There has been some talk of this release on other threads, but I wanted to share my observations on the Supremes 1969 single releases...and what happened.
The Composer immediately followed I'm Livin' In Shame. I never liked this song, it just was too fluffy. The only reason I can think of Motown releasing this lame track after such pitch-hitters as Love Child, Livin' In Shame and I'm Gonna Make You Love Me was because Smokey had produced it and Smokey was hot again with Baby, Baby Don't Cry. Despite my feelings, The Composer got off to an impressive chart showing, debuting in the Top 60 and zooming into the Top 30 in only a few weeks. It clearly would have made the Top 20...until Gordy made some irrational decisions.
Gordy recorded No Matter What Sign You Are on the heels of the wildly successful 5th Dimension Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In. Although the instrumental track is excellent, the lyrics are ludicrous and Ross's attempts at imitating James Brown [[aaww) were downright funny. Despite this, Gordy pulled The Composer and No Matter What debuted also in the Top 60, but soon started limping as radio programmers and listeners soon laughed this song off as a "Hair" rip-off. Motown had always been a trend-setter; now they were imitating others.
Gordy expected stellar results from this song, even giving the accompanying lp the same name. When the song tanked, Motown quickly re-named the lp "Let The Sunshine In." This lp also did poorly. This all delayed Diana's departure even further. It was panic time in Hitsville as Gordy ranted and raved to his production team that he needed a No. 1 on the Supremes before pulling Diana out, as his adviser's had instructed. Another single with the Temptations, a rather bland "The Weight" didn't help matters. In order to buy time, the company even released the flip side, "The Young Folks" which did the worst chart showing on the group since 1963.
Johnny Bristol saved the day when he recorded Someday We'll Be Together and presented it to Quality Control. It was perfect for the occasion...the breaking up of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Gordy ordered it released and put a big budget on its promotion. As it soared up the charts, and after the airing of "GIT On Broadway" it was announced that Diana was leaving.
In hindsight, if Gordy had waited, The Composer likely would have been a much bigger hit than he allowed it to be. It's chart progress was excellent. To have held back the release of No Matter until The Composer completed its chart run would have been the smarter thing to do.
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