Last night I played Nightshift, a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, both of whom died in 1984. I’ve played most of Marvin Gaye’s songs at least once in the nearly 3 years I’ve been doing these music posts, but have only played one by Jackie Wilson, (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher. So tonight, I’d like to remedy that by playing Jackie’s second most popular song, Lonely Teardrops.
Released in 1959, this was written by the Detroit songwriting team who wrote Wilson’s first several hits – the duo of Tyran Carlo (the pen name of Wilson’s cousin Roquel Davis) and a pre-Motown Berry Gordy Jr., along with Gwen Gordy Fuqua, one of Berry Gordy’s four sisters. They co-wrote eight other songs for Wilson. At the time, Gordy was a struggling songwriter, but this song – his first Top-10 hit as a songwriter – gave him the confidence to rent a building in Detroit and start the Tamla label, which would become Motown.
Many artists have covered this, including Jose Feliciano, teen idol pop singer Brian Hyland and Michael Jackson. I didn’t listen to any of the other versions, for I’m quite satisfied with the original in this case (plus I’m tired and longing for my bed).
In September 1975, while performing at the Latin Casino in New Jersey, Wilson collapsed from a heart attack and a stroke right in the middle of this song. He never recovered and remained in a coma for eight more years; he was hospitalized until his death on January 21, 1984 (age 49). In tragic irony, the last words he sung before collapsing were “My heart is crying.” The audience at first thought that his fall was part of the act and they started applauding and cheering. It became evident that something was wrong when about half a minute later, he hadn’t moved. The excitement instantly turned into confusion and shock as attempts to revive Jackie on the stage were to no avail.
As far as I can tell, the song only charted in the U.S. (#7), and I’m not sure why, unless Jackie Wilson was just still too much an unknown.
Lonely Teardrops Jackie Wilson
My heart is crying, crying Lonely teardrops My pillow’s never dry of lonely teardrops Come home, come home Just say you will, say you will (Say you will) say you will (say you will) Hey, hey (say you will) My heart is crying, crying
Lonely teardrops My pillow’s never dry of lonely teardrops Come home, come home Just say you will, say you will (Say you will) say you will, (say you will) Hey, hey (say you will)
Just give me another chance for our romance Come on and tell me that one day you’ll return ‘Cause, every day that you’ve been gone away You know my heart does nothing but burn, crying
Lonely teardrops My pillow’s never dry of lonely teardrops Come home, come home Just say you will, say you will (Say you will) say you will, (say you will) Hey, hey (say you will) Say it right now, baby (Say you will) come on, come on (Say you will) say that you Say it right now, baby (Say you will) come on, come on (Say you will) hey come on
Yes, yes … I played this one just over a year ago … September 2019. But, I had a request of sorts for it, and as I listened to it again, I really wanted to play it again! I do love this one, so please bear with me …
This song, released in 1985, is a tribute to singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984. Gaye was a Motown star known for love songs like Let’s Get It On and Sexual Healing. Wilson was an R&B singer known for his stirring performances and hits like Lonely Teardrops. Wilson was 49 when he died; Gaye was 44. Both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The songwriter Franne Golde was brought in to help with the lyrics. She had recently seen the 1982 movie Night Shift (starring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton; directed by Ron Howard), which gave her the idea for the title. This is the Commodores’ only hit since Lionel Richie left the band in 1982. J.D. Nicholas, a former backup singer for Diana Ross, was brought in to replace Richie. When this song was performed on Motown Returns to the Apollo in the early ’80s, more verses were added to honor other Motown legends who had passed on.
