You know that feeling when a song starts and you instantly recognize the vibe, but you can't quite place the origin? That's exactly the magic behind Help Yourself to My Love. It’s a track that has lived a dozen different lives. If you’re a crate-digger or just someone who spends too much time on Spotify, you’ve likely bumped into this melody through a dozen different rappers or producers before ever hearing the original.
It’s soulful. It’s gritty. It feels like a late-night drive in a city that’s seen better days.
Most people today associate the hook with big-name hip-hop records, but the roots go way back to 1974. We’re talking about Dee Edwards. She wasn't a household name like Aretha Franklin or Gladys Knight, but in the world of Northern Soul and underground R&B, she’s royalty. Her voice has this specific kind of yearning that sounds like it was practically built for a sampler.
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Why Everyone Sampled Dee Edwards
When producers look for a "loop," they aren't just looking for a catchy tune. They want a mood. They want something that feels "expensive" but raw. Help Yourself to My Love fits that perfectly. It’s got these soaring strings and a bassline that just breathes.
Honestly, the most famous use of this track is probably by Big L. In his song "Put It On," produced by Buckwild, the sample is flipped so perfectly it basically defined the sound of 90s East Coast rap. Buckwild didn't just play the song; he found the pocket. He found that tiny moment where the instrumentation opens up and lets the listener breathe.
Then you’ve got Fat Joe. Or Common. Or The Game. It’s a long list.
Why does it work?
Because the original production by Floyd Jones and the Detroit-based label atmosphere gave it a texture that modern digital synths can't replicate. It’s the sound of real musicians in a real room. It’s got "dirt" on it. In an era where everything is quantized and perfectly on the beat, the slight imperfections of a 1974 soul record are like gold to a producer.
The Detroit Connection
Dee Edwards wasn't just some random singer; she was part of the thriving Detroit soul scene that existed just outside the massive shadow of Motown. While Berry Gordy was building a pop empire, labels like Cotillion and GM Records (where Dee recorded) were doing something a bit more experimental.
She was actually married to Floyd Jones, who was a heavy hitter in the local music circuit. Together, they crafted sounds that were a bit more "street" than the polished hits coming out of Hitsville U.S.A. When you listen to Help Yourself to My Love, you can hear that edge. It’s not trying to be a bubblegum pop hit. It’s a plea. It’s an invitation.
Breaking Down the Anatomy of the Track
Let’s look at the actual construction of the song. It starts with those iconic, sweeping strings. They feel cinematic.
Then the drums kick in. They aren't aggressive, but they have a steady, mid-tempo march that feels inevitable. When Dee comes in, her phrasing is deliberate. She doesn't over-sing. She lets the melody carry her.
Many people get the lyrics wrong. They think it’s a standard "love me" song. But there’s a nuance to it. It’s about availability and vulnerability. It’s an open door. "Help yourself" implies that the love is already there, laid out like a feast, and it’s up to the other person to take what they need. That’s a powerful, almost selfless sentiment.
The Hip-Hop Resurrection
If it weren't for the 90s boom-bap era, this song might have been lost to the dusty corners of record stores in Michigan. But hip-hop acts as a library. It’s a preservation system.
When Buckwild pulled that record for Big L, he wasn't just making a beat. He was introducing a 1970s soul singer to a generation of kids in the Bronx and Harlem who had never heard of her.
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- Big L - "Put It On": The definitive flip. It uses the intro strings and the main groove to create a celebratory, street-certified anthem.
- Common - "Resurrection" (Extra P Remix): Pete Rock (Extra P) is a master of the soul sample, and his take on the Dee Edwards vibe is legendary.
- Aaliyah - "Old School": Even the Princess of R&B paid homage. It shows how the song’s DNA crossed over from rap back into 90s R&B.
It’s interesting how a song about giving yourself to someone else became the backdrop for "braggadocio" rap. There’s a weird contrast between Dee Edwards’ gentle invitation and Big L’s aggressive, witty lyricism. But that’s the beauty of sampling. It recontextualizes emotion.
