Levi Stubbs: baritone; Abdul “Duke” Fakir: first tenor; Lawrence Payton: second tenor, vocal arranger; Renaldo “Obie” Benson: baritone.
1955-56
[Unverified first single as the Four Aims; allegedly issued as Grady 012; its existence isn’t confirmed, and if it was recorded, it’s lost] If Only I Had Known/ She Gave Me Love.
Carolyn Hayes & the Four Tops, with Maurice King and His Wolverines, Really/ Baby Say You Love Me. Recorded: ca. late April-early May 1955, Detroit; first release: June 1955, Chateau 2001.
Dolores Carroll & the Four Tops, with Maurice King and His Wolverines, Everybody Knows/ I Just Can’t Keep the Tears From Tumblin’ Down. Recorded: ca. late April-early May 1955, Detroit; first release: June 1955, Chateau 2002.
All subsequent releases as Four Tops unless noted.
Could It Be You/ Kiss Me Baby [Davis], Chess 1623. Recorded: 4 April 1956, Chess Studios, 4750 Cottage Grove, Chicago; first release: ca. late May 1956 [reviewed in the 2 June 1956 Cash Box].
The Tops recorded several other tracks for Chess. The 4 April 1956 session produced, along with the released single, Country Girl, More Than a Friend, That Ain’t All, Woke Up This Morning. Another session in the same period yielded I Wish You Would, I’m My Baby’s Sitter, All My Life. Many of these appeared on compilations in the 2000s; two (“More Than a Friend,” “That Ain’t All”) exist only as titles in Michel Ruppli’s The Chess Labels: Vol. 1.
1960
Lonely Summer [Kosloff, Kasha]/ Ain’t That Love [Stubbs]. Recorded: ca. spring 1960, Columbia Studios, New York. First release: ca. late July 1960, Columbia 43356 [reviewed in the 1 August 1960 Billboard].
1962
Pennies From Heaven [Johnston, Burke]/ Where You Are [Keyes, Smith, Jones]. Recorded: ca. summer-autumn 1962, New York; first release: 24 November 1962, Riverside 4534.
[as per Goldmine, the Tops recorded around this time for two Philadelphia-based labels: Red Top (which favored regional vocal groups and folded in 1963) and Singular (whose biggest hit was Danny and the Juniors’ “At the Hop,” and which also expired ca. 1963). There is no information available as to what songs the Tops cut, nor what happened to the recordings (presumably destroyed).]
1963
In the Motown era, a host of session musicians played on Four Tops records, the vast majority of which were recorded at Studio A, 2648 West Grand Boulevard, and, post-1966, Motown Studio B at 3246 West Davison St., Detroit. Often harmonizing on backing vocal tracks with Payton, Fakir, and Benson were The Andantes—Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps. But members of The Supremes, Vandellas, Marvelettes, Temptations et al are also heard on various Four Tops recordings. Key musicians include: Earl Van Dyke: bandleader, piano, organ; Joe Hunter (until 1964): piano, organ; Johnny Griffith: piano, organ, keyboards; Robert White, Eddie Willis, Joe Messina, Dennis Coffey: guitar; James Jamerson, Clarence Isabell, Bob Babbitt: bass; Benny Benjamin, Richard “Pistol” Allen, Uriel Jones: drums; Thomas “Beans” Bowles: tenor saxophone, flute; Eli Fontaine: tenor sax; Mike Terry: baritone sax; Maurice Davis, Johnny Trudell: trumpet; Paul Riser, George Bohannon, Don White, Bob Coussar: trombone; Jack Ashford: percussion, vibraphone, marimba; Eddie “Bongo” Brown: percussion; Jack Brokensha: vibraphone, marimba.
Get My Hands on Some Lovin’ [Gaye, Stevenson], I Can’t Believe You’re In Love With Me [Gaskill, McHugh]. Likely the first Motown Tops recordings, produced by William Stevenson, cut on 13 April 1963, and unreleased until 25 May 2005 on Lost Without You: 1963-1970, Hip-O Select B0003626-02.
Breaking Through (slated as Workshop Jazz W217; not released* until 28 September 1999 as Motown 012 153 365-2), recorded in Hitsville Studio A on 19 April 1963 (“Fascinating” to “Danced All Night”), 21 April 1963 (“Young and Foolish”), 25 May 1963 (“Every Day” to “On the Street”), 1 June 1963 (“Until I Met You”), 22 June 1963 (“When I’m Alone,” “Heart Could Sing,” cut at the Graystone Ballroom), 9 October 1963 (“Gee Baby,” “Maybe Today”), 17 October 1963 (“Nice ‘n’ Easy,” “I’m Falling”), 15 May 1964 (“Discovered,” “End of a Friendship”). [*”Nice ‘n’ Easy” first released in March 1967, on On Broadway.]
[Sequence in recording order; date of composition inc. w/ composer info. The 1963-64 compositions are in-house Motown songs, most also recorded by Marvin Gaye in the same period]. Fascinating Rhythm [I & G Gershwin, 1924]/ Stranger on the Shore [Bilk, 1961]/ I Left My Heart in San Francisco [Cory, Cross, 1953 (first perf. Tony Bennett, 1962)]/ This Can’t Be Love [Rodgers, Hart, 1938]/ I Could Have Danced All Night [Lerner, Loewe, 1956]/ Young and Foolish [Hague, Horwitt, 1954]/ Every Day I Have the Blues [Chatman, aka Memphis Slim, 1935]/ Can’t Get Out of This Mood [Loesser, McHugh, 1942]/ On the Street Where You Live [Lerner, Loewe, 1956]/ Until I Met You [Green, Wolf, 1955]/ When I’m Alone I Cry [Broadnax, Foreman, Vandenberg, 1963]/ If My Heart Could Sing [Broadnax, Vandenberg, 1963]/ Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You [Razaf, Redman, 1929]/ Maybe Today [Broadnax, Miller, Vandenberg, Anderson, 1963]/ Nice ‘n’ Easy [Bergman, Spence, 1960]/ I’m Falling For You [Hubert, Sanders, 1938]/ Discovered [Maris, Allen, Stevenson, 1964]/ End of a Beautiful Friendship [Kahn, Styne, 1956].