Nightshift Commodores
Marvin, he was a friend of mine
And he could sing a song
His heart in every line
Marvin sang of the joy and pain
He opened up our minds
And I still can hear him say
Aw talk to me so you can see
What’s going on
Say you will sing your songs
Forevermore (evermore)
Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift
You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift
Jackie (Jackie), hey what’you doing now
It seems like yesterday
When we were working out
Jackie (Jackie, oh) you set
The world on fire
You came and gifted us
Your love it lifted us
Higher and higher
Keep it up and
We’ll be there
At your side
Oh say you will sing
Your songs forevermore (evermore)
Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift
Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift
Gonna miss your sweet voice
That soulful voice
On the nightshift
We all remember you
Ooh the songs are coming through
At the end of a long day
It’s gonna be okay
On the nightshift
You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift
I had several songs on my mental playlist for tonight’s music (this morning’s, for you), but it turned out I had played every single one of them within the past year! I must have a rather limited repertoire these days. So, this one is a redux, but I haven’t played it since November 2018, so almost two years. And, it’s worth hearing again, at least I think it is.
A bit of background:
In the winter of 1981, Marvin Gaye had relocated to Ostend, Belgium, following the end of a European tour amid financial difficulties with the Internal Revenue Service and the end of his second marriage. Struggling with depression and cocaine addiction, Gaye had agreed to move to Ostend on the advice of longtime resident Freddy Cousaert. While in Ostend, Gaye began to curb his drug use and recover from his depression, partaking in Ostend’s beaches. Gaye also began cutting ties with his longtime recording label, Motown, following the release of In Our Lifetime, an album the musician did not declare to be finished. He declared that he would never record with the label ever again after he accused the label of betraying his creativity.
Sexual Healing reached number one on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, where it stayed for a record ten weeks before being replaced by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s duet, “The Girl Is Mine”. The success was similar on the Hot 100 where it peaked at number three. This peak at number three made Gaye the second artist in the history of the Hot 100 chart (after Aretha Franklin) to have a hit song peak at each position from one to ten on the chart.
When Gaye left Belgium and toured to support the Midnight Love album, he started using drugs again and became mentally unstable. He moved in with his parents and was shot and killed by his father after an argument on April 1, 1984 – the day before his 45th birthday, which I have mentioned before.
Now sit back and like you some Marvin Gaye, okay?
Sexual Healing Marvin Gaye
Oh, baby now let’s get down tonight Ooh baby, let’s get down tonight
Baby Baby let’s get down tonight Ooh
Baby, I’m hot just like an oven Ooh Baby now let’s get down tonight
Baby, I’m hot just like an oven I need some lovin’ And baby, I can’t hold it much longer It’s getting stronger and stronger
And when I get that feeling I want sexual healing Sexual healing, oh baby Makes me feel so fine
Helps to relieve my mind Sexual healing baby, is good for me Sexual healing is something that’s good for me
Baby, I’m hot just like an oven I need some lovin’ And baby, I can’t hold it much longer It’s getting stronger and stronger
Baby, I got sick this mornin’ A sea was stormin’ inside of me Baby, I think I’m capsizin’ The waves are risin’ and risin’
And when I get that feeling I want sexual healing Sexual healing is good for me Makes me feel so fine, it’s such a rush Helps to relieve the mind, and it’s good for us
Sexual healing, baby, it’s good for me Sexual healing is something that’s good for me
You’re my medicine, open up and let me in Darling, you’re so great, I can’t wait for you to operate You’re my medicine, open up and let me in Darling, you’re so great, I can’t wait for you to operate
Baby, open up and let me in It’s getting stronger and stronger Baby, open up and let me in I can’t wait for you to operate I can’t wait for you to operate, baby I can’t wait for you to operate Baby, open up and let me in I can’t for you to operate
They say that “music hath charms to soothe the savage beast”, and since there seems to be a savage beast affecting my mood tonight, I went in search of some music to soothe it … hopefully to knock it out for a few days!
This was written by Smokey Robinson, who was the main songwriter for The Temptations. In the Motown stable, The Temptations were considered the premier group, and there was a lot of competition among the songwriters to have their compositions recorded by the band. When this song underperformed on the charts, Motown chief Berry Gordy gave the next Temptations single, Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, to Norman Whitfield, and he became their primary writer.
