I love "Nothing But Heartaches". I think it should have hit #1
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I love "Nothing But Heartaches". I think it should have hit #1
I always liked Nothing But Heartaches. a fav of mine . but looking back on it I think Motown didn't promote it correctly as I remember , or it seems they were confused as to what the NEXT song should be...they had the Supremes perform Mother Dear twice on tv in place of NBH. I am sure that lack of promo hurt the song. as I look back you can see what songs the supremes performed on tv and how many times and the chart positions.
I remember when they performed Come See About Me the following week it jumped back to #1.
in 1970 ed Sullivan made a deal to have DR and the Supremes on but BG pulled DR out of public eye for about a year. I don't still understand this but I am assuming he thought her absence would create a huge wave of sorts. he was wrong.Sullivan was furious and he never had the supremes on again . I don't think those early DR songs got much pr.
I was kinda young so my memory is faded but I don't remember her on tv much then other than her own tv special. to me , out of sight out of mind!!! so no record sales
I also thought Nathan Jones is a cool classic that didn't do badly but thought it should have been bigger. they performed it once on Tonight Show but I think that was it. this song was rock but soulful at the same time . under rated in my opinion.
I liked The Miracles' "I Don't Blame You At All" better than "Tears of A Clown" [[which I didn't care for when it was released, but I now appreciate how catchy it is) and had hoped "Blame" would be a bigger hit. Seems like it's totally forgotten today, along with some of the other great songs mentioned in this thread.
I also liked Edwin Starr's "Stop the War Now" better than "War".
I love "Something About You". Not a fan of The Marvelettes' "You're The One", I almost always skip over that song.
Lots of mention, in this thread, for "Nothing But Heartaches". I was recently binge-listening to the 16 Big Hits volumes and realized that "Heartaches" and "Itching" are the only two "hits" by The Supremes not included in that series. Motown must have still been nursing their wounds from those two songs missing the top of the charts. [[Three of The Supremes earliest releases, "I Want A Guy", "My Heart Can't Take It No More" and "Run, Run, Run", are also not included, but no surprise there. Interestingly, one B-side, "Going Down For The Third Time", is included.)
Take A Look Around by the Temptations should have been a bigger hit; I don't know what it followed anymore
Remember Me should have done better
Same here. I can listen to "Clown" but I almost never specifically play it. I love "I Don't Blame You At All".Quote:
Originally Posted by johnjeb
Totally agree, david. "Nathan Jones" didn't do badly, making the US Top 20 and peaking at #16 [[here in the UK it was a #5 smash!) but there's no reason why it couldn't and shouldn't have been a #1. It's vibrant and energetic and just fantastic! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by daviddh
I love both "Tears Of A Clown" and "I Don't Blame You At All"...! "I Don't Blame You" was actually something of a British hit [[just missing out on Top Ten at #11) and deservedly so. A great follow-up to the catchy "Tears Of A Clown". I never hear it on the radio today though????!!! A shame! :)
rob, I believe "Take A Look Around" followed "Superstar [[Remember How You Got Where You Are)". I like both very much but I'm not sure if it [[a mid-tempo ballad) was the best choice to follow [[the funky, rock-ish) "Superstar". Nevertheless it made #30 in the US and #12 in the UK!Quote:
Originally Posted by jobeterob
I have been paying attention to the radio recently and the only Jimmy Ruffin song they EVER seem to play is "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?"... oh, that and "Hold On To My Love". I don't know about you but this frustrates me endlessly!! Why not play the equally-excellent follow-ups "I've Passed This Way Before" and "Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got" [[both of which were Top 30 hits here in the UK) for a change? How about, even, one of Jimmy's Top Ten UK hits like "Farewell Is A Lonely Sound" or "I'll Say Forever My Love"...? [[They just NEVER DO!)Quote:
Originally Posted by TomatoTom123
*sigh*
Maybe I'm just listening to the wrong radio stations... LOL ;)
I totally agree! I love the Sixties station on XM. They do play a lot of songs you don’t hear elsewhere but “Brokenhearted” is the only Jimmy Ruffin song I ever hear there. “Gonna Give Her” is one of my very favorite Motown recordings; it deserves more airplay.Quote:
Originally Posted by TomatoTom123
Yes indeed, mowest. I love that song. Such a contrast to "Brokenhearted" but just as good in every way.Quote:
Originally Posted by mowest
I've been listening to Magic's digital radio station "Magic Soul" quite a lot recently. It's really quite good; they play all the songs you'd expect [[all the classics) but some you don't. I mean, I was so shocked when I heard Edwin Starr's "Stop Her On Sight" and The Supremes' "Bad Weather" playing!!! [[Two of my favourite Motown songs, playing on a national radio station!!!)