1964
Baby I Need Your Loving/ Call On Me [Holland-Dozier-Holland, subsq. “H-D-H”]. Recorded: (“Baby”) 10 April 1964 (tracking), 7 May 1964 (vocals); (“Call”) 10 May 1964. Released: 10 July 1964, Motown 1062 (Pop #11).
Gotta Say It, Gotta Tell It Like It Is [H-D-H]. Recorded: 23 December 1963 (tracking), 7 May 1964 (vocals). Released: Lost Without You, 25 May 2005.
Without the One You Love (Life’s Not Worthwhile)/ Love Has Gone [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Without”) 26 August 1964 (tracking), 7, 17, 22, 30 September, 2 October 1964 (vocals, overdubs); (“Love Has Gone”) 10 September 1964. Released: 4 November 1964, Motown 1069 (Pop #43).
1965
Ask the Lonely [Stevenson, Hunter]/ Where Did You Go [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Lonely”) 26 June 1964 (tracking), 12 August 1964 (vocals); (“Where”) 20 May 1964. Released: 5 January 1965, Motown 1073 (R&B #9, Pop #24).
Four Tops, Motown MT-622. Recorded: (“Left With a Broken Heart”) ca. 1963-mid 1964 (Tops overdubbed on a Marv Johnson recording); (“Amazing”) 4 June 1964 (tracking), 12 September 1964 (vocals); (“Tea House”) 1 July 1964; (“Souvenirs”) 16 July 1964 (tracking, orig. for Marv Johnson), 17 August 1964 (vocals); (“Don’t Turn Away”) 12 September 1964. First release: 21 January 1965 (R&B #1, Pop #63).
Baby I Need Your Loving/ Without the One You Love/ Where Did You Go/ Ask the Lonely/ Your Love Is Amazing [H-D-H]/ Sad Souvenirs [Hunter, Stevenson]// Don’t Turn Away [Hunter, Stevenson]/ Tea House in China Town [Hunter, Stevenson]/ Left With a Broken Heart [Johnson]/ Love Has Gone/ Call On Me.
[Other tracks of this period were later released on Lost Without You: Baby Baby Come Home (5 October 1964), Wonderful Baby (16 December 1964); Fourever: Just a Little Love (8 October 1964); and Motown Unreleased 1964: The Real You (3 October 1964); The Girl from Ipanema (16 December 1964).]
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) [H-D-H]/ Sad Souvenirs. Recorded: (“Can’t Help”) 31 March 1965 (tracking), 8 & 9 April 1965 (vocals). Released: 23 April 1965, Motown 1076 (R&B, Pop #1).
It’s the Same Old Song/ Your Love Is Amazing [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Same Old”) 13 May 1965 (tracking), 20 May 1965 (strings), 7 July 1965 (vocals), Released: 9 July 1965, Motown 1081 (R&B #2, Pop #5).
Something About You/ Darling I Hum Our Song [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Something”) 11 June 1965 (tracking), 8 & 28 July 1965 (vocals); (“Darling”) 2 June 1965 (tracking), 7 June, 22 July 1965 (vocals). Released: 21 October 1965, Motown 1084 (R&B #9, Pop #19).
I’m Falling for You. Recorded live with Billy Eckstine at the Apollo Theater, NYC, 14 August 1965. Released: Sept. 1999, Lost and Found.
Second Album, Motown M 634. Recorded: (“Just As Long” tracking) 6 March 1964, (“I Like Everything” tracking) 28 August 1964, (“Anything”) 17 November 1964, (“Stay”) 8 July 1965, (“Love Feels,” “I Like Everything” (vocals)) 22 July 1965, (“Fire,” “Grateful”) 28 July 1965, (“Just As Long” vocals) 3 August 1965, (“Since”) 4 August 1965, (“Helpless”) 13 September 1965. Released: ca. 15 November 1965 (R&B #3, Pop #20). [Reviewed in the 20 November 1965 Billboard; Apple Music lists 13 Nov 1965 (a Saturday) as the release date.]
Can’t Help Myself/ Love Feels Like Fire/ Is There Anything I Can Do [Robinson]/ Something About You/ Same Old Song/ Helpless// Just As Long As You Need Me/ Darling I Hum Our Song/ I Like Everything About You/ Since You’ve Been Gone/ Stay In My Lonely Arms/ I’m Grateful [Drake, Fowler, Holland]. [All tracks H-D-H unless otherwise noted.]
[Other 1965 tracks on Lost Without You: Sweeter As the Days Go By (7 April 1965), It’s a Lonely World Without Your Love (8 April 1965), Fantasy (4 July 1965); Fourever: No Good Without You (22 February 1965), My Heart is Calling You (ca. summer 1965); and Motown Unreleased 1965: Just Your Love (18 March 1965)]
1966
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over)/ Just As Long As You Need Me [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Shake”) 19 October 1965 (tracking), 4 November 1965 (strings), 6 January 1966 (vocals). Released: 2 February 1966, Motown 1090 (R&B #5, Pop #18).
