How 'Bout Us (song)

The song was originally released in 1975 by an earlier incarnation of the group, then called the Water Brothers Band.[1] It was re-recorded by Champaign, and it was Champaign's version that became a hit single. "How 'Bout Us" peaked at #4 on the soul chart and was one of three releases to make the top 10 on the soul chart.[2] It was on the Hot 100 chart for 23 weeks, peaking at #12 on 6 June 1981, and also reached the top of the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks.[3] The title track of Champaign's debut album and their first single, the tune combines instrumentals, traditional background vocals repeated multiple times, and poetic verses performed by Champaign's lead vocalist Pauli Carman to create a sound similar to other ballads released during the time.

• The song has been covered as a duet between established blue-eyed soul singer/musician Grayson Hugh and noted R&B singer Betty Wright; their version, from the soundtrack of the 1989 film True Love, peaked at #67 on the American pop charts, crossing over to #30 R&B.
• A cover by American country music group Girls Next Door peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1990.[26]
• British pop singer David McAlmont interpolated the chorus into his 1999 single "Lose My Faith."[27]
• Scottish singer Lulu covered the song on her 1993 album Independence.

• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1981 (U.S.)