What Becomes of the Broken Hearted question

[floyjoy678]

I love everything about this song but one thing I really love about it is the background vocals. I know it's the Andantes and the Originals but there is one voice coming from the guys parts that is very distinctive and sticks out. It's the same on Tammi Terrell's Come On And See Me. Does anyone know whose voice it is?

[tjl]

I always thought the loud male voice was Freddie Gorman - have you heard the choir ending we did on "Motown: Big Hits and More"? backing vocals are loud throughout.

[mysterysinger]

I wonder why "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" didn't have a question mark - as in "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?".

"Motown: Big Hits and More" - fantastic. And there was a recent thread too.

https://soulfuldetroit.com/showthrea...ury-Collection

[mysterysinger]

This doesn't really add anything, but may be of interest anyway [[the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall Of Fame . . .

https://michiganrockandrolllegends.c...-brokenhearted

[floyjoy678]

Hey TJ yes I do have that version downloaded and love it! But I will admit I prefer the song without the spoken intro. I love the instrumental and the somber "oooooh"s in those first 30 seconds of the song. It's a nice build up to that first verse.

[sansradio]

I wonder why "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" didn't have a question mark - as in "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?".

My theory is that it's because the full sentence includes "who had love that's now departed?".

[144man]

Most Motown titles that are questions don't have the question mark.

[mysterysinger]

Most Motown titles that are questions don't have the question mark.

Yes, that's true.

[Blaksoulfire]

I love everything about this song but one thing I really love about it is the background vocals. I know it's the Andantes and the Originals but there is one voice coming from the guys parts that is very distinctive and sticks out. It's the same on Tammi Terrell's Come On And See Me. Does anyone know whose voice it is?

Here's a listing of the background performers - maybe this can help figure it out: Producer: William Mickey Stevenson
Producer: William Weatherspoon
Associated Performer, Vocals: Jimmy Ruffin
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Freddie GormanAssociated Performer, Background Vocalist: Walter GainesAssociated Performer, Background Vocalist: Hank DixonAssociated Performer, Background Vocalist: C.P. SpencerAssociated Performer, Background Vocalist: Jackie HicksAssociated Performer, Background Vocalist: Marlene BarrowAssociated Performer, Background Vocalist: Louvain DempsComposer Lyricist: James DeanComposer Lyricist: Paul RiserComposer Lyricist: William Weatherspoon

[Boogiedown]

I feel the back-ups on this are critical to creating its heavier ambience [especially that certain prominent voice] and therefore invaluable to the records degree of success.



The first 30 seconds are theirs [did the 2 back-up Supremes ever get an extended intro like that for any of their songs?] . Ironic that this group sound is in this instance credited to a solo artist especially when there were several Motown groups that this concept could've been assigned to.

[Graham Jarvis]

If any are or have in the past had the list of Motown for "What Becomes of The Broken hearted" What others ?

They are so far: And who might be the Intro & Solo?
The - Contours
The - Fantastic Four
The - Isley Bros
The - Jimmy Ruffin [You Have]
And - Dennis Edwards

No Doubt many others?
[P.S. Chris Farlowe copy 1966 Motown but different Label]

[glencro]

A great song co-written and produced by the William Weatherspoon, brother of the late great comedian John Witherspoon

[MIKEW-UK]

Diana Ross & The Supremes

Temptations

[mysterysinger]

In 1981, Dave Stewart and Colin Blunstone [[ex Zombies front man) took "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" to number 13 in the UK charts.

[lucky2012]

In 1981, Dave Stewart and Colin Blunstone [[ex Zombies front man) took "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" to number 13 in the UK charts.

Thank you for posting this. I've always loved She' Not There by the Zombies. I'll have to look more into Colin Blunstone.

[motown01]

https://streamable.com/q4k7b2

[mysterysinger]

https://streamable.com/q4k7b2

What beautiful vocals there. Outstanding.