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever [Hunter, Wonder]/ I Like Everything About You [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Loving”) 5 April 1965 (tracking, vocals), 14 April 1965 (strings). Released: 9 May 1966, Motown 1096 (R&B #12, Pop #45).
On Top, Motown 647. Recorded: (“Until You Love Someone”) 5 August 1965, (“Brenda”) 8 August 1965, (“No Love”) 24 August 1965, (“Then”) 30 November 1965, (“Match Maker”) 22 March 1966, (“Still”) 24 March 1966, (“Quiet Nights,” “Michelle”) 26 March 1966, (“Bluesette”) 31 March 1966, (“Feeling”) 5, 6, 14 April 1966. Released: 8 July 1966 (R&B #3, Pop #32).
I Got a Feeling [H-D-H]/ Brenda [E. Holland]/ Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever [Hunter, Wonder]/ Shake Me, Wake Me [H-D-H]/ Until You Love Someone [H-D-H]/ There’s No Love Left [H-D-H, Dean]/ Match Maker [Harnick, Bock]/ Michelle [Lennon, McCartney]/ In the Still of the Nite [Porter]/ Bluesette [Gimble, Thielmans]/ Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars [Jobim]/ Then [Robinson, Rogers, Moore].
[Outtakes from On Top sessions are on Lost and Found: Lost for Words (9 May 1966); Fourever: I’ll Pay Double (14 July 1966); and Motown Unreleased 1966: A Taste of Honey (22 March 1966) and I Wish You Love (2 May 1966).]
Reach Out I’ll Be There/ Until You Love Someone [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Reach”) 8 July 1966 (tracking), 21, 26 & 27 July 1966 (vocals). Released: 18 August 1966, Motown 1098 (R&B, Pop #1).
Four Tops Live!, Motown M-654. Recorded: 22 August 1966, Upper Deck of the Roostertail, 100 Marquette Drive, Detroit. Released: November 1966 (R&B #1, Pop #17).
Intro/ It’s the Same Old Song/ It’s Not Unusual [Mills, Reed]/ Baby I Need Your Loving/ Reach Out I’ll Be There/ I’ll Turn to Stone/ I Left My Heart in San Francisco/ You Can’t Hurry Love// Ask the Lonely/ Climb Every Mountain [Rodgers, Hammerstein]/ The Girl From Ipanema [Jobim, Gimbel, Moraes]/ If I Had a Hammer [Hays, Seeger]/ I Can’t Help Myself/ I Like Everything About You.
Standing in the Shadows of Love/ Since You’ve Been Gone [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Shadows”) 10 October 1966 (tracking), 19 October 1966 (vocals, at Studio B, Golden World), 27 October 1966 (strings), 6 November 1966 (last instrumental overdubs). Released: 28 November 1966, Motown 1102 (R&B #2, Pop #6).
1967
Bernadette/ I Got a Feeling [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Bernadette”) 14 December 1966 (tracking), 24-25 January 1967 (vocals, overdubs).* Released: 16 February 1967, Motown 1104 (R&B #3, Pop #4). (* per Fakir, his tenor part was sung by Eddie Kendricks, as Fakir was ill on the day of recording.)
On Broadway, Motown 657. Recorded: 17 October 1963 (“Nice”), ca. 1964 (“Make Someone”), 2 May 1966 (“Maria”), 3 May 1966 (“Climb”), 5 May 1966 (“Sound,” “Street,” “My Way”), 12 May 1966 (“What Did I Have”), 26 May 1966 (“Mame,” “Want to Be,” “Hello Broadway”), 7 July 1966 (“For Once”). Released: March 1967 (R&B #15, Pop #79).
Hello Broadway [Miller, O’Malley]/ Maria [Bernstein, Sondheim]/ Climb Ev’ry Mountain [Rodgers, Hammerstein]/ Mame [Herman]/ I Want to Be With You [Strouse, Adams]/ On the Street Where You Live [Lerner, Loewe]// The Sound of Music [Rodgers, Hammerstein]/ What Did I Have That I Don’t Have [Lerner, Lane]/ For Once In My Life [Murden, Miller]/ My Way [Jacques, Miller]/ Make Someone Happy [Green, Comden, Styne]/ Nice ‘n’ Easy [Bergman, Spence, Keith].
7-Rooms of Gloom/ I’ll Turn to Stone [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Rooms”) 23 January 1967. Released: 4 May 1967, Motown 1110 (R&B #10, Pop #14).
Reach Out, Motown 660. Recorded: (“What Else”) 2 August 1966, (“Carpenter”) 26 October 1966, (“Wonderful”) 28 October 1966, (“Clarksville”) 1 December 1966, (“Renee,” “Believer”) 4 January 1967, (“Cherish”) 29 March 1967. Released: July 1967 (R&B #3, Pop #11).
Reach Out, I’ll Be There/ Walk Away Renee [Brown]/ 7-Rooms of Gloom/ If I Were a Carpenter [Hardin]/ Last Train to Clarksville [Boyce, Hart]/ I’m a Believer [Diamond]/ Standing in the Shadows of Love/ Bernadette/ Cherish [Kirkman]/ Wonderful Baby [Robinson]/ What Else Is There to Do (But Think About You) [Wonder, Paul, Broadnax].
You Keep Running Away/ If You Don’t Want My Love [H-D-H]. Recorded: (“Running Away”) 15, 29 June 1967; (“Don’t Want My Love”) 30 November 1966 (tracking), 8 March 1967 (backing vocals), 4 August 1967 (Stubbs vocal). Released: 29 August 1967, Motown 1113 (R&B #7, Pop #19).
