Maybe you’re sitting in a cramped record shop, or you're just deep-diving into a soul playlist on Spotify, and it hits you. That specific, tight-as-a-drum groove. You know it’s the Average White Band (AWB) because nobody else from Scotland—or anywhere else in 1974, honestly—sounded quite that "Dundee-meets-Detroit." While the world was busy losing its mind over "Pick Up the Pieces," a specific set of crate-diggers and soul purists were falling in house-fire levels of love of my own Average White Band deep cuts. Specifically, the track "Love of My Own."
It isn't just a song. It’s a masterclass in mid-tempo funk syncopation.
The track appeared on their seminal 1974 self-titled "White Album." This was the record that changed everything for Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart, and the boys. Before this, they were just a bunch of incredibly talented Scottish musicians trying to find their footing in London. They had the chops, but they needed the "it" factor. They found it in New York with producer Arif Mardin. Mardin, who had worked with everyone from Aretha Franklin to the Bee Gees, saw something in their obsession with James Brown and The Meters. He didn't want them to sound like a cover band. He wanted them to sound like the future.
Why "Love of My Own" Still Hits Different
You’ve got to listen to the space in the track. That’s the secret.
Most amateur funk bands try to fill every single millisecond with a slap bass hit or a horn flare. AWB did the opposite. On "Love of My Own," the drums—the legendary Robbie McIntosh before his tragic passing—are remarkably restrained. It’s a steady, driving pulse that allows the dual-vocal attack of Gorrie and Stuart to really breathe. When people talk about the love of my own Average White Band obsession, they’re usually talking about that specific vocal blend. Gorrie’s gritty, soulful register paired with Stuart’s soaring falsetto created a texture that felt like silk rubbed against sandpaper.
It’s evocative.
The lyrics aren't rocket science, but they don't need to be. It's about self-reliance, loneliness, and the internal rhythm of a person trying to find peace. "I've got a love of my own," they sing, and you believe it. It's an anthem for the introspective listener. It’s the song you play at 2:00 AM when the party is over but you aren't ready to sleep yet.
The Arif Mardin Magic Touch
We can't talk about this era without mentioning Mardin's influence at Atlantic Records. He basically took these Scottish guys and polished them until they shone like a chrome bumper on a '64 Cadillac. He understood that funk wasn't just about aggression; it was about precision.
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He helped them layer the horns—the "Dundee Horns" as they were known—in a way that felt punchy rather than overwhelming. In "Love of My Own," the brass doesn't scream at you. It accents the groove. It’s like punctuation in a well-written sentence. Without those accents, the song would just be a loop. With them, it becomes a journey.
Some critics at the time were skeptical. They called it "imitation soul." But they were wrong. It wasn't an imitation; it was a conversation. AWB were students of the genre who became masters. They weren't trying to be black; they were trying to be funky. And funk, as George Clinton famously implied, is a ceiling fan in the mind. It’s universal.
The Tragedy That Shook the Groove
It is impossible to discuss the love of my own Average White Band era without acknowledging the dark cloud that moved over the band just as they hit #1. In September 1974, shortly after the "White Album" was released, drummer Robbie McIntosh died of a heroin overdose at a party in Los Angeles. He was the heartbeat.
The band was devastated. Alan Gorrie only survived that same night because Cher—yes, that Cher—kept him awake and walking until medical help arrived.
Steve Ferrone eventually stepped in on drums, and he was brilliant. He brought a different, perhaps even "slicker" energy that would carry them through the late 70s. But for many purists, the McIntosh era—the era of "Love of My Own"—is the "true" AWB. There was a rawness there. A sense of discovery. You can hear it in the recording. They were hungry.
Sampling and the Second Life of AWB
If you’re a hip-hop fan, you’ve heard this band a thousand times even if you’ve never owned one of their records. The Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Nas, and Tribe Called Quest have all dipped into the AWB well. Why? Because the drums are clean.
"Love of My Own" has that inherent "loopability." Producers in the 90s loved these tracks because the separation between the instruments was so clear. You could grab a snare hit or a guitar scratch without too much "bleed" from the other instruments.
