| Band of Gold | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Freda Payne |
| Cover: | Band of Gold (album) cover.jpeg |
| Released: | August 1970[1] |
| Studio: | HDH Sound Studios, Detroit, Michigan |
| Genre: | R&B |
| Label: | Invictus |
| Producer: | William Weatherspoon |
| Prev Title: | How Do You Say I Don't Love You Anymore |
| Prev Year: | 1966 |
| Next Title: | Contact |
| Next Year: | 1971 |
Band of Gold is the third studio album by Freda Payne.[2] Her first for Invictus Records, it was released in 1970. The title track became an instant smash on the Pop charts in the US and the UK. Other hits included "Unhooked Generation" (released before "Band of Gold") and "Deeper and Deeper". The tenth track was written by Payne's younger sister, Scherrie Payne. Cover versions include Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's hit "This Girl Is a Woman Now" and Andy Williams' hit "Happy Heart".
The album peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard 200.[3] "Band of Gold" reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.[4] It, and "Deeper and Deeper", have sold more than a million copies worldwide.[5]
AllMusic called the album "a masterpiece of epic proportions," writing that "the overall sonic tone of Band of Gold reflects [Payne's] producers' Motown history."
| Chart (1970) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[6] | 60 | |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[7] | 17 |
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | "Unhooked Generation" | Black Singles | 43 |
| 1970 | "Band of Gold" | Pop Singles | 3 |
| 1970 | "Band of Gold" | Black Singles | 20 |
| 1970 | "Band of Gold" | UK Singles Chart | 1 |
| 1970 | "Deeper and Deeper" | Pop Singles | 24 |
| 1970 | "Deeper and Deeper" | Black Singles | 9 |
| 1970 | "Deeper and Deeper" | UK Singles Chart | 33 |