What makes Take Time to Know Her by Percy Sledge notable?

The album includes the hit title track, which reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, further solidifying Sledge's status in the music industry. Its critical reception praised Sledge's emotional delivery and helped shape the sound of soul music during a transformative era in American music. Released in 1968, Take Time to Know Her was Percy Sledge's third studio album following the massive success of his debut, When a Man Loves a Woman. By this time, Sledge had established himself as a significant figure in the Southern soul genre, capitalizing on his growing popularity with this collection of poignant ballads and soulful tracks.

Who is Take Time to Know Her for?

Take Time to Know Her works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove, heartfelt emotional delivery and short tracks for quick enjoyment.

How many songs are on Take Time to Know Her?

Take Time to Know Her has 12 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Take Time to Know Her

Percy Sledge · 1968

34 min · 12 tracks · blues

A heartfelt blend of soul and blues that showcases Percy Sledge's rich, emotive vocals over smooth instrumentals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Take Time to Know Her — This title track exemplifies Sledge's signature emotive style, blending vulnerability with heartfelt lyrics about love and patience.
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Baby Help Me — This track features a compelling plea for support in times of distress, showcasing Sledge's ability to convey deep emotion through his powerful vocal performance.
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It's All Wrong but It's Alright — With its complex message of acceptance despite flaws, this song highlights Sledge's skill in navigating themes of love and heartache while maintaining an uplifting sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

Sledge's emotive vocals are supported by rich arrangements, though the album lacks a strong cohesive arc.

What we noticed

The album opens with the title track, which features a slow build-up of instrumentation before Sledge's vocals enter, establishing an emotional tone.
Several tracks incorporate lush string arrangements that complement Sledge's vocal delivery, particularly on 'Baby Help Me' and 'It's All Wrong but It's Alright'.
The final track, 'I Love Everything About You', closes the album with a gentle fade-out, creating a sense of resolution.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove
heartfelt emotional delivery
short tracks for quick enjoyment
intimate moments with soulful melodies

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced energy
seek lengthy immersive albums

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1968, Take Time to Know Her was Percy Sledge's third studio album following the massive success of his debut, When a Man Loves a Woman. By this time, Sledge had established himself as a significant figure in the Southern soul genre, capitalizing on his growing popularity with this collection of poignant ballads and soulful tracks.
Stylistic neighbors: Otis Redding· Wilson Pickett· Sam Cooke