The Northern Soul Phenomenon
You can't talk about Help Yourself to My Love without mentioning the UK.
In the North of England, during the 70s and 80s, there was a massive movement called Northern Soul. These were mods and soul fanatics who obsessed over American R&B records that didn't quite make it big in the US. They wanted the rare stuff. The "white labels." The B-sides.
Dee Edwards became a staple in these dance halls. Places like the Wigan Casino would play these records at 3:00 AM to crowds of people dancing their hearts out. To them, this wasn't just a "sample source." It was a sacred text.
Even today, if you go to a soul night in London or Manchester, people will lose their minds when they hear the first three seconds of this track. It represents a specific kind of transatlantic cultural exchange that most people completely overlook.
Why It Still Matters Today
In 2026, we’re seeing a massive resurgence in "analog" sounds. People are tired of the "clean" sound of AI-generated music or overly processed pop. They want soul.
Help Yourself to My Love is a masterclass in how to record a vocal. Dee isn't using Auto-Tune. She isn't trying to hit a five-octave range. She’s just feeling it. That’s what’s missing in a lot of contemporary tracks, and that’s why young producers keep going back to this specific record. It’s a shortcut to authenticity.
It also serves as a reminder of the "one that got away." Dee Edwards had the talent to be as big as Diana Ross. For whatever reason—marketing, timing, luck—it didn't happen in the 70s. But music is a long game. Her voice is now heard by millions of people every month through the songs that sampled her. That’s a different kind of immortality.
Finding the Original Pressing
If you're a collector, good luck. Original 7-inch pressings of Dee Edwards’ work on labels like Bump Shop or GM can be incredibly hard to find in mint condition.
Collectors have driven the price up because of the sample history. It’s a trophy. Having the original vinyl is like owning a piece of the "blueprint" for hip-hop.
But you don't need a $500 record player to appreciate it. Just put on a good pair of headphones and listen to the original 1974 version. Ignore the rap beats for a second. Listen to the way the flute enters the mix. Listen to the background vocalists. They’re tight, but they have a human "swing" to them.
Common Misconceptions
People often confuse this song with other 70s hits because the "Help Yourself" title was popular. Tom Jones had a massive hit called "Help Yourself," but it couldn't be more different. That’s a boisterous, brassy pop tune. Dee Edwards’ version is a velvet-draped soul confession.
Another mistake? Thinking the song was recorded in Memphis or Muscle Shoals. While it has that Southern "warmth," it’s a pure Detroit product. It’s got that Motor City precision.
How to Use This Knowledge
If you’re a creator, an artist, or just a music fan, there’s a lot to learn from this one track.
First, look for the "space" in music. Part of why this song is so sample-friendly is that it isn't cluttered. There’s room for a rapper to talk. There’s room for a listener to think.
Second, appreciate the "B-side." The world is full of hits, but the real soul is often found in the records that didn't go Platinum. Dee Edwards proves that quality is independent of chart position.
Lastly, understand that music is a conversation across time. When a producer in 2024 uses a loop from 1974, they are talking to Floyd Jones. They are talking to Dee Edwards. They are keeping a legacy alive.
Step-by-Step Discovery Plan
- Listen to the Original First: Search for "Dee Edwards - Help Yourself to My Love (1974)" on your preferred streaming platform. Pay attention to the bridge, which many samplers skip.
- Compare the Flips: Listen to Big L's "Put It On" and then immediately listen to Common's "Resurrection (Extra P Remix)." Notice how two different producers heard two different possibilities in the same three minutes of audio.
- Explore the Label: Look up other artists on the GM Records or Bump Shop labels. You’ll find a treasure trove of Detroit soul that never got its fair shake.
- Check the Credits: Look up Floyd Jones. He’s the unsung hero behind the board who shaped this sound. Understanding the producer's role helps you see how the "vibe" was actually constructed in the studio.
- Build a Sample-Source Playlist: Start a list of the original songs behind your favorite hip-hop tracks. It changes the way you hear modern music entirely.