Song of the Day 5/16: Shuggie Otis, “Strawberry Letter 23”

Everyone knows the version by the Brothers Johnson, a. No. 5 hit in 1977. Fewer realize that it’s a cover of a tune written by guitar prodigy Shuggie Otis, who included it on his 1971 LP “Freedom Flight.” Otis, the son of R&B and early rock ‘n’ roll bandleader and impresario Johnny Otis, was 17 when he recorded it.

Written during the heyday of psychedelic soul, the trippy lyrics actually have a simple explanation. “The song is about a love letter,” Otis said. “The guy and the girl had written each other 22 love letters. And the 23rd one he writes is a song.” Ah, those crazy hippies.

Quincy Jones showed off his skills with the version he produced for the Brothers Johnson, which boosted the tune’s funk quotient. The record company showed off how their marketers spent their days by releasing the single on red, strawberry-scented vinyl.