Hummingbird by Alex Vargas, released in 2013, prominently samples the 1972 song Mind Body & Soul by Flick Wilson. The sampled vocals from Mind Body & Soul can be heard throughout Hummingbird, providing a soulful backbone to the indie rock song.
When listening to Hummingbird, the sampled vocals are immediately recognizable as coming from an older song. Alex Vargas made excellent use of the Mind Body & Soul sample, seamlessly integrating Flick Wilson’s vocals into the indie rock production. The sample adds a sense of nostalgia and musicality to Hummingbird.
In this article, we will explore the origins of the Mind Body & Soul sample used in Hummingbird. We will look at who Flick Wilson was, the success of Mind Body & Soul back in the 1970s, and how the song has been discovered and sampled by later generations of musicians like Alex Vargas.
The Origins of Mind Body & Soul by Flick Wilson
Flick Wilson was an American Chicago-based funk and soul musician. He was active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Mind Body & Soul was released as a single in 1972 on the Westbound record label.
The track became one of Wilson’s most well-known and beloved recordings. Mind Body & Soul is an energetic funk song with prominent bass grooves, rhythmic electric piano, trumpet hits, and Wilson’s emotive soulful vocals.
The lyrics of Mind Body & Soul center around a passionate love, with Wilson expressing his desire to know every part of his lover’s mind, body and soul.
I want to know your mind, body and soul
I want to reach way down inside of your soul
I want to know your mind, body and soul
Although Mind Body & Soul did not chart upon its initial release, it became an underground favorite on the funk and R&B scene of the 70s. The song’s rousing energy and Wilson’s captivating performance made it a hidden gem of the era.
The Use of the Sample in Hummingbird
Alex Vargas discovered Mind Body & Soul and immediately heard potential in using it for his own track. He skillfully isolated Flick Wilson’s vocals from the original song and made it a central element of Hummingbird.
The opening vocals of Hummingbird feature Wilson soulfully crooning the “mind, body and soul” lyrics from the chorus of the original song. This immediately establishes the laidback, retro vibe Vargas was going for with his indie rock ballad.
As Hummingbird progresses, Wilson’s vocals weave in and out. Often they are chopped up into shorter segments and repeating, used almost like an instrument complementing Vargas’ singing. The catchy vocal hooks give Hummingbird a pop sensibility.
By incorporating the Mind Body & Soul sample so effectively, Vargas introduces Flick Wilson’s soulful artistry to a whole new generation of listeners.
Why Does the Sample Work So Well?
There are a few key reasons why the Mind Body & Soul sample fits Hummingbird like a glove:
- The soulful, raspy tone of Flick Wilson’s voice blends beautifully with Alex Vargas’ vocals.
- The “mind, body and soul” refrain is short and catchy – ideal for a sample.
- The nostalgic vibe connects emotionally with music fans young and old.
- It “feels” like a sample with the choppy looped segments.
- The old school funk gives a cool edge to the indie rock sound.
Alex Vargas had an ear for how to make the two songs mesh together. By isolating just the right parts of Mind Body & Soul and weaving them around his original song dynamics, he gave Hummingbird a unique sound that paid homage to Flick Wilson’s artistry.
The Success of Hummingbird
Released as the second single from Vargas’ 2013 album Vargas, Hummingbird became a breakthrough hit for the Danish musician.
The song reached #6 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart in the US. It spent over 5 months on that chart and crossed over to the Rock and Hot Rock Songs charts as well.
Internationally, Hummingbird saw strong success for Vargas too:
- #35 in Germany
- #38 in Austria
- #96 in France
- #41 in Switzerland
The music video for the song also resonated with fans, generating over 2 million views on YouTube.
Hummingbird remains one of Alex Vargas’ signature songs and still receives airplay on radio stations worldwide. The catchy Mind Body & Soul sample is key part of what made the song so memorable.
Flick Wilson’s Reaction
For Flick Wilson, who originally released Mind Body & Soul in 1972, it was a surprise decades later to hear his vocals prominently featured in Alex Vargas’ hit song.
In an interview, Wilson revealed that he was never contacted about the sample being used. But he appreciated how it brought his work to a younger crowd:
“No one told me that he was going to use my record. But kids started telling me about it. I listened to it and I liked it.”
Wilson praised how Vargas “put a new twist on it” and sang along when Hummingbird was played during the interview.
For artists like Wilson who released more obscure songs back in the day, an unexpected song sample can introduce their work to whole new generations of appreciative listeners many years later.
Other Popular Uses of the Mind Body & Soul Sample
Besides Alex Vargas’ Hummingbird, there have been a few other notable uses of the Mind Body & Soul sample in recent decades:
Neyo – “Mad”
R&B singer Neyo’s 2008 track “Mad” makes use of the “mind, body and soul” sample. It appears in the chorus of the smooth hip hop flavored tune.
Nas – “You’re Da Man”
This cut off rap legend Nas’ 2001 album Stillmatic loops just the “mind body and” portion of the sample as part of the beat.
Tanya Morgan – “So Damn Down”
Hip hop group Tanya Morgan utilized the “mind body and soul” vocal refrain on their 2010 song “So Damn Down.” It pops up between verses sung by the group members.
These songs demonstrate how Flick Wilson’s Mind Body & Soul continues to resonate with musicians and producers looking for compelling samples to flip.
Conclusion
The iconic mind, body and soul vocal refrain from Flick Wilson’s 1972 song forms the backbone of Alex Vargas’ hit Hummingbird. This unexpected sample gives the indie rock track a nostalgic, soulful edge that resonated widely with music fans.
Even decades later, Wilson’s catchy vocals and energetic performance make Mind Body & Soul sample-worthy. It proves good music truly is timeless, as creative artists like Vargas continue to discover it and introduce it to new generations.
From funk origins to modern indie pop, Mind Body & Soul endures as a treasure to be reimagined and celebrated.