They even have this "Magic Soul vault" section in which the presenter picks out some rarer songs, like album tracks or B-Sides that don't get played enough. Unfortunately the concept kinda fell apart for me when they "dug through the vault" and played two Billboard #1s in a row, The Supremes' "Love Child" and Eddie Kendricks' "Keep On Truckin'"... *sigh again*
LOL
Tom, as much as I Iove Jimmy Ruffin's "....Brokenhearted" -- which, to me, is one of the prettiest records Motown ever released -- I would love to hear the oldies stations devoting some much-deserved and long-over-due attention to Jimmy's "As Long As There Is L-O-V-E [[Love)", as well as "Maria" and "Living In A World I Created For Myself" -- all Motown masterpieces by Jimmy Ruffin and The Andantes.Quote:
Originally Posted by TomatoTom123
I totally agree Gary! I love "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?" but it just gets a bit boring when you play it over and over again. If radio stations played follow-ups by so-called "one-hit wonders" they could nearly double their playlist. [[Sorta?)Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
Oh, and "Living In A World I Created For Myself" has to be one of Jimmy's best vocal performances ever. And The Andantes too. What a heavenly combination, Jimmy and The Andantes!! Also, one of my latest favourites by Jimmy is "Let's Say Goodbye Tomorrow", which is just achingly beautiful! :)
I still think Jimmy Ruffin's "Maria [[You Were the Only One)" would have been a big hit if given the airplay.
"As Long As There Is Love" is my fav Jimmy Ruffin cut. I first heard it on the radio back in the 90s. Such a great song.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
3. Reach Out I'll Be There-Diana Ross. One of her best vocals, patterned after ANMHE[/QUOTE]
I don't know why the mix was sooooo muddy. She sings it brilliantly, but the overall record lacked a crispness and "clearness" that was needed for this song to succeed.
The Ross-less Supremes hit Top 10 with "Up the Ladder to the Roof", perhaps to the thanks of high profile appearances on Ed Sullivan and the Smokey Robinson Special. Their follow-up, "Everybody's Got the Right to Love", didn't make the Top 20, even with the benefit of performances on Glenn Campbell and Andy Williams.
So what happened?
I think where "Ladder" was uptempo and glorious in harmony, "Everybody" was to slow? Too churchy? Too much like "Someday We'll Be Together"? I dunno.
Interestingly, was this the first Supremes single NOT recorded at Studio A? I believe this was recorded at Golden World.
EVERYBODYS GOT THE RIGHT was more a Dean Martin type of song. good lp cut nut not a single. didn't even have the Motown feel. but Jean and the ladies show some good vocals. I would have went with Life Beats or any other track other than this one
I'm listening to "Everybody's Got The Right To Love" for the first time right now. It's really quite fantastic!
You're right, Mary, it is slower and less upbeat than "Up The Ladder To The Roof"... maybe not quite smash hit material.