1968
Walk Away Renee/ Your Love Is Wonderful [Hunter, Goga, Demell]. Recorded: (“Love”) 11 December 1967. First release: 18 January 1968, Motown 1119 (R&B #15, Pop #14).
If I Were a Carpenter/ Wonderful Baby. First release: 11 April 1968, Motown 1124 (R&B #17, Pop #20).
Yesterday’s Dreams [Sawyer, Bullock, Hunter, Goga]/ For Once In My Life. Recorded: (“Dreams”) track completed 13 June 1968. First release: 27 June 1968, Motown 1127 (R&B #31, Pop #49).
Yesterday’s Dreams, Motown 669. Recorded: 14 July 1966 (“Once”), 8 March 1967 (“Sweetheart”), 10 May 1967 (“Place”), 28 June 1967 (“Remember”), 26 February 1968 (“Phoenix”), 21 March 1968 (“Daydream”), 27 March 1968 (“Never”), 10 April 1968 (“Sunny”), 27 April 1968 (“Can’t Seem”), 29 May 1968 (“Strong Love”). Released: August 1968 (R&B #7, Pop #91).
Yesterday’s Dreams [Sawyer, Bullock, Hunter, Goga]/ Can’t Seem to Get You Out of My Mind [Ashford, Simpson]/ I’m in a Different World [H-D-H]/ We’ve Got a Strong Love (On Our Side) [Goga, Hunter, Sawyer]/ By the Time I Get to Phoenix [Webb]/ Remember When [DeMell, Goga, Hunter]/ Sunny [Hebb]/ Never My Love [Addrisi]/ Daydream Believer [Stewart]/ Once Upon a Time [Adams, Strouse]/ The Sweetheart Tree [Mancini, Mercer]/ A Place In the Sun [Miller, Wells].
[A number of Yesterday’s Dreams-era outtakes were issued on Lost Without You: Lonely Lover (H-D-H, 7 September 1967), Just One Last Look (H-D-H, 4 October 1967), I’m So Afraid of Losing You (17 January 1968), Sweet Was the Love (17 January 1968), and Woman Woman (28 March 1968); on Fourever (billed as Levi and the Vandellas) Oh I’ve Been Blessed (15 June 1968) and Motown Unreleased 1968 Part 2: Send Her To Me]
I’m In a Different World [H-D-H]/ Remember When [Hunter, DeMell, Goga]. Recorded: (“Different World”) 7 November 1967 (tracking), 17 November 1967 (horns, strings), 13 December 1967 (backing vocals), 15, 16 April 1968 (lead vocal); (“Remember”) 10 June 1967 (tracking), 26-28 June 1967 (lead, backing vocals, overdubs). Released: 19 September 1968, Motown 1132 (R&B #23, Pop #51).
1969
What Is a Man [Bristol, McNeil]/ Don’t Bring Back Memories [Singleton]. Recorded: (“Man”) 10 December 1968 (tracking), 20-21 December 1968 (horns, strings), 20 January 1969 (vocal); (“Memories”) completed 3 September 1968. Released: 10 April 1969, Motown 1147 (Pop #53).
Four Tops Now!, Motown 675. Recorded Motown Detroit and LA: 18 March 1968 (“Wish I Didn’t”), 30 October 1968 (“Key”), 19 November 1968 (“Opportunity”), 21 November 1968 (“MacArthur”), 16 January 1969 (“Eleanor”), 18 January 1969 (“Do What”), 21 January 1969 (“Fool”), 5 February 1969 (“Don’t Let”), 27 February 1969 (“Apples”), 13 March 1969 (“My Path”). Released: 28 May 1969 (R&B #18, Pop #64).
The Key [Miner]/ What Is a Man [McNeil, Bristol]/ My Past Just Crossed My Future [Bradford, Miner]/ Don’t Let Him Take Your Love From Me [Whitfield, Strong]/ Eleanor Rigby [Lennon, McCartney]/ Little Green Apples [Russell]// Do What You Gotta Do [Webb]/ MacArthur Park [Webb]/ Don’t Bring Back Memories [Singleton]/ Wish I Didn’t Love You So [Dean, Witherspoon]/ Opportunity Knock (for Me) [Cleveland, Johnson, Moore, Robinson]/ The Fool on the Hill [Lennon, McCartney].
[Many Four Tops Now-era outtakes appear on Lost Without You: Same-O Same-O (22 August 1968), Old Fashioned Men (29 August 1968), Clip My Wings (6 September 1968), I Can’t Hold Back (6 September 1968), No Time (12 September 1968), You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down (11 November 1968), Never Say No (16 January 1969), Have a Little Faith (7 February 1969), My Fatherless Son (25 March 1969), I Can’t Escape Your Memory (11 April 1969), My Love Keeps on Growing (14 May 1969)]
Don’t Let Him Take Your Love From Me/ The Key. Released: 6 November 1969, Motown 1159 (R&B #25, Pop #45).
Soul Spin, Motown 695. Recorded: (“Nothing”) 5 March 1968, (“California”) 6 November 1968, (“Look of Love,” “This Guy’s”) 21 November 1968, (“Pool of Red”) 15 January 1969, (“Got to Get You”) 21 January 1969, (“Honey”) 24 January 1969, (“Light My Fire”) 27 February 1969, (“Stop the World”) 11 April 1969, (“Window”) 15 May 1969, (“Barbara’s Boy”) 3 August 1969; first release: November 1969 (R&B #30, Pop #163).
