“On and On” (1974) – Gladys Knight and the Pips * Written and produced by Curtis Mayfield * 45: “On and On” / “The Makings of You” * LP: Claudine * Label: Buddah
Although the ads billed director John Berry’s Claudine as “a heart and soul comedy,” the film’s sobering depictions of inner city reality overshadow any laughs. Harlem visuals give it added punch, as does the music, written by Curtis Mayfield and performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips. The hit single “On and On” (Billboard #5) explodes in the opening credits as the big screen urban scenes unfold. Here’s a rare situation, though, where a film made a song seem better than it actually was. (It’s usually the other way around.) No one who experiences “On and On” away from the film would rank it with Knight’s or Mayfield’s best work.