Written by Michael Price and Dan Walsh, “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” was first recorded in 1974 by Bobby “Blue” Bland (1930-2013), a Tennessee singer known for his evolving blues sound that frequently incorporated elements of gospel, soul and r&b. The song appeared on Bland’s 1974 ABC/Dunhill album Dreamer and was released as a single. Though it barely registered on the pop charts, topping out at #91, the song climbed the rhythm & blues charts to the #9 spot, giving Bland his 27th Top Ten R&B hit in seventeen years.

Though Bland largely disappeared from the charts after 1974, “Ain’t No Love” kept his legacy alive and has inspired many artists in a wide range of musical genres. Hard rock band Whitesnake recorded the song for their 1978 debut album and released a live version as a single two years later. Perhaps most famously, producer Kanye West heavily sampled Bland’s recording for the Jay-Z track “Heart Of The City (Ain’t No Love)” on 2001’s The Blueprint.