Songs with spoken lines

[lockhartgary]

One of the wonderful things about the Supremes' "Love is Here and Now You're Gone" is the spoken parts peppered throughout the song.

What other songs with spoken parts come to your minds?

For me:
"Standing in the Shadows of Love" - Four Tops
"I've Passed This Way Before" - "Jimmy Ruffin
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross

If I recall correctly, didn't "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" originally have a spoken intro?

[jboy88]

This was commonplace in Soul music, especially during the 70s. And Motown definitely had it’s fair share of “raps” as they were typically called. Here are a few that come to mind!

the Temptations- Farewell my Love
The Fantastic Four- I Love You Madly
Stevie Wonder- Sweet Little Girl
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles- I Care about Detroit
Diana Ross & the Supremes And the Temptations- I’m Gonna Make You Love Me
Switch- I Call Your Name
Eddie Kendricks- Each Day I Cry A Little

[marv2]

One of the wonderful things about the Supremes' "Love is Here and Now You're Gone" is the spoken parts peppered throughout the song.

What other songs with spoken parts come to your minds?

For me:
"Standing in the Shadows of Love" - Four Tops
"I've Passed This Way Before" - "Jimmy Ruffin
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross

If I recall correctly, didn't "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" originally have a spoken intro?

Yes it did have a spoken line by Jimmy Ruffin in it.

[marv2]

The Marvelettes - "Too Many Fish In the Sea" Gladys says, "Look HERE GIRLS
TAKE THIS ADVICE, AND REMEMBER ALWAYS IN LIFE"

[WaitingWatchingLookingForAChance]

Jimmy Ruffin- I'll Say Forever My Love, Farewell Is A Lonely Sound

Marvelettes- Now Is The Time For Love, I Need Someone, When You're Young And In Love [[alternate mix featured on the Forever More box set) Love Is Good

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas- I Should Be Proud [[such a heartbreaking and what sounds like a very heartfelt spoken passage on this one)

The Temptations- I've Passed This Way Before

The Spinners- For All We Know

The Monitors- Step By Step [[Hand In Hand) [[kinda half spoken, half "sermonized" intro)

The Supremes- When It's To The Top [[Still I Won't Stop Giving You Love)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles- Baby Baby Don't Cry, No Wonder Love's A Wonder

Mary Wells- He's The One I Love

Kim Weston & Marvin Gaye- Teach Me Tonight [[excellent banter between Marvin & Kim near the end of the song)

The Contours- Don't Let Her Be Your Baby [[LOOK I'm telling you as a friend because I think you're SOOO NICE. I really think a lot of YOU. now you can let her wear your PIINN, you can let her be your FRIEND. but. what. ever. you. do... then step away from the speakers before Billy REALY lets loose when he starts to sing)

The Contours- Can You Do It

The Supremes and Contours- What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

The Velvelettes - He's The One, Love Is Good

The Temptations- It's Summer [[version found on the album, Psychedelic Shack)

[masterblaster]

"Forget Me Not" by Martha &a The Vandellas, cut from the single release in UK.

[Motown Eddie]

The Temptations-"Take A Stroll Through Your Mind" [[with Melvin Franklin's spoken bit "There Is No Young, There Is No Old, Reach Out And Touch Your Soul")

[Motown Eddie]

Also, Stevie Wonder-"A Place In The Sun" [["If times are bad and you're feeling sad, I want you to always remember").

[Motown Eddie]

The Contours: both "Do You Love Me" & "First I Look At The Purse" have spoken intros. "You broke my heart, cause I couldn't dance. You didn't even want me around. And now I'm back to let you know, I Can Really Shake 'Em Down". on the former and "What does every man look at first?" on the latter.

[jobucats]

Supremes- The Only Time I’m Happy
Four Tops-Still Waters- who could forget Levi’s opening line , “Walk with me.” !?

[benross]

Tears In Vain - Diana Ross & The Supremes
The Only Time I'm Happy - Diana Ross & The Supremes
Ain't No Sad Song - Diana Ross
How About You - Diana Ross
[[They Long To Be) Close To You - Diana Ross
Help Me Make It Through The Night - Gladys Knight & The Pips
The Children's Christmas Song - Diana Ross & The Supremes
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Diana Ross & The Supremes
This Guy's In Love With You - Diana Ross & The Supremes with The Temptations

[jobucats]

Tears In Vain - Diana Ross & The Supremes
The Only Time I'm Happy - Diana Ross & The Supremes
Ain't No Sad Song - Diana Ross
How About You - Diana Ross
[[They Long To Be) Close To You - Diana Ross
Help Me Make It Through The Night - Gladys Knight & The Pips
The Children's Christmas Song - Diana Ross & The Supremes
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Diana Ross & The Supremes
This Guy's In Love With You - Diana Ross & The Supremes with The Temptations

Before the hardcore fans get riled up, you might want to edit your artists' names. All the ones you assigned to Diana Ross & the Supremes [[except the last 'This Guy's In Love With You') were actually by The Supremes. To the purists, there is a difference. Great list, btw.

[lockhartgary]

I just remembered another: "Masterpiece" by the Temptations

[Motown Eddie]

Just thought of this one; Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" [[from Hotter Than July) has a spoken word segment during it's closing moments. "We'll make the Dream a Reality, I know we will because our hearts tell us so".

[Motown Eddie]

Supremes- The Only Time I’m Happy
Four Tops-Still Waters- who could forget Levi’s opening line , “Walk with me.” !?

