Two Is a Couple

{{Infobox song

| cover = Ike-and-tina-turner-two-is-a-couple-1965.jpg

| type = Single

| artist = Ike Turner

| released = October 1965

| genre = *Pop

| length = 2:30

| label = Sue Records

| writer = Ike Turner

| producer = Ike Turner

| prev_title = I Don't Need

| prev_year = 1965

| next_title = Can't Chance a Break Up

| next_year = 1965

}}

"Two Is A Couple" is a song written by Ike Turner. It was recorded and released by R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner in 1965.

Background and release

After three years with Sue Records, Ike & Tina Turner began recording on Ike Turner's Sonja label in 1963.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Ike Turner Forms Label |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1963/Billboard%201963-11-09.pdf |magazine=Billboard |date=November 9, 1963 |page=4}} They released numerous singles on various labels between 1964 and 1965 before re-signing to Sue in 1965.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Sue Re-Signs Ike & Tina Turner |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1965/CB-1965-10-02.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |date=October 2, 1965 |page=22}} Their first record under the new contract was "Two Is A Couple," released as a non-album track in October 1965. It was written and produced by Ike Turner. The single peaked at No. 15 on the Cash Box R&B chart. Tina Turner performed the song on the TV program Where the Action Is. A different version of "Two Is A Couple" appeared on the album Airwaves (United Artists, 1978). The song later appeared on the compilation album The Ike & Tina Turner Story: 1960–1975 (Time Life, 2007).

Critical reception

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = Record World

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|4}}

}}

The single was chosen as Cash Box's Pick of the Week.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Record Reviews: Pick of the Week |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1965/CB-1965-10-16.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |date=October 16, 1965 |page=10}}

Cash Box (October 16, 1965): "Ike and Tina Turner return to the home of their original hits with this power-packed Sue release dubbed 'Two Is A Couple.' The side is a rollicking, fast-moving pop-r&b handclapper about a somewhat jealous lass who doesn't want any other female messing around with her fella. 'Tin Top House' is a lyrical, lush-sounding blues weeper with a nostalgic years-back sound."

Record World (October 16, 1965): "Couple will escort 'Couple' far and Sue folk must be happy to have them back aboard."{{cite magazine |author= |title=Singles Reviews: Four Star Picks |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/65/RW-1965-10-16.pdf |magazine=Record World |date=October 16, 1965 |page=6}}

Billboard (October 23, 1965): "A blockbuster that rocks from start to finish. Hot chart item that will hit with great impact."{{cite magazine |author= |title=Spotlight Singles: R&B Spotlights: Top 10 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1965/Billboard%201965-10-23.pdf |magazine=Billboard |date=October 23, 1965 |page=16}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| all_writing = Ike Turner

| title1 = Two Is A Couple

| length1 = 2:30

| title2 = Tin Top House

| length2 = 2:15

| total_length =

}}

Chart performance

class="wikitable"

|+

!Chart

!Peak
position

US Cash Box Top 50 R&B{{cite magazine |author= |title=Top 50 In R&B Locations |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1965/CB-1965-11-20.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |date=November 20, 1965 |page=36}}

| align="center" |15

US Cash Box Looking Ahead{{cite magazine |author= |title=Looking Ahead |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1965/CB-1965-11-13.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |date=November 13, 1965 |page=16}}

| align="center" |113

US Record World Top 40 R&B{{cite magazine |author= |title=Top 40 R&B |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/65/RW-1965-11-20.pdf |magazine=Record World |date=November 20, 1965 |page=26}}

| align="center" |26

US Record World Singles Coming Up{{cite magazine |author= |title=Singles Coming Up |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/65/RW-1965-11-27.pdf |magazine=Record World |date=November 27, 1965 |page=29}}

| align="center" |112

References