Ignored            Obscured             Restored

Edwin Starr was a soul shouter that had a couple of minor hits on the Ric-Tic label in the mid-’60s – “Agent Double-O-Soul” and “Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.)”.  When Berry Gordy bought out Ric-Tic and took their talent roster over to his Motown label, Starr scored big with “25 Miles” (#6) and “War” (#1), in 1969 and 1970, respectively.

In between, he released “I’m Still a Struggling Man”.  The SotW strives to bring attention to the lesser-known but deserved releases.

The song is a plea to his woman to be loyal in love to a man who isn’t financially secure and struggling to get by.

You better stop fooling if you want to get along with me
We grew up on the block and we know about poverty
So, tell all your high-falutin’ friends we just can’t compete
It’s only been a little while and I just got on my feet

And I’m still a struggling man
Doing the best that I can
I can only take it, girl, I can only make it, girl
Long as you, you understand that baby

“… Struggling Man” and Starr were both hits in the Northern Soul scene in the UK.  His popularity in the UK led him to move there permanently in 1983 where he stayed until his death from a heart attack at age 61, in 2003.

Enjoy… until next week.