Get Ready went to #1 on the R&B charts for a week, but made just #29 on the Hot 100.
Rare Earth recorded an unusual version of this song that stretched over 21 minutes and took up the entire second side of their first Motown album, which was issued in the fall of 1969. This version was based on Rare Earth’s live version of the song, where every member of the band would get a solo. In 1970, Motown released a 3-minute edit as a single, which went to #4. The song also did well on R&B stations, even though some DJs refused to play it when they found out the group wasn’t black – they were one of the first white groups signed to Motown.
Ella Fitzgerald did a cover of this song in 1969 — her last U.S. chart record.
Get Ready The Temptations
I never met a girl who makes me feel the way that you do
(You’re alright)
Whenever I’m asked who makes my dreams real
I say that you do
(You’re outta sight)
So fee fi fo fum
Look out baby ’cause here I come
And I’m bringing you a love that’s true so get ready
So get ready
I’m gonna try to make you love me too, so get ready
So get ready here I come
Get ready, ’cause here I come
I’m on my way
Get ready, ’cause here I come
If you wanna play hide and seek with love let me remind you
(It’s alright)
The loving you’re gonna miss and the time it takes to find you
(It’s outta sight)
So fiddle-lee-dee fiddle-lee-dum
Look out baby ’cause here I come
And I’m bringing you a love that’s true so get ready
So get ready
I’m gonna try to make you love me too, so get ready
So get ready here I come
Get ready ’cause here I come
I’m on my way
Get ready ’cause here I come
Get ready
All my friends shouldn’t want you to I understand it
(Be alright)
I hope I’ll get to you before they do the way I planned it
(Be outta sight)
So twiddle-dee-dee twiddle dee dum
Look out baby ’cause here I come
And I’m bringing you a love that’s true so get ready
So get ready
I’m gonna try to make you love me too, so get ready
So get ready here I come
Get ready, ’cause here I come
I’m on my way
Get ready ’cause here I come, boy
Get ready ’cause here I come, boy
Writer/s: William Robinson Jr.
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind
There are times when only Motown will do. Tonight is one of those times, and this is one I haven’t played for a couple of years, so hopefully it will bring a smile to your faces!
Interestingly, two people have mentioned this song to me in the last week or so, and as I was working on my Jolly Monday post tonight, I found this one kept running through my head. Now, at the same time, simultaneously, I have Elton’s Tiny Dancer running through my head, melding together with the Motown sound … is it any wonder the inside of my head looks like a 5-day-old bowl of mush? Usually when that happens, I figure I should share the song and let it run through your heads also!
I thought this song was older than this, but it was released in 1966 and is considered to be the Four Tops signature song.
In 2014, interviewed by The Guardian, Four Tops singer Duke Fakir said:
Eddie [songwriter Edward Holland] realised that when Levi hit the top of his vocal range, it sounded like someone hurting, so he made him sing right up there. Levi complained, but we knew he loved it. Every time they thought he was at the top, he would reach a little further until you could hear the tears in his voice. The line “Just look over your shoulder” was something he threw in spontaneously. Levi was very creative like that, always adding something extra from the heart.
Written by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland), Dozier would later say …
“Brian, Eddie and I often had discussions about what women really want most of all from a man, and after talking about some of our experiences with women, we all three agreed that they wanted someone to be there for them, through thick or thin, and be there at their beck and call! Thus this song was born.”
The Four Tops recorded this in just two takes, and then proceeded to forget about it, figuring it to be a “throwaway” album track. Motown boss Berry Gordy, however, had other ideas and released it as a single. Gordy had a knack for identifying hit songs, and got this one right.
And now … just sit back, close your eyes, and listen … feel …
Reach Out I’ll Be There Four Tops
Now if you feel that you can’t go on
Because all of your hope is gone,
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion,
And your world around is crumblin’ down;
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach on out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I’ll be there, with a love that will shelter you.
I’ll be there, with a love that will see you through.
I’ll be there to always see you through.
