With You I'm Born Again
"With You I'm Born Again" is a duet single by American soul musicians Billy Preston and Syreeta, released in 1979 as part of the soundtrack for the basketball-themed film Fast Break. Written by lyricist Carol Connors and composer David Shire, the song features lush orchestration and heartfelt vocals that convey themes of love and renewal, becoming a staple of easy listening radio despite the movie's modest commercial performance.[1] The track marked a significant collaboration between Preston, a keyboard virtuoso known for his work with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and Syreeta Wright, a Motown artist and former wife of Stevie Wonder whose career included acclaimed solo albums. It was issued as a single by Motown Records and initially gained traction in the UK, entering the charts on December 15, 1979, before climbing to number two for two weeks in January 1980.[1][2] In the United States, "With You I'm Born Again" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1979 and peaked at number four in April 1980, marking one of the duo's biggest hits and Syreeta's final major chart success. The song's enduring appeal led to covers by artists such as Kenny Lattimore and Chanté Moore in 2003, as well as Vanessa Williams and George Benson in 2005, highlighting its timeless romantic balladry.[1][3]Background and composition
Origins
"With You I'm Born Again" originated as a key track on the soundtrack for the 1979 basketball-themed motion picture Fast Break, directed by Jack Smight and starring Gabe Kaplan as a New York delicatessen clerk and basketball enthusiast who becomes a college basketball coach.[4] The film, released on March 2, 1979, follows the protagonist's journey to coach an underdog team, incorporating elements of comedy and personal growth amid the sports narrative.[5] Composed specifically for the film's romantic subplot by Carol Connors and David Shire, the song underscores themes of renewal and love that complement the story's interpersonal dynamics.[3] Initial recording sessions for the track took place in 1979, aligning with the production timeline of the movie.[1] The song first appeared on the official Fast Break soundtrack album, released by Motown Records in March 1979, featuring performances by Billy Preston and Syreeta alongside other original compositions.[6] While the soundtrack accompanied the film's theatrical debut, the single version of "With You I'm Born Again" was not commercially pushed until late 1979, contributing to its subsequent popularity surge beyond the movie's initial run.[7]Songwriting
"With You I'm Born Again" was written by lyricist Carol Connors and composer David Shire in 1979.[1] Connors, renowned for co-writing the theme song "Gonna Fly Now" for the 1976 film Rocky, brought her experience in crafting motivational and emotional lyrics to the project.[8] Shire, an Academy Award-winning composer for the song "It Goes Like It Goes" from the 1979 film Norma Rae, contributed his expertise in film scoring, having previously worked on notable soundtracks such as The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.[9][10] The pair collaborated on the song as part of the scoring process for the 1979 film Fast Break, with Shire developing a piano melody for a romantic scene and Connors later adding lyrics to it.[11][12] Connors drew personal inspiration from her romantic relationship with actor Robert Culp, channeling themes of spiritual and emotional rebirth through love into the lyrics.[13][14] This intimate influence imbued the words with a sense of renewal and tenderness. Key lyrical elements include the central phrase "With you I'm born again," which symbolizes transformative love, structured in a soulful, duet-friendly format that alternates verses between male and female perspectives to emphasize mutual rejuvenation.[14][15] Shire's composition adopts a gentle ballad style, featuring prominent piano elements and subtle string arrangements that lend it a warm, intimate quality well-suited to R&B and soul interpretations.[1][11]Recording and release
Artists
Billy Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an acclaimed American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter whose career spanned R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel genres.[16] Raised in Los Angeles after his family moved from Houston, Texas, Preston displayed prodigious talent from childhood, performing on piano and organ in church settings influenced by his mother's devout faith and his grandfather's role as a minister.[17] He gained prominence as a session musician, notably earning the nickname "Fifth Beatle" for his contributions to The Beatles' Let It Be sessions in 1969, where he played keyboards on tracks like "Get Back" and participated in their final rooftop concert.[16] Earlier solo successes included the 1974 hit "Nothing from Nothing," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and showcased his soulful tenor voice rooted in gospel traditions.[18] By 1979, Preston had signed with Motown Records, releasing his debut album for the label, Late at Night, which highlighted his versatile musicianship and vocal energy.[17] Syreeta Wright (August 3, 1946 – July 6, 2004), born Rita Wright in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, emerged as a key figure in Motown's ecosystem during the 1960s and 1970s.[19] She began her career at the label in 1965 as a front-desk receptionist, advancing to secretary for producer Mickey Stevenson and providing backing vocals for artists like The Supremes and The Temptations.[19] Wright's personal and professional ties deepened through her marriage to Stevie Wonder in September 1970, a union that lasted until their divorce in 1972; the couple co-wrote hits such as "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" and collaborated on her early solo work.[20] Her debut album, Syreeta (1972), produced by Wonder, marked her transition to a leading artist, featuring emotive alto vocals that blended soulful intimacy with subtle expressiveness.[21] Like Preston, Wright drew from gospel-infused soul backgrounds, though her style emphasized lyrical vulnerability over instrumental flair. By 1979, she remained an active Motown signee, building on a catalog that included subsequent releases like Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta (1974).[19] The pairing of Preston and Wright for "With You I'm Born Again" represented Motown's strategic match of Preston's dynamic, gospel-driven tenor with Wright's nuanced alto, fostering a harmonious duet that balanced exuberance and tenderness.[17] Both artists were established Motown affiliates in 1979, with the track appearing on Preston's Late at Night album and serving as their sole major joint single, though they later recorded a full duets album in 1981.[19] This collaboration capitalized on their shared soul and gospel influences, creating a timeless romantic ballad that highlighted their vocal chemistry.[20]Production and release
The song was produced by James DiPasquale, with arrangements by David Shire, at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studios in Hollywood during 1979.[22][23] Recording sessions featured live duet vocals between Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright, with Preston contributing keyboards and Wright delivering lead harmonies, supported by string arrangements and subtle percussion to emphasize the ballad's intimate feel.[24] Initially released as a soundtrack single for the film Fast Break on Motown Records (catalog M 1477F) in late 1979, it was reissued on Preston's album Late at Night (Motown, 1979) and later appeared on Wright's album Set My Love in Motion (Tamla, October 21, 1981).[25][24][26] Motown promoted the single through targeted radio airplay, capitalizing on the artists' established soul backgrounds, and the duo performed a music video-style rendition on the BBC's Top of the Pops in December 1979.[27][1]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"With You I'm Born Again" achieved significant commercial success, particularly in North America and Europe, following its release in late 1979. In the United States, the duet debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 98 in the issue dated December 8, 1979, and climbed steadily to a peak position of number 4 on the chart dated April 19, 1980, maintaining presence on the chart for a total of 29 weeks. On the US Adult Contemporary chart, it reached number 2, while on the Hot Soul Singles chart, it peaked at number 86. In the United Kingdom, the single entered the Official Singles Chart on December 15, 1979, and peaked at number 2 for two weeks in January 1980, charting for 11 weeks overall.[28] The song also performed well internationally, entering the top 10 in several markets. Below is a summary of its peak positions across select national charts:| Country | Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Kent Music Report | 21 |
| Canada | RPM Top Singles | 9 |
| Canada | RPM Adult Contemporary | 4 |
| Ireland | Irish Singles Chart | 7 |
| Italy | Musica e Dischi | 14 |
| Netherlands | Dutch Top 40 | 7 |
| Sweden | Sverigetopplistan | 10 |