"How 'Bout Us" is the most successful single released byR&B music groupChampaign. Composed by bandkeyboardist Dana Walden and originally released on the band's debut albumHow 'Bout Us, the title track peaked at number 12 on theBillboard Hot 100. A romantic ballad, the song was released onValentine's Day, 1981.[1]
The song was originally released in 1975 by an earlier incarnation of the group, then called the Water Brothers Band.[2] It was released as the B-side of their single, "Have You Ever Been Lonely?" on Sky Records NR6668. The band at the time of recording was made up of Dana Walden on keyboards & vocals, Howard "Leon" Reeder on vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, Keith Harden on vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, Scott Karlstrom on bass, and Bobby Carlin on drums.[3][4]
It was re-recorded by Champaign, and it was Champaign's version that became a hit single. "How 'Bout Us" peaked at number 4 on the soul chart and was one of three releases to make the Top 10 on the soul chart.[5] It was on theHot 100 chart for 23 weeks, peaking at number 12 on June 6, 1981, and also reached the top of theAdult Contemporary chart for two weeks.[6]Jet magazine listed the song in its "Soul Brothers Top 20 Singles" list for May and June 1981.[7]
Champaign's membership included former Water Brothers members, Walden, Reeder and Day.[3][4]
Casey Kasem played a portion of the Champaign version on his American Top 40 show. He then played the entire version of the Water Brothers release. This was broadcast on June 6, 1981.[8]
The song has been covered as a duet betweenblue-eyed soul singerGrayson Hugh andR&B singerBetty Wright; their version, from the soundtrack of the 1989 filmTrue Love, peaked at number 30 onBillboard's R&B chart, crossing over to number 67 on the pop singles chart and number 15 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
