2 | Mar 31, 1973 | 92 | 34 |
| 3 | Apr 7, 1973 | 79 | 47 |
| 4 | Apr 14, 1973 | 54 | 72 |
| 5 | Apr 21, 1973 | 30 | 96 |
| 6 | Apr 28, 1973 | 26 | 100 |
| 7 | May 5, 1973 | 20 | 106 |
| 8 | May 12, 1973 | 14 | 112 |
| 9 | May 19, 1973 | 9 | 117 |
| 10 | May 26, 1973 | 6 | 120 |
| 11 | Jun 2, 1973 | 4 | 122 |
| 12 | Jun 9, 1973 | 3 | 123 |
| 13 | Jun 16, 1973 | 3 | 123 |
| 14 | Jun 23, 1973 | 6 | 120 |
| 15 | Jun 30, 1973 | 6 | 120 |
| 16 | Jul 7, 1973 | 16 | 110 |
| 17 | Jul 14, 1973 | 18 | 108 |
| 18 | Jul 21, 1973 | 43 | 83 |
| 19 | Jul 28, 1973 | 55 | 71 |
| 20 | Aug 4, 1973 | 64 | 62 |
Weeks 1–20 of 21
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