When you feel lost and about to give up
‘Cause your best just ain’t good enough
And you feel the world has grown cold,
And you’re drifting out all on your own,
And you need a hand to hold:
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I’ll be there, to love and comfort you,
And I’ll be there, to cherish and care for you.
I’ll be there to love and comfort you.
I can tell the way you hang your head,
You’re without love and now you’re afraid
And through your tears you look around,
But there’s no peace of mind to be found.
I know what you’re thinkin’,
You’re alone now, no love of your own,
But darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Just look over your shoulder
I’ll be there, to give you all the love you need,
And I’ll be there, you can always depend on me.
Lionel Richie is among my top ten favourite artists, and I was amazed when earlier tonight it was brought to my attention that I hadn’t played any of his songs for a while (actually, it was just over three weeks ago when I played Endless Love, but heck, three weeks is a long time). At any rate, since I do love Lionel, and since I haven’t yet played this one here …
Written by the man himself, this was Lionel Richie’s fourth solo single – the first being a duet with Diana Ross. Released in 1983 on the Motown Label, co-produced with James Carmichael, it topped the Hot 100 for four weeks. The song also sold well internationally, and was performed by Richie at the closing ceremony of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Lionel said this one took him about two months to write because …
“I just couldn’t find the ending – I couldn’t find all night long to save my life. I had everything, the verses, the middle part, all the stuff. I just did not have all night long. It took me forever to find it. And finally one night, the heavens opened up and came through.”
As for the origin of the song, he says he got the vibe for this song from his vacations in the Caribbean …
“I’m one of those guys that – I don’t look for something new. I look for what people do everyday. And I noticed that, anytime I would come on vacation, everybody who can rap is on vacation doing a calypso dance. Everybody who’s singing Opera, they conform to some form of calypso or some form of reggae. So when I went back to do ‘All Night Long’ it was very simple. All I had to do was find that beat that everybody dances to when they go on vacation.”
There is a very multicultural vibe to this song, as Richie mentions joyful words in different languages. “Karamu” is a Swahili word for a party accompanied by a feast; “Liming” is a Caribbean term for getting together, and “Fiesta” is Spanish for party. Richie explains the lyric “Tambo liteh sette mo-jah! Yo! Jambo jambo” …
“I called the UN and said ‘I need something African for the breakdown in this song I’m writing.’ They informed me that there are thousands of different African dialects. I couldn’t believe it. One region doesn’t have any idea what the other is taking about. So, ‘Tambo liteh sette mo-jah!’? I made it up on the spot. Now I think that ‘Jambo’ might have a meaning in Swahili, but you gotta be careful because it might mean ‘welcome’ in one dialect and you might get your head cut off for saying it in another.”
A young Richard Marx, before he found fame with his own hits such as Right Here Waiting, supplied backing vocals on this track. He said the “jambo” section was a moving target …
“It kept changing. He kept getting different notes from people saying, ‘That’s actually not what that means. Change this vowel.’ So, we had to do it a couple of times on different days.”
Lionel Richie was an early mentor to Richard Marx, who also lent his vocals to several of Richie’s other recordings, including Running With The Night and You Are. Said Marx …
“Working with him in the studio was always just fun. He makes everything fun. He has got an incredible energy about him – positive energy. I can’t say enough about him.”
This song became an anthem for the Iraqi people during the 2003 invasion. Richie told Q magazine July 2009: “Recently I met the commander of the 190 Brigade. He said his troops put speakers on their Humvees and played ‘Dancing On The Ceiling.’ they arrived to hear ‘All Night Long.’ The fall of Baghdad was played out to my songs, which is a bit frightening.”
This was the first Lionel Richie video to make an impact on MTV.
“When MTV started, it wanted nothing to do with black artists. But then I gave them ‘All Night Long’ after Michael (Jackson) had broken down the door. And from then on I was on MTV.”
