For many years I've been reading on the discussion boards analyses of why Touch by the Supremes wasn't a hit. A common argument is that it wasn't a hit because it was a sexy love song with a shared lead between Mary and Jean and might have done better if either Mary or Jean had been sole lead.

But in the mid 90s, two female groups each had a big hit with a sexy ballad with shared lead vocals.

TLC with Red Light Special [[leads by T-Boz and Chilli)

Spice Girls with 2 Become 1 [[leads by Mel C., Emma, Mel B. and Victoria).

Besides changing times and tastes, what is it about these songs that made them hits while Touch didn't hit? I'm going to paste the videos for all three starting with Touch in this one and the next two posts Red Light special and 2 Become 1 so anyone interested can play them and compare and hopefully comment.