Yes indeed! And the flip side of "Still Water [[Love)", "Still Water [[Peace)", features Levi Stubbs spoken monologue throughout the song [[with The Tops doing the harmonies in the background).

[marv2]

The Supremes "High Energy".

Mary says, "Share what you got, keep what you need.Right? Wrong? because I need all of you. There are many things in life I'd share, but I will never share my man!"

[Motown Eddie]

We can't forget Marvin Gaye.

Songs such as "Save The Children" & "Love Me Now Or Love Me Later" alternate between spoken and sung segments. Also the introductions to "Here, My Dear", "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You" and the closing moments of "In Our Lifetime" feature spoken lines.

[marv2]

Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" had a few spoken lines.

[copley]

Marvelettes 'When You're Young And In Love'


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kauGG6fxYo

[copley]

Supremes - 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'
"there ain't nothing you can do about it"

Supremes - 'Love Is Here And Now You're Gone'
"You closed the door to your heart
And you turned the key, locked your love away from me"

"You stripped me of my dreams
You gave me faith, then took my hope
Look at me now"

"My heart cries out for your touch
But you're not there
And the lonely cry fades in the air"

[copley]

Supremes - 'Stoned Love'


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXGabuGle1A

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/9pFfo-_YjiE

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/j1AG_QJorDU

[Jerry Oz]

This is the Motown forum, but I'll still add Otis and Carla's "Tramp", which popped into my mind immediately after reading the title.

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/0p37izJTsz4

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/K7GyZPtzZuk

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/SOrN03XqxZA

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/GYqMIXkJhog

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/QQuV3FHlW2o

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/WqhoqAdtJPs

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/L3mqqEy4wws

[mysterysinger]

** Thelma Houston - "To Make It Easier On You" [[from "Sunshower" - well it did see a Motown release").

If I could say a gentle word,
to make the inevitable passing of our love seem a little less final.
Knowing that the heart can't help growing colder.
If I could bear the pain and bitterness of our last goodbye,
and let you remember the first sweet hello,
it would make it all worthwhile for me.


** Tom Clay - pretty much anything "What The World Needs Now", "Whatever Happened To Love" etc.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZukDmQL2H4

[mysterysinger]

** Shorty Long [[or was it?) - "Here Comes The Judge"

Hear ye, hear ye
The court's in session
The court's in session, now
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge


** Shorty Long - "Stranded In The Jungle"....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQMeSUwSbKk

[mysterysinger]

** Jackson 5 - "Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOl8PxT0Snc

[mysterysinger]

** Chuck Jackson - Let me ask you something fellas - "Girls, Girls, Girls"

** Chuck Jackson / Jimmy Ruffin - "Honey Come Back".....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOP6IU9mww

[Motown Eddie]

And more Marvin Gaye:
"You're The Man" has a spoken word segment just before the end of Part 1; "Don't you understand, there's misery in the land".
"Since I Had You" kicks off with this monologue; "This is a story about two lover that shouldn't have been. Then by chance, they met at the neighborhood dance and they had those same old feelings again".
Also "I Met A Little Girl" & "A Funky Space Reincarnation" [[from Here, My Dear) have spoken lines.

[mysterysinger]

** Brenda Holloway - How do you live with a broken heart and only a memory - "Hurt a Little Everyday".

[alexstassi]

Michael Jackson "girl don't take your love from me"

Jackson 5 "2-4-6-8"

[lockhartgary]

** Shorty Long [[or was it?) - "Here Comes The Judge"

Hear ye, hear ye
The court's in session
The court's in session, now
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge


** Shorty Long - "Stranded In The Jungle"....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQMeSUwSbKk

Yes, it is "Here Comes the Judge".

I never knew Shorty did a version of "Stranded in the Jungle".

[jboy88]

Yes, it is "Here Comes the Judge".

I never knew Shorty did a version of "Stranded in the Jungle".
Actually the opening lines were done by Sammy Davis Jr, who at that time was alternating the Judge gag with Pigmeat Markham on Laugh-in. Markham would cut his own Here Comes the Judge on Chess later that year, itself an example of this thread.

[mysterysinger]

Yes I read that Sammy did the "hear ye" etc on HCTJ hence the ?. Nice bit of collaboration methinks.

[Eargasm]

Soul Children I'll Be The Other Woman
Empress.. Help Me Make It Through The Night.

[Eargasm]

Walk Softly GK&TP's...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg0jZoWFhu0

[Eargasm]

My apologies, just realised it's Motown spoken lines !.... although " Help Me Make It " would qualify, I must pay more attention lol !

[Eargasm]

How about R. Dean Taylor a great Northern Soul song !...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug_NpT5Io8g

[lockhartgary]

Jackson 5 - "Honey Chile"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe1W2Hf64cI

[marv2]

Actually the opening lines were done by Sammy Davis Jr, who at that time was alternating the Judge gag with Pigmeat Markham on Laugh-in. Markham would cut his own Here Comes the Judge on Chess later that year, itself an example of this thread.

I remember Sammy doing that on Laugh-In. I also remember seeing ads for Pigmeat Markhams shows in the local paper.

[marv2]

Supremes - 'Stoned Love'


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXGabuGle1A

Copley, I don't think there is a spoken part on "Stoned Love".

[arr&bee]

Marvin gaye-funky space reincarnation.

[alexstassi]

Temptations "I ain't got nothin" a rare lead from Otis William's.

[144man]

Copley, I don't think there is a spoken part on "Stoned Love".

You're right, Marv. I also was thinking of the opening monologue being spoken but it is definitely sung.

[MIKEW-UK]

https://youtu.be/MJrYbpi2zTc