All Night Long (All Night) Lionel Richie
Da Da, ooooh Well, my friends, the time has come To raise the roof and have some fun Throw away the work to be done Let the music play on (play on, play on, play on…) Everybody sing, everybody dance Lose yourself in wild romance We’re going to Party, Karamu, Fiesta, forever Come on and sing along! We’re going to Party, Karamu, Fiesta, forever Come on and sing along!
All night long (all night), All night (all night) All night long (all night), All night (all night) All night long (all night), All night (all night) All night long! (all night), Ooh, yeah (all night)
People dancing all in the street See the rhythm all in their feet Life is good, wild and sweet Let the music play on…(Play on, play on, play on…) Feel it in your heart and feel it in your soul Let the music take control We’re going to Party, Liming, Fiesta, forever Come on and sing along We’re going to Party, Liming, Fiesta, forever Come on and sing my song!
All night long (all night), oooh, (all night) All night long (all night), yeaz, (all night) All night long (all night), yeah, (all night) All night long (all night)…(all night)
Yeah, once you get started you can’t sit down Come join the fun, it’s a merry-go-round Everyone’s dancing their troubles away Come join our party, See how we play!
Come on! Come on! Everybody dance like Jimmy Come on!
Tam bo li de say de moi ya Hey Jambo Jumbo Way to parti o we goin’ Oh, jambali Tam bo li de say de moi ya Yeah, Jambo, jumbo
Oh, O, O, O, yes We’re going to have a party! (Yeah… ugh)
All night long (all night), All night, (all night) All night long (all night), All night, (all night) All night long (all night), All night, (all night) All night long (all night)…
Everyone you meet (all night) They’re jamming in the street (all night) All night long! (All night)
Everyone you meet (all night) They’re jamming in the street (all night) All night long! (All night)
Everybody come on! Feel good! Feel good! Come on!
Come on!
Sing about here, everybody!
All night long (all night), All night, (all night) All night long (all night), All night, (all night) Come on now All night long (all night), All night, (all night)
Released in 1967, Jackie Wilson recorded this in Chicago with members of The Funk Brothers, who were Motown’s house band. As detailed in the documentary Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, these musicians were responsible for the distinctive Motown sound, but they didn’t make much money and moonlighted by playing sessions for artists like Wilson. Playing on this track were bassist James Jamerson, drummer Richard “Pistol” Allen, guitarist Robert White, and keyboardist Johnny Griffith.
The song was originally written by Chess Records’ in-house writers and producers Carl Smith and Raynard Miner, and initially recorded by The Dells for the label, but not released.
Released in August 1967, the song reached #1 on the US Billboard R&B chart and, in November, peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #6, and #11 in the UK.
A cover version by Rita Coolidge in 1977 reached US #2. It was a much slower version and the title was amended slightly to (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher.
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher Jackie Wilson
Your love, lifting me higher
Than I’ve ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I’ll be at your side, forever more
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Listen
Now once, I was down-hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again
That’s why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Alright
I’m so glad, I’ve finally found you
Yes that one, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you, honey
I can stand up, and face the world
Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now sock it to me
Hold me, the other woman
Keep my love going
Higher and higher
I said keep on lifting
Lift me up mama
I apologize that I am once again re-duxing. The hour is late and my heart is heavy tonight, so please forgive me. I last played this one in August 2018, just over two years ago. It still resonates with me, and I hope you will enjoy it yet again, too.
Lionel Richie originally wrote this song and recorded it with Diana Ross in 1981. Lionel Richie had risen from saxophone player in the Commodores to lead vocalist and primary songwriter in the group. He was still with them when the movie, Endless Love, was being filmed and director Franco Zeffirelli asked him to write an instrumental theme along the lines of Henry Mancini’s theme from the 1971 film Love Story. Richie, who was eager to add “film soundtrack” to his resumé, used a piece of music he had written for the Commodores but was never recorded. But then Zeffirelli decided he wanted lyrics. And that it should be a duet, maybe with Diana Ross. So Richie’s assignment went from devising an instrumental theme song to composing and performing on a fully-formed duet with the most popular female vocalist in America. He was up for the challenge.
