"We both know that it's wrong, but it's much too strong ..."

Happy Birthday to Billy Paul who today turns 75. Thanks to a smoky delivery and phrasing as hypnotic as Kaa the python, the songwriting and production skills of Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and lyricist Cary Grant Gilbert who all together chose a human foible as old as murder for the song's topic, Mr. Paul will probably fo rever be known as the singer behind the song that has lodged into many a brain since December of '72.

Actually, following the fate of most one hit wonder singers, while the song will forever be known in certain wide circles, Billy Paul will probably be forgotten except as the answer to the trivia question "Who sang Me and Mrs. Jones?"

It's interesting that most pop songs about infidelity are from the point of view of the person wronged by it or, when it's from the adulterer's point of view, sung by a woman. Also interesting that this is the song that knocked Helen Reddy's I am Woman off the top of the charts but was, in turn, kicked out of the number one spot by Carly Simon's You're so Vain.

Something to think about over your morning cup of coffee.