Look Out Your Window [Cleveland, Wilson]/ Barbara’s Boy [Hinton, Sawyer]/ Lost in a Pool of Red [Verdi, Sawyer]/ Got to Get You Into My Life [Lennon, McCartney]/ Stop the World [Gorman, Goga, Hunter]/ Nothing [Cleveland, Robinson]// This Guy’s In Love With You [Bacharach, David]/ Light My Fire [Morrison, Krieger, Manzarek, Densmore]/ Honey [Russell]/ The Look of Love [Bacharach, David]/ California Dreaming [Phillips].
[Soul Spin-and Still Water-era outtakes appear on Lost Without You: Deep in the Pit of Your Love (6 July 1969), Rocks in My Bed (23 July 1969), Don’t You Think You Owe Me Something (Ashford & Simpson; 23 August 1969), Starving for Your Love (14 September 1969), These Are the Questions (26 September 1969), Which Way Is the Sky (11 November 1969), You’re My Kind of Woman (6 December 1969)]
1970
It’s All in the Game [Dawes, Sigman]/ Love Is the Answer [Robinson, Wakefield, Wilson]. Recorded: (“Game”) 14-15 October 1969 (tracking), 12 November 1969 (strings), 19, 29 November 1969 (Stubbs vocal), 15 December 1969 (backing vocals); (“Answer”) 24 October 1969 (tracking), 28 November 1969 (lead vocal), 31 December 1969 (horns), 8 January 1970 (backing vocals, overdubs), 24 January 1970 (strings). Released: 21 March 1970, Motown 1164 (R&B #6, Pop #24).
Still Waters Run Deep, Motown 704. Recorded: 15 September 1969 (“LA”), 16 December 1969 (“Reflections”), 2 January 1970 (“Everybody’s,” “Mirror”), 8 January 1970 (“Elusive”), 9 January 1970 (“Bring Me,” “Still Water” (see below)). Released: March 1970 (R&B #3, Pop #21).
Still Water (Love) [Robinson, Wilson]/ Reflections [H-D-H]/ It’s All in the Game [Dawes, Sigman]/ Everybody’s Talkin’ [Neil]/ Love Is the Answer [Robinson, Wilson, Wakefield]// I Wish I Was Your Mirror [Sawyer, Wilson]/ Elusive Butterfly [Lind]/ Bring Me Together [Wakefield, Wilson]/ L.A. (My Town) [Matthews]/ Still Water (Peace) [Robinson, Wilson].
Still Water (Love)/ Still Water (Peace) [Robinson, Wilson]. Recorded: 24 October 1969 (tracking for both sides), 12 November 1969 (horns for both), 8 December 1969 (strings, “Peace”), 16 December 1969 (lead vocal, “Love”), 17 December 1969 (backing vocals, “Love,””Peace”), 19 December 1969 (lead vocal, “Peace”), 2 January 1970 (new lead vocal track, “Love”), 9 January 1970 (last overdubs). Released: 6 August 1970, Motown 1170 (R&B #4, Pop #11).
Changing Times, Motown MS 721. Recorded: ca. June; 2, 17-18, 20, 24, 27-30 July; early August 1970. Released: September 1970 (R&B #20, Pop #109).
In These Changing Times [Wilson, Sawyer]/ Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life) [Sawyer, Jones]/ Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head [Bacharach, David]/ Right Before My Eyes [Wilson, Sawyer]/ I Almost Had Her (But She Got Away) [DiMirco]// Try to Remember [Schmidt, Jones]/ Something’s Tearing at the Edges of Time [Lucas]/ Sing a Song of Yesterday [Wilson, Sawyer, Samoht]/ The Long and Winding Road—In These Changing Times [Lennon, McCartney].
[Changing Times era outtakes: Magic Mary (23 April 1970), Lost Without You (8 May 1970), Where Do I Go From Here (15 May 1970), Ballad To: The One I Love (15, 18-19, 26, 28 May 1970), Baby Dumplin’ (Johnson, Payton; 19 June 1970). Lost Without You.]
The Magnificent 7 [with The Supremes], Motown MS 717. Recorded: ca. spring-summer 1970. Released: September 1970 (R&B #15, Pop #116).
Knock on My Door [Hinton, Jerome]/ For Your Love [Townsend]/ Without the One You Love [H-D-H]/ Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) [Ashford, Simpson]/ Stoned Soul Picnic [Nyro]/ Baby [Otis, Stein]// River Deep-Mountain High [Barry, Greenwich, Spector]/ Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing [Ashford, Simpson]/ Everyday People [Stewart]/ It’s Got to Be a Miracle (This Thing Called Love) [Bullock, Moy, Stevenson]/ Taste of Honey [Marlow, Scott]/ Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music [Coleman, Drapkin].
[with The Supremes] River Deep-Mountain High/ Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music. Released: 5 November 1970, Motown 1173 (R&B #7, Pop #14).
Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)/ I Wish I Were Your Mirror. Released: 28 December 1970, Motown 1175 (R&B #9, Pop #40).
1971
You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart (with The Supremes)[Zesses, Fekaris]/ I’m Glad About It [Ashford, Simpson]. Recorded: (“Gotta Have Love”) (vocals, tracking) 11 January 1971, (overdubs) 14 January 1971, (strings) 25 January 1971, (horns) 10 February 1971; (“Glad About It”) (vocals, tracking) 12 January 1971, (overdubs) 13 January 1971, (strings, horns) 29-30 January 1971. Released: 11 May 1971, Motown 1181 (R&B #41, Pop #55).
The Return of the Magnificent Seven [with The Supremes], Motown MS 736. Released: June 1971 (R&B #18, Pop #154).
You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart/ I Wonder Where We’re Going/ Call Me/ One More Bridge to Cross/ If You Could See Me Now/ I’ll Try Not To Cry/ I’m Glad About It/ Let’s Make Love Now/ Where Would I Be Without You Baby/ What Do You Have to Do (to Stay on the Right Side of Love).
