Willie Clayton, The Legendary Singer Talks About Honoring Music Icons, Making Their Classics His Own, and Keeping Great Music Alive for a New Generation
Few artists understand the lasting power of a great song quite like legendary singer and songwriter Willie Clayton.
With a career spanning more than four decades and over 25 celebrated albums, Clayton has established himself as one of the most respected voices in R&B, blues, and soul.
Now, he is revisiting some of the greatest recordings in music history, bringing his unmistakable voice, distinctive style, and signature flavor to songs originally made famous by legendary artists.
His latest single, a remake of "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right," originally recorded by Luther Ingram, along with its accompanying music video, is set to drop November 20.
Click here to watch "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't want to Be Right,)" video teaser.
The single offers a preview of his forthcoming collection featuring remakes of classics associated with B.B. King, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Tyrone Davis, Latimore, Johnnie Taylor, ZZ Hill, Joe Simon, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, and Teddy Pendergrass.
With each interpretation, Clayton brings his own musical personality to these beloved recordings, honoring the original artists while making the songs his own.
And as listeners hear his latest interpretations, the response captures the sentiment perfectly: Willie Nails It! Beyond the music, Clayton hopes to preserve this rich musical heritage and introduce these timeless songs to a younger generation.
Q: People are saying, "Willie Nails It!" when they hear your interpretations of these legendary songs. What does that response mean to you?
Willie Clayton: It means a lot because I'm putting my heart into these songs. These are records that I have listened to and admired over the years. I have tremendous respect for the original artists, and I want to honor what they created while bringing my own flavor to each recording. I'm not trying to duplicate anybody. I'm Willie Clayton, and I want people to hear my interpretation and enjoy what I bring to these classics.
Q: You're revisiting an extraordinary lineup of musical legends, including B.B. King, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Tyrone Davis, Latimore, Johnnie Taylor, ZZ Hill, Joe Simon, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, and Teddy Pendergrass. Why was it important to include these particular artists?
Willie Clayton: These are artists who made a tremendous impact on music. They each had something special about them, whether it was their voice, their delivery, their songwriting, or the way they connected with an audience. I have always admired their contributions. They helped create the foundation of the music that so many of us love today. I wanted to celebrate that legacy and bring some of those wonderful songs back to the forefront.
Q: Your latest single is a remake of "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right," originally made famous by Luther Ingram. What drew you to this particular song?
Willie Clayton: That's one of those songs that has a story and an emotion that people can relate to. Luther Ingram did an incredible job with that record. It's a classic, and I have tremendous respect for him and the way he delivered it. When I decided to record it, I wanted to approach it with respect but also give it my own interpretation. Every artist brings something different to a song, and I wanted people to hear my version and feel what I was putting into it.
Q: The single and its accompanying music video are scheduled to drop November 20. What can listeners look forward to?
Willie Clayton: I'm excited about people hearing the record and seeing the video. The music is something I'm proud of, and I think people who appreciate good R&B and soul music will enjoy it. It's a song many people already know and love, but they're going to hear it through my musical perspective. I hope they enjoy what we've put together.
Q: When you approach a song that people already know and love, how do you make it your own without losing what made the original so special?
Willie Clayton: I think you have to respect the song first. You can't go into it trying to take away what made people fall in love with it. At the same time, I'm Willie Clayton, and I'm going to bring Willie Clayton to it. My voice, my phrasing, my feeling, and my musical personality are going to come through. I'm not trying to duplicate anybody. I'm adding my flavor while keeping the heart of the song intact.
Q: How important is it for you to introduce these timeless songs to younger generations who may not be familiar with the original recordings?
Willie Clayton: It's very important. Music is part of our history, and I think every generation should have an opportunity to experience the music that came before them. Younger people may hear one of these songs and discover an artist they never knew about. They may go back and listen to the original recording and learn more about the person who made it famous. That's how music continues to live. We have to pass it along. If we don't share it, the younger generation may never know how special some of these songs and artists really are.
Q: You've been recording music since the 1980s and have released more than 25 celebrated albums. How has your approach to making music evolved over the years?
Willie Clayton: Over the years, you learn a lot about yourself, your voice, and what you want to communicate through music. Experience gives you a different perspective. You understand the importance of the lyrics, the melody, and the emotion behind a song. I've always wanted to make music that people can connect with. As you grow as an artist, you bring more of your life and experiences into what you record. That's something you can't rush. It comes with time.
Q: You've built a reputation for connecting with audiences through R&B, blues, and soul. What do you believe makes a song timeless?
Willie Clayton: A timeless song makes you feel something no matter when you hear it. It could be about love, heartbreak, relationships, or life. Those are things people experience in every generation. When a song has a great melody, meaningful lyrics, and emotion behind it, people can relate to it years later. That's what makes certain records special. They never really go away.
Q: What do you hope listeners take away from this collection of remakes?
Willie Clayton: I hope people enjoy the music and appreciate the artists and songwriters who gave us these wonderful songs. I want longtime music lovers to enjoy hearing these classics again, and I want younger listeners to discover something new. Most importantly, I want people to hear the love and respect I have for this music. I'm bringing my own flavor to every song, but the foundation is honoring the music and the people who made it special.
Q: After such a long and celebrated career, what continues to motivate you to record and share your music?
Willie Clayton: I love music. It's what I've done for many years, and I still enjoy being in the studio, creating, recording, and connecting with people through songs. As long as I have something to give musically, I want to share it. I don't take that opportunity for granted. Music has given me so much, and I want to continue giving something back through my recordings and performances.
Follow Willie Clayton:
Instagram: @iamwillieclayton
Website: willieclayton.net