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This is how a 1974 soul track from Scotland ends up being the backbone of a Brooklyn hip-hop anthem in 1994. The love of my own Average White Band catalog is basically a library for the foundations of modern beat-making. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
What People Get Wrong About "Blue-Eyed Soul"
The term "blue-eyed soul" often feels a bit reductive, doesn't it? It suggests that the music is a novelty because of the race of the performers. But listen to the bridge in "Love of My Own." Listen to the way the bassline interacts with the hi-hat. That isn't a novelty. That’s high-level musicianship that transcends demographics.
The band didn't see themselves as a white version of anything. They saw themselves as part of the Atlantic Records lineage. They wanted to be on the same shelf as Donny Hathaway and Ray Charles. And, frankly, they earned that spot. "Love of My Own" is a sophisticated piece of songwriting. It uses jazz-adjacent chords that most pop-funk bands wouldn't touch. It’s "grown-folks music."
The Gear and the Sound
For the musicians reading this, the AWB sound was largely built on Fender Jazz basses and Telecasters. Hamish Stuart’s rhythm guitar work is some of the most influential in the business. He plays "inside" the beat. He’s not playing lead; he’s playing percussion on strings.
If you want to capture that love of my own Average White Band vibe in your own playing, you have to turn the gain down. It’s all about the "chack." It’s clean, it’s crisp, and it’s remarkably difficult to replicate. Most people play too much. AWB played just enough.
The "White Album" Legacy
While "Pick Up the Pieces" was the monster hit, the album as a whole is remarkably consistent. "Person to Person," "Got the Love," and "You Got It" are all massive. But "Love of My Own" stays with you. It’s the emotional core.
It’s interesting to note that the band almost didn't make it to that recording session. Their first album, Show Your Hand, didn't do much commercially. They were nearly broke. They moved to New York on a wing and a prayer. If Arif Mardin hadn't stepped in, we might be talking about AWB as a footnote in UK pub rock history rather than international superstars.
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How to Truly Appreciate the Track Today
Don’t listen to this on your phone speakers. Please.
To feel the love of my own Average White Band experience, you need something with a decent low-end. The way the bass guitar sits in the mix is a work of art. It’s mixed "forward" in the way that 70s soul often was, allowing you to hear the individual finger plucks.
Compare it to modern productions. Today, everything is compressed into a wall of sound. In 1974, there was air. There was room for the music to move. "Love of My Own" benefits from that breathing room.
Actionable Insights for the Soul Seeker
If you're looking to dive deeper into this sound, don't just stop at the greatest hits. The "White Album" is essential, but there’s more to the story.
- Check out the "Cut the Cake" album (1975): This was the follow-up, and it’s where they really lean into the Steve Ferrone groove. It’s funkier, perhaps a bit more "Americanized," but still incredible.
- Listen to Hamish Stuart’s work with Chaka Khan: If you love his vocal style on "Love of My Own," you need to hear his collaborations later in the 70s and 80s. He’s one of the most underrated vocalists in music history.
- Analyze the drum breaks: If you’re a producer, sit down with "Love of My Own" and "School Boy Crush." Notice how the snare isn't just a sound—it’s a character.
- Acknowledge the Scottish Roots: Remember that these guys came from a jazz/R&B scene in places like Dundee and Glasgow. It’s a testament to the fact that soul music is a language, not a location.
The love of my own Average White Band isn't just about nostalgia. It’s about a moment in time where talent, production, and a genuine love for the craft collided to create something timeless. It’s a track that rewards repeat listens. Every time you hear it, you find a new little guitar lick or a subtle vocal harmony you missed before. That’s the mark of a classic.
Go put on a good pair of headphones. Find the 1974 self-titled album. Skip past the hits for a second and go straight to "Love of My Own." Listen to that first bass note. You'll get it. You'll finally get why this band remains the gold standard for anyone who wants to play with heart, soul, and a little bit of that Scottish grit.