Break It to Me Gently (Aretha Franklin song)

"Break It to Me Gently" is a song written by Carole Bayer Sager and Marvin Hamlisch which was an R&B hit for Aretha Franklin in 1977.  Released from the Sweet Passion album, it reached Number 1 on the Hot Soul Singles chart in June 1977.  The song's success was only faintly reflected on the Billboard Hot 100 with a Number 85 peak, before dropping out of the Hot 100 after two weeks. "Break It to Me Gently" would be Franklin's final Atlantic single to appear on the Hot 100 - from which she would be absent until 1980.

Personnel

Performers
 Aretha Franklin – vocals
 Joe Clayton – congas
 Harold Mason – drums
 David Paich – keyboards
 Ray Parker Jr. – guitar
 Chuck Rainey – bass guitar
 Lee Ritenour – guitar
 Sylvester Rivers – keyboards

Production
 Producers – Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer-Sager.
 Co-Producers – David Paich and Marty Paich.
 Engineers – Frank Kemjar.
 Mixed at Studio 55 (Los Angeles, CA).

References

Category:1977 singles
Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles
Category:Aretha Franklin songs
Category:Songs written by Carole Bayer Sager
Category:Songs written by Marvin Hamlisch
Category:1977 songs