If you close your eyes and think about the late 80s R&B scene, a few specific sounds probably drift into your head. You’ve got the heavy synth-bass of New Jack Swing, the polished pop-soul of Whitney Houston, and then you have that unmistakable, breezy, sophisticated guitar-led groove that could only come from South Africa’s own Jonathan Butler. Take Good Care of Me Jonathan Butler isn't just a nostalgic throwback; it is a masterclass in how to blend technical jazz proficiency with a pop sensibility that feels surprisingly raw and intimate.
Released in 1987 as part of his self-titled double album, "Take Good Care of Me" became a staple for anyone who lived through the quiet storm era of radio. It’s a song about vulnerability. Honestly, it’s kinda rare to hear a male vocalist from that era sound so genuinely pleading without it feeling like a performance. Butler wasn’t just a singer; he was a virtuoso who had spent his youth navigating the horrors of Apartheid-era South Africa, and you can hear that weight—and the relief of finding love—in every note.
The Sound of 1987: Breaking Down the Track
Most people remember the hook, but the production on this track is what kept it on the charts. It was produced by Barry J. Eastmond, a man whose name is basically synonymous with the sophisticated "urban adult contemporary" sound of the late 80s. Eastmond worked with everyone from Freddie Jackson to Billy Ocean, but with Butler, he had a different weapon: that nylon-string guitar.
The song kicks off with a shimmering synth pad and a drum machine pattern that is quintessential 1987. But then, the guitar slides in. It’s clean. It’s melodic. It’s effortless. Unlike many of his contemporaries who relied heavily on over-the-top vocal gymnastics, Butler keeps it restrained. He lets the melody breathe.
Why the guitar matters
Jonathan Butler was often compared to George Benson, and for good reason. He has that "sing-along-with-the-solo" style that bridges the gap between instrumental jazz and pop. On "Take Good Care of Me," the guitar isn't just an accompaniment; it’s a second voice. It’s a conversation.
If you listen closely to the bridge, the way the chords shift into a slightly more melancholic territory before resolving back into the chorus is pure songwriting gold. It’s a trick used by jazz musicians to create tension and release, but here, it’s packaged in a four-minute pop song.
The Lyrics: A Different Kind of Love Song
In the 80s, a lot of R&B was about "the chase" or heartbreak. "Take Good Care of Me" is different. It’s a song about the maintenance of a relationship. It’s a request.
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"I’m giving my heart to you, so take good care of me."
It sounds simple, right? But in the context of Butler’s life, it’s profound. Butler was a child star in South Africa, the first black artist to be played on white radio stations there. He lived through immense social upheaval. When he moved to the UK and later the US, his music became his sanctuary. When he sings about needing someone to look after his heart, it feels like he’s talking about more than just a romantic partner—it feels like a plea for peace.
The Success of the 1987 Self-Titled Album
The album this song came from was a massive swing for Jive Records. Making a double album for a relatively new artist in the international market was risky. But it worked. The album Jonathan Butler earned him Grammy nominations for Best R&B Instrumental Performance ("Going Home") and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Lies").
"Take Good Care of Me" helped solidify that crossover appeal. It wasn't just for jazz fans. It wasn't just for R&B fans. It was for everyone.
- Chart Performance: The single performed exceptionally well on the Billboard R&B charts and the Adult Contemporary charts.
- The B-Side: Often overlooked, the B-sides on these singles showed off Butler’s more aggressive jazz-fusion roots.
- Global Reach: While it was a hit in the States, the song was massive in Europe and back home in South Africa, where Butler remained a symbol of hope.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jonathan Butler
There’s this misconception that Butler is just "smooth jazz." That’s a bit of a disservice. Smooth jazz often gets a reputation for being "elevator music"—background noise that doesn't demand your attention. But if you sit down and actually try to play what Jonathan Butler is playing on "Take Good Care of Me," you’ll realize very quickly how complex it is.
His thumb technique is incredible. His phrasing is steeped in the gospel traditions of his Cape Town upbringing. To call it "smooth jazz" is to ignore the grit and the technical precision behind it.
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Also, people forget how much of a multi-instrumentalist he is. While he’s famous for the guitar, his vocal arrangements are incredibly dense. On this track, the backing vocals (often layered by Butler himself) create a lush, choral effect that gives the song its "warm" feeling.
Why We Are Still Talking About This Song in 2026
Music moves fast. We’ve gone through grunge, hip-hop’s golden age, the EDM explosion, and the rise of "vibes" over melodies. Yet, "Take Good Care of Me" still pops up on playlists. Why?
It’s the authenticity.
Modern R&B has actually circled back to this sound. Artists like Lucky Daye or Leon Bridges are leaning into that organic, "real instrument" feel. They are looking for that warmth that digital production often misses. Butler had it in spades.
There’s also the "nostalgia factor," but it’s deeper than just remembering the 80s. It’s a song that fits perfectly into the "self-care" culture of today. The idea of asking someone to be gentle with you, to protect your emotional well-being—that’s a very 2026 sentiment. Jonathan Butler was just decades ahead of the curve.
The Live Experience
If you ever have the chance to see Butler perform this live, do it. He’s known for extending the song, turning the simple pop melody into a ten-minute improvisational journey. He often talks to the audience about his journey from the streets of Athlone in Cape Town to the world stage. It adds a layer of meaning to the lyrics that you just don't get from the radio edit.
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Acknowledging the Limitations
Is the song perfect? Well, depends on who you ask. If you hate 80s production—the gated reverb on the drums, the specific "thinness" of certain synthesizers—you might find it dated. Some critics at the time felt Butler was playing it too safe, trying too hard to fit into the American R&B mold instead of leaning harder into his South African roots (something he would do more overtly later in his career with albums like Heal Our Land).
But even with those "dated" elements, the core of the song—the melody and the guitar work—is timeless. It’s a snapshot of a master musician finding his footing in the global pop landscape.
Technical Nuance: The Butler Chord Progressions
For the musicians reading this, Butler’s use of major 7th and minor 9th chords in "Take Good Care of Me" is what gives it that "dreamy" quality. He avoids the standard I-IV-V progressions of basic pop. Instead, he uses "slash chords" (like a G major triad over an A bass note) to create a sense of forward motion. It’s sophisticated stuff disguised as a simple love song.
Actionable Ways to Appreciate the Music
If you want to dive deeper into this specific era of music or if you’ve just rediscovered this track, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Listen to the 12-inch Extended Version: If you can find it on vinyl or a high-res streaming service, the extended mix allows the instrumental sections to breathe much more than the radio edit.
- Compare with George Benson’s "Give Me The Night": Listen to these two back-to-back. You’ll hear the lineage of the jazz-pop crossover and how Butler took that torch and ran with it into the late 80s.
- Explore the 1987 Self-Titled Album in Full: Don't just stop at the hits. Tracks like "Sarah Sarah" and his instrumentals show the full breadth of what he was doing at the time.
- Watch Live Footage from the late 80s: Look for his performances on late-night talk shows from that era. His energy and the way he interacts with his guitar are infectious.
- Check Out His Later Gospel Work: If you like the soulfulness of "Take Good Care of Me," his later transition into gospel-jazz (like the album Falling in Love with Jesus) offers a similar emotional resonance but with even more personal depth.
Jonathan Butler remains one of the most underrated figures in the crossover era. He brought a sense of global perspective to American R&B long before "world music" was a popular buzzword. "Take Good Care of Me" is the perfect entry point into his world—a world where the guitar tells as much of the story as the lyrics do.