Bye B*tch (1968) Carla Evans

In this nearly chart-topping 1968 track, the incredibly talented Carla Evans delivers a jaw-dropping message to her man, breaking things off in one of the most shocking ways imaginable. With her powerful and emotive voice, she captures the raw essence of heartbreak and betrayal, leaving listeners captivated by the story she tells. This song not only showcases her remarkable vocal abilities but also highlights the intense emotions that come when a relationship comes to an unexpected end. Fans of classic music will appreciate the nostalgic sound and the impactful lyrics that resonate with anyone who has ever experienced love and loss. Join us as we explore the themes of heartbreak, empowerment, and resilience in this unforgettable musical journey.
Carla Evans and The Heartbeats: A Bootylicious Backbeat Sensation
Hailing from the mean streets of South Philly, Carla Evans and The Heartbeats are the raunchiest, cheekiest, and most unapologetically fun act to emerge from the golden era of soul. Known for their funky grooves, soaring harmonies, and lyrics that walk the fine line between soulful and scandalous, Carla and her crew know how to keep the crowd laughing, dancing, and blushing.
Carla Evans, the sultry songstress and self-proclaimed "Queen of Cheek," grew up belting gospel hymns at her church by day and sneaking out to basement soul parties by night. Her unmistakable smoky vocals and playful onstage antics caught the attention of Secondhand Soul Records, a second-rate Philadelphia label with first-rate ambition. The label was created to scoop up acts Motown Records ignored-and Carla Evans and The Heartbeats were the label's crown jewel.
After being told by a Motown exec that her music was “too spicy” for the Motor City, Carla took her talents to Secondhand Soul, where she and The Heartbeats cranked out a series of risqué Philly soul hits, including “A* Smackers”, “Love in the Backseat (With the Seatbelt On)”, and “B**ty Calls and Broken Hearts.” While they never achieved Motown-level fame, their cult following exploded, with fans dubbing them the “Soul’s Guilty Pleasure.”
Backed by The Heartbeats-her loyal band of three brothers, a cousin, and a guy who just showed up to rehearsal one day-Carla delivers every performance with an irresistible mix of sass, class, and just a touch of crass. Their live shows are legendary for their improvised banter, b**ty-shaking choreography, and occasional mid-set spank-offs.
Though Secondhand Soul Records eventually folded in the mid-70s due to "creative differences" (and several unpaid bar tabs), Carla Evans and The Heartbeats remain a beloved fixture of soul music’s bawdiest corners. Today, Carla tours as a solo act, still bringing her signature mix of playful charm and powerhouse vocals to audiences around the country.
Because sometimes, when Motown closes a door, Secondhand Soul kicks open the back door... and gives it a playful smack.
Secondhand Soul, Philadelphia’s finest (and only) purveyor of 1960s-style soul music from musicians who were, well… let’s just say they were “underappreciated” in their time. We specialize in hits that never hit, grooves that never got their groove on, and talent that was, quite frankly, talent-adjacent.
Our fictitious record label proudly resurrects the forgotten songs of Philly’s almost-legends-artists who didn’t quite have the magic of Motown, the grit of Stax, or the budget for studio time. Whether it’s Lester “Loose Strings” McCoy and his one-man band debacle or The Overtones (who were consistently under-pitched), we’ve got the tunes that almost made the cut.
Every song is dripping with that vintage soul vibe you love-horns that blare, harmonies that try, and lyrics that make you wonder, “Did they really rhyme ‘love’ with ‘glove’ again?”
So dust off your dancing shoes, lower your expectations just a smidge, and dive into the grooves of Secondhand Soul-where the music is recycled, but the feelings are real(ish). It’s soul with a second chance!