In These Changing Times/ Right Before My Eyes. Recorded: [single version of “Changing Times”] (tracking) 17 July 1970, (backing vocals) 27 July 1970, (horns, strings) 29 July, 1 August 1970, (lead & backing vocals) 12 March 1971. Released: 27 May 1971, Motown 1185 (R&B #28, Pop #70).
MacArthur Park (Part II)/ MacArthur Park (Part I). Released: 10 August 1971, Motown 1189 (R&B #27, Pop #38).
A Simple Game [Pinder]/ You Stole My Love [Clarke, Hayward [as “Gurron”]. Recorded: Wessex Studios, London, 5 May 1970. With Mike Pinder: Mellotron, piano; Justin Hayward: acoustic guitar, electric guitar; John Lodge: bass; Graeme Edge: drums; Ray Thomas: percussion; uncredited musicians: violins, violas, celli (arranged: Arthur Greenslade). Produced: Tony Clarke. Released: (Tamla Motown TMG 785) 10 September 1971 (UK #3); 4 January 1972, Motown 1196 with “L.A.” as B-side (R&B #34, Pop #90).
So Deep Within You [Pinder]. Recorded: Wessex Studios, London, 5 May 1970. First release: February 1973, The Motown Sound Volume One, Tamla Motown STML11217 [UK-only].
Dynamite [with The Supremes], Motown 745L. Recorded: Chicago, June-July 1971. Released: December 1971 (R&B #21, Pop #160).
It’s Impossible [Manzanero, Wayne]/ The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall) [Marcellino]/ Hello Stranger [Lewis]/ Love the One You’re With [Stills]/ Good Lovin’ Ain’t Easy to Come By [Ashford, Simpson]// Melodie [Richards, Marcellino, Larson]/ If [Gates]/ If I Could Build My Whole World Around You [Fuqua, Bristol, Bullock]/ Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream [Franklin, White]/ Don’t You Love Me Just a Little, Honey [Knight, Fuqua, Bristol, Bullock].
(A number of other Tops/Supremes tracks from this period (mostly recorded summer 1971) were never released until they appeared on Magnificent: The Supremes Complete Studio Duets in 2009.)
1972
Nature Planned It, Motown M 748L. Recorded, Detroit, LA: 27 May 1971 (“Can’t Quit,” “Nature”), 24-25 June 1971 (“Can’t Quit,” “Nature”), 29-30 June 1971 (“Bumpy Road,” “Nature”), 14, 20, 27 July 1971 (“Can’t Quit,” “Nature,” “Forget You”), 5 October 1971 (“Forget Him”), 16 December 1971 (“Your Man”), 21 December 1971 (“Nature”), 8 January 1972 (“Walk With Me”), 14 January 1972 (“Can’t Quit,” “Understanding Woman”); ca. January-February 1972 (“Medley,” “Let Me,” “Never Change”). Released: 17 April 1972 (R&B #4, Pop #50).
I Am Your Man [Ashford, Simpson]/ (It’s the Way) Nature Planned It [Wilson, Sawyer]/ I’ll Never Change [Wakefield, Caston]/ She’s an Understanding Woman [Hutch]/ I Can’t Quit Your Love [Wakefield, Caston]/ Walk With Me, Talk With Me, Darling [McMurry, Dean, Glover]// Medley: Hey Man [Wilson, Payton, Caston, Benson] We Got To Get You a Woman [Rundgren]/ You Got to Forget Him Darling [Jones, Bristol, Brown]/ If You Let Me [Wilson]/ Happy (Is a Bumpy Road) [Wilson, Sawyer]/ How Will I Forget You [Cleveland, Payton, Green, Benson].
I Can’t Quit Your Love/ Happy (Is a Bumpy Road). Released: 20 April 1972, Motown 1198.
(It’s the Way) Nature Planned It/ I’ll Never Change. Released: 1 August 1972, Motown 1210 (R&B #8, Pop #53).
Keeper of the Castle/ Jubilee with Soul. Released: 13 October 1972, Dunhill 4330 (R&B #7, Pop #10).
Keeper of the Castle, Dunhill 50129. Recorded: ca. June-September 1972, ABC Recording Studios, LA. Released: November 1972 (R&B #6, Pop #33).
Keeper of the Castle/ Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got)/ Put a Little Love Away/ Turn on the Light of Your Love [Fakir, Perry, Stubbs, Benson]/ When Tonight Meets Tomorrow [Cleveland, Perry, Benson]/ Love Music// Remember What I Told You to Forget/ (I Think I Must Be) Dreaming/ The Good Lord Knows [Perry, Benson]/ Jubilee With Soul [V & R Benson]/ Love Makes You Human [Perry, V & R Benson]/ Keeper of the Castle (Reprise). [All songs Potter-Lambert unless otherwise noted.]
1973
Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got)/ The Good Lord Knows. Released: 15 January 1973, Dunhill 4339 (R&B #2, Pop #4).
Are You Man Enough/ Peace of Mind. Released: 24 May 1973, Dunhill 4354 (R&B #2, Pop #15).
Main Street People, Dunhill 50144. Recorded: ca. spring-summer 1973, ABC Studios, LA. Released: September 1973 (R&B #8, Pop #66).
Main Street People (Intro)/ I Just Can’t Get You Out of My Mind/ It Won’t Be the First Time/ Sweet Understanding Love [Hunter, V & R Benson]/ Am I My Brother’s Keeper [Perry, V & R Benson]/ Are You Man Enough// Whenever There’s Blue/ Too Little, Too Late/ Peace of Mind [Fakir, Davis, Benson]/ One Woman Man [Perry, Townshend]/ Main Street People. [All songs Lambert-Potter unless otherwise noted; Payton: lead vocals on “Main Street People (Intro)” and “Am I My Brother’s Keeper.”]
