Did You Know Carl Weathers Wrote And Sang These Two Songs?

Carl Weathers left this world as a renounced actor. The Emmy nominee began dabbling in television in the 1970s and starred in series such as Magnum Force, Good Times, and S.W.A.T. He made a jump to the big screen in 1975 when he landed a role in Bucktown, but it was his iconic character Apollo Creed from the Rocky franchise that began his Hollywood legacy.

In all, Carl acted in 80 projects, including Happy Gilmore and Predator. His final role was Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, which earned him his Emmy nod.

However, Carl had several successful careers in life. After graduating from San Diego State, he was a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders for two seasons from 1970 to 1971. After that, he moved to Canada to play for the BC Lions for three seasons beginning in 1971. While he was off the field, he studied drama at San Francisco State University. In 1974, he hung up his jersey to officially put all his time and energy into Hollywood.

Carl was one of the few who was able to live his dream of acting. But that wasn’t his only dream. He also hoped to become a singer, and in the 1980s, he took his chances.

“The first true love in my life is music,” Carl once said.

The film star released two singles, both in the funk genre. While Carl Weathers’ music didn’t make it as big as his characters, his songs are recognizable, and you may be surprised to learn that he was the person behind the microphone.

Written by Carl Weathers, Dwight J. Emile, Ray Jackson, and Hadley Murrell

Carl Weathers had the opportunity to work with soul songwriter Hadley Murrell on a 1981 single titled That’s Love Calling. Hadley began performing at only 14 and moved into writing as an adult. He wrote for legends like Little Richard, James Brown, and Peter Casey.

The upbeat tune about falling in love includes all the calling cards of the era with a huge horn section, a standout baseline, and iconic seventh-chord variations.

You can listen to the song here.

Written by Carl Weathers and Dwight J. Emile 

Carl Weathers’ second song, which appeared on the A-side of the record that held That’s Love Calling, was written by Carl and Dwight J. Emile, who often wrote for and with Eddie Horan. Hadley Murrell had his hand in this single as a producer.

You Ought to Be with Me is a slower and more melancholy tune about a man pining away for a lost love, and it shows Carl’s versatility as a singer. Some of you may recognize the song from the Season 2 soundtrack of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

You can listen to the single here.

Carl Weathers died on Feb. 1, 2024, at the age of 76.

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.