I'm interested to know... is "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?" actually anyone's favourite Jimmy Ruffin song? Of course I do love it... it's beautiful and poignant but I'm just not a massive fan of depressing songs... LolQuote:
Originally Posted by mowest
Jean's vocal on "Everybody's Got the Right to Love" is so beautiful to me. I love this song for her voice alone. But other than that nothing about this song ever sounded like a hit to me and I always question the decision to follow up "Ladder" with it. I would have gone with either "I Got Hurt" or "But I Love You More". Even though I don't care for the song, I might have even given "Baby, Baby" a chance. I just don't hear a hit when I listen to "Everybody's Got the Right to Love".Quote:
Originally Posted by marybrewster
love But I Love You MoreQuote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
Me too David.Quote:
Originally Posted by daviddh
There is also a brilliant version by The Blackberries, and Blackberry Sherlie Matthews actually wrote the song! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by daviddh
I think I would have gone with "Life Beats" also but I don't think it was recorded at the time of Right On's release. I had "Life Beats" on a bootleg a couple years before it's official release and I gave it one or two listens and passed on it. When it made it onto the 70s Anthology it was like I heard it for the first time. That's a damn good song.Quote:
Originally Posted by daviddh
Tom I didn't care for the Blackberries version. It's not bad but it pales in comparison to the Supremes IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by TomatoTom123
What about David Ruffin's Heavy Love should Have been bigger than what it was, but personally I would have followed Walk Away From Love with Statue of A Fool.
Yes indeed, McMotown [[and may I say what a fantastic name that is too!), I ABSOLUTELY ADORE David's "Heavy Love"... it's similar enough to and practically as good as "Walk Away From Love" and it even has that "The Hustle" feel about it. Fantastic!Quote:
Originally Posted by McMotown
Oh, from what I remember The Blackberries version was quite nice. I think I prefer The Supremes version though, too, RanRan. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
Thanks Tom.
The Spinners 'It's A Shame' I thought it was followed by 'Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music' or am I wrong. However love that track anyway.
You're welcome McMotown! Actually I believe the fantastic "It's A Shame" was followed by the great "We'll Have It Made", on which G.C. Cameron is just brilliant. Sadly it wasn't much of a hit, especially compared to "It's A Shame", and The Spinners left Motown shortly after its release. "Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music" was, however, released as the B-Side of "Its A Shame", so it was a follow-up of sorts!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by McMotown
BUT, in 1973, Motown released a 'remixed' version of "Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music" [[as The Spinners were having a lot of success at Atlantic at this time) but it wasn't a very big hit either. Anyway, you're right, McMotown, the song [[in all its versions!) is great. :D
Life Beats was scheduled to be The 'New' Supremes' first single release.Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers follow up the sublime I Am Your Man should have been a great hit
"Heavy Love" sounded too much like "Walk Away" and IMO it just wasn't as good. I think it's the chorus that I don't care for. "Statue of a Fool" could have been big if promoted heavily. It's such a great cut.Quote:
Originally Posted by McMotown
Really? DFTMC has the song being completed in August of 1970 so that's why I didn't choose it. If the song was actually ready to go in time to be a follow up to "Ladder" then it gets my vote.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnny_raven
Bobby tears that song up. I love it.Quote:
Originally Posted by McMotown
Oh no! I just adore "Heavy Love"... admittedly it's got a sort of broken rhythm and it's probably not as good a song as "Walk Away" but I really do like it very much. I love David's vocal and I like how it builds up and gets a little [[just a little) funky towards the end.Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
Also, I think it was a good choice to follow-up with; I don't think "Statue Of A Fool" [[as a slow ballad) would have been successful following-up "Walk Away". Although all are excellent, the oriental-sounding "Wild Honey" is too different and "Who I Am" doesnt sound like a hit to me. "Heavy Love" was the best song to follow-up with IMO.
Then again I do love the song to bits so I'm slightly biased. Slightly. :p
While we're on this topic, why weren't "Everything's Coming Up Love" and "On And Off" huge "Walk Away"-sized hits? Soulful-Disco-Motown perfection in my opinion!!! :D
The single version appears on TCMS 1970Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
"Track recorded December 18, 1969; Background vocals and demo lead vocal recorded December 23; Strings added January 4, 1970; Lead vocal recorded January 15, 1970
Scheduled for Motown M 1162 A