Sweet Understanding Love/ Main Street People. Released: September 1973, Dunhill 4366 (R&B #10, Pop #33).
I Just Can’t Get You Out of My Mind/ Am I My Brother’s Keeper. Released: 27 December 1973, Dunhill 4377 (R&B #18, Pop #62).
1974
One Chain Don’t Make No Prison/ Turn on the Light of Your Love. Released: 29 March 1974, Dunhill 4386 (R&B #3, Pop #41).
Meeting of the Minds, Dunhill DSD-50166. Recorded: ca. late 1973, early 1974 ABC Studios, LA. Released: April 1974 (R&B #22, Pop #118).
One Chain Don’t Make No Prison/ Midnight Flower [Jackson, R. Dozier]/ The Well Is Dry/ Love Ain’t Easy to Come By/ No Sad Songs [Leonard, Perry, Foster]// Right On Brother/ Tell Me Love Me [Cleveland, Payton]/ All My Love [Benson]/ I Found the Spirit [Benson]/ Meeting of the Minds. [Lambert-Potter unless otherwise noted.]
Midnight Flower/ All My Love. Released: July 1974, Dunhill 15005 (R&B #5, Pop #55).
Live & In Concert, ABC/Dunhill DSD-50188. Recorded: undocumented concerts, ca. spring-summer 1974. Released: October 1974 (R&B #29, Pop #92).
Intro-Countdown/ Are You Man Enough/ Love Ain’t Easy To Come By/ Medley: Love Music–Reach Out I’ll Be There–Standing in the Shadows of Love/ Midnight Flower/ Baby I Need Your Loving// Keeper of the Castle/ I Am Your Man/ Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got)/ One Chain Don’t Make No Prison/ I Can’t Help Myself.
1975
Seven Lonely Nights/ I Can’t Hold On Much Longer. Released: April 1975, ABC 12096 (R&B #13, Pop #71).
Night Lights Harmony, ABC AD-862. Recorded: ca. late 1974, early 1975, ABC Recording Studios. First release: June 1975 (R&B #24, Pop #148).
Seven Lonely Nights [Baily, Williams, Clark]/ Mama You’re All Right With Me [Lambert, Potter]/ Is This the Price? [Richards]/ We All Gotta Stick Together [Payton, Knight, Bridges, Beasley]/ I’ve Got What You Need [Wilson, Byrd, Huggins]// I Can’t Hold On Much Longer [Payton, Thomas, Benson, Bridges]/ (It Would Almost) Drive Me Out of My Mind [Payton, Bridges, Beasley]/ I’m Glad You Walked Into My Life (Dedicated to Stevie) [Payton, Lee, Askey]/ Let Me Know the Truth [Carter].
We All Gotta Stick Together/ Drive Me Out of My Mind. Released: 6 August 1975, ABC 12123 (R&B #17, Pop #97).
1976
Catfish/ Look at My Baby. Released: August 1976, ABC 12214 (R&B #7, Pop #71).
Catfish, ABC AB968. Recorded: ca. early 1976, United Sound Systems, Detroit; ABC Studios. Released: September 1976 (R&B #26, Pop #124).
Catfish [Bridges, Payton, Farrow]/ Feel Free [McNeil, Bridges, Payton]/ You Can’t Hold Back on Love [Payton]/ I Know You Like It [Bridges, Smith, Benson]// Strung Out for Your Love [Paul, Cummings, Benson]/ Love Don’t Come Easy [Bridges, Payton, Farrow]/ Disco Daddy [Coles]/ Look at My Baby [V & R Benson].
Feel Free/ You Know You Like It. Released: December 1976, ABC 12236 (R&B #29).
1977
Strung Out For Your Love/ You Can’t Hold Back On Love. Released: May 1977, AB-12267.
The Show Must Go On, ABC AB1014. Recorded: ca. spring 1977 (tracks possibly from earlier sessions as well), United Sound, Pro Sound (Detroit); ABC Studios. Released: October 1977 (R&B #54, Pop #68).
The Show Must Go On [Bridges, Payton]/ I Can’t Live Without You [Benson, McNeir]/ Save It For a Rainy Day [Bishop]/ Runnin’ From Your Love [Bridges, Payton]// See the Real Me [Ridley]/ Love Is a Joy [Smith, Bridges, Payton, Franklin]/ You’ll Never Find a Better Man [Benson, McNeir]/ Candy [Bridges, Knight].
For Your Love [Gouldman]/ You’ll Never Find a Better Man. Released: ca. December 1977, as a limited edition UK-only 12″ single.
1978
At the Top, ABC AA-1092. Recorded: Sigma Sound, Philadelphia. Released: December 1978 (R&B #73, Pop #90).
H.E.L.P./ Bits and Pieces [Gray, Green, Harris]/ Seclusion/ Put On the News// This House/ Just In Time/ Inside a Brokenhearted Man [Turner, Akines, Bellman, Drayton]/ When Your Dreams Take Wings and Fly [Gray, Green, Harris]. [All songs Harris, Tyson unless otherwise noted.]
H.E.L.P./ Inside a Brokenhearted Man. Released: November 1978, AB-12427.
1981
When She Was My Girl [Gottlieb, Blatt]/ Something to Remember [Wolfert, Linzer]. Released: August 1981, Casablanca NB 2338 (R&B #1, Pop #11).
Tonight!, Casablanca NBLP 7528. Recorded: ca. spring-summer 1981 (tracking) Cherokee Studios, LA; (vocals, overdubs) RCA Studios, NYC. Released: 17 August 1981 (R&B #5, Pop #37).
When She Was My Girl [Gottlieb, Blatte]/ Don’t Walk Away [Knight]/ Tonight I’m Gonna Love You All Over [Williams, Ferguson]/ Who’s Right Who’s Wrong [Loggins, Page]// Let Me Set You Free [Wolfert, Linzer]/ From a Distance [Gaffney]/ Something to Remember [Wolfert, Linzer]/ All I Do [Paul, Broadnax, Wonder]/ I’ll Never Leave You Again [Allen, Klugh, Bridges, Martin, Payton].
Let Me Set You Free/ From a Distance. Released: November 1981, Casablanca NB 2344 (R&B #71).
1982
Tonight I’m Going to Love You All Over/ I’ll Never Ever Leave You Again. Released: January 1982, Casablanca NB 2345 (R&B #32).
Back to School Again/ Rock-a-Hula-Luau. Released: June 1982, RSO 1069 (Pop #71).
One More Mountain, Casablanca 7266. Recorded: ca. late 1981-spring 1982 (tracking and horns) Cherokee Recording Studios, LA; (vocals) RCA Recording Studios, NYC; (strings) Olympic Studios, London; (overdubs) Hollywood Sound; The House of Music (West Orange, NJ). Released: 9 August 1982 (R&B #45).
Sad Hearts [Gottlieb, Blatte]/ One More Mountain to Climb [Wolfert, Linzer]/ Givin’ It Up [Gottlieb, Blatte]/ I Believe in You and Me [Wolfert, Linzer]// I’m the One [Slate, Henley]/ Keep on Lightin’ My Fire [Benson, McNeir]/ Nobody’s Gonna Love You Like I Do [J & L Stubbs, Payton]/ Dream On [Leib, Keller]/ Whatever It Is [Setser, Michael, Gray].
Sad Hearts/ I Believe in You and Me, Casablanca NB 2353 (R&B #40, Pop #84).
1983
I Just Can’t Walk Away/ Hang. Released: 20 September 1983, Motown 1706 (R&B #36, Pop #71).
Back Where I Belong, Motown ML 6066. Produced: (side 1) Holland-Dozier-Holland; (“What Have We”) Willie Hutch; (“Masquerade”) Berry Gordy, Gil Askey; (“Body and Soul,” “Hang”) Marilyn McLeod, Mel Bolton. Released: 6 October 1983 (R&B #47).
Make Yourself Right at Home/ I Just Can’t Walk Away/ Sail On/ Back Where I Belong [all H-D-H]// What Have We Got to Lose (Aretha Franklin, lead voc.) [Gordy, Hutch]/ The Masquerade Is Over [Magidson, Wrubel]/ Body and Soul [Bolton, McLeod]/ Hang [Bolton, McLeod].
1985
Sexy Ways/ Body and Soul. Released: 30 April 1985, Motown 1790 (R&B #21).
Magic, Motown ML 6130. Recorded: It’s The Song Music Studio, Chatsworth, CA & Sound Suite Studio, Detroit (“Magic,” “Sexy Ways”), Motown/Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (“Over,” “Again”) The Complex, Los Angeles (“Easier”), Right Track Recording & Sigma Sound Studios, NYC (“Don’t Turn,” “Again,” “Tomorrow”). Released: ca. 15 June 1985 (R&B #33, Pop #140).
I Can Feel the Magic [Hutch]/ Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over [Hutch]/ Sexy Ways [Johns, Hutch]/ Easier Said than Done [Medina, Bokowski, Ashby]// Don’t Turn Away [Lucas]/ I’m Ready for Love [H-D-H]/ Again [Bridges, Roundtree, Payton]/ Maybe Tomorrow [Del Barrio, Seaman]/ Remember Me [Ashford, Simpson].
Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over/ I’m Ready For Love. Released: September 1985, Motown 1811.
1986
Hot Nights/ Again. Released: June 1986, Motown 1854 (R&B #50, Pop #68).
[Outtake from the Hot Nights sessions: The Four of Us (Payton)].
1988
Indestructible/ Are You With Me. Released: August 1988, Arista AS1-9706 (R&B #57, Pop #35).
Indestructible, Arista AL 8492. Recorded: ca. 1986-1987, Le Gonks West, Monkey Dust Studios, Tarpan Studios, Soundworks Recording Studios (Las Vegas), Lion Share Recording Studios, United Sound Systems, Ocean Way Recording, Studio D (Sausalito), West Lake Audio Studios. Released: 25 August 1988 (R&B #66, Pop #149).
Indestructible [Sandstrom, Price]/ Change of Heart [Kelly]/ If Ever a Love There Was [Oland, Cerney]/ The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine [Hammond, Warren]/ Next Time [Lowen, Peterkin]// Loco in Acapulco [Dozier, Collins]/ Are You With Me [Lewis, Duke, Hopper]/ I’m Only Wounded [Hammond, Warren]/ When You Dance [Cohen, Michael Walden]/ Let’s Jam [Giles, Bogard].
Loco in Acapulco/ Change of Heart. Released: 14 November 1988, Arista 111 850 (UK #7). (Released in 1989 in the US, with the sides reversed; failed to chart.)
A note on Motown-era recording dates: unless otherwise specified, the recording date associated with a track is its date of completion (final overdubs, usually). Information from the Complete Motown Singles series and, in particular, from Keith Hughes’ essential Don’t Forget the Motor City.
64 Quartets 