The movie did not do well, but the song, recorded under the Motown label, received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and won a Marquee Award in 1982 for Best Original Song.
In 1994, Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross recorded this for Vandross’ album Songs. It became Luther’s biggest hit, going to #2 in the US. I am a big fan of Luther Vandross, but tonight, as I listened to his and Mariah’s version, I found that I still preferred Lionel Richie and Shania’s. Somewhere along the line, Kenny Rogers even recorded it … is there a song around that he hasn’t recorded??? I did not listen to Kenny’s version. Three was enough for me.
Richie and Twain recorded their version in 2011, and the video you are about to watch was recorded in February 2012.
Endless Love Lionel Richie and Shania Twain
My love
There’s only you in my life
The only thing that’s right
My first love
You’re every breath I take
You’re every step I make
And I
I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do
And your eyes (your eyes, your eyes)
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes
You’ll always be
My endless love
Two hearts
Two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun
And forever
I’ll hold you close in my arms
I can’t resist your charms
And I
I’d play the fool
For you, I’m sure
You know I don’t mind
(No, you know I don’t mind)
And yes
You mean the world to me
I know I’ve found in you
My endless love
And love
I’d play the fool
For you, I’m sure
You know I don’t mind
(Whoa, you know I don’t mind)
Oh, yes
You’d be the only one
Cause no, I can’t deny
This love I have inside
And I’ll give it all to you
My love (my love, my love)
Tonight I am in a mood that is crying out for some Stevie Wonder. There are very few that I haven’t already played here at least once (can you tell that I’m a huge Stevie Wonder fan?) However, I did find one!
Overjoyed is a hit single written and performed by American R&B singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder on the Tamla (Motown) label from his 1985 album In Square Circle.
The song was written first for the 1979 album Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, but was left off the album, and re-recorded for the 1985 album In Square Circle. In the liner notes for the song, “crickets, nightingale & additional bird sounds, ocean, pebbles in pond, stone dropped, crushing leaves” are listed under “environmental percussion”. The song was first performed live on the May 7, 1983, episode of Saturday Night Live, where Wonder was the host and musical guest.
This song has been covered by numerous artists, including Diana Ross, Mary Blige, Grover Washington, Celine Dion and many more, most of whom I have never heard.
I had to force myself to listen to this fourfive six times tonight, just to make sure I had gotten the right lyrics, that he wasn’t singing off-key … you know, all those details that must be just right! 😉 And now, I think I might actually be able to sleep for a few hours … dreaming … of … zzzzzz … sandman has come … zzzzzzzzzzz …
Overjoyed Stevie Wonder
Over time, I’ve building my castle of love Just for two, though you never knew you were my reason I’ve gone much too far for you now to say That I’ve got to throw my castle away
Over dreams, I have picked out a perfect come true Though you never knew it was of you I’ve been dreaming The sandman has come from too far away For you to say come back some other day
And though you don’t believe that they do They do come true For did my dreams Come true when I looked at you And maybe too, if you would believe You too might be Overjoyed, over loved, over me
Over hearts, I have painfully turned every stone Just to find, I had found what I’ve searched to discover I’ve come much too far for me now to find The love that I’ve sought can never be mine
And though you don’t believe that they do They do come true For did my dreams Come true when I looked at you And maybe too, if you would believe You too might be Overjoyed, over loved, over me
And though the odds say improbable What do they know For in romance All true love needs is a chance And maybe with a chance you will find You too like I Overjoyed, over loved, over you Over you
This song, released in 1972, was written by Melvin Steals and Mervin Steals, who according to Chancellor of Soul, were two songwriter brothers working for The Spinners’ label, Atlantic Records, who were sometimes credited as “Mystro and Lyric.” If The Spinners sound a little more like Motown than New York, that’s because they used to be signed with Motown Records. The self-titled Spinners album was their first produced on their shiny new Atlantic contract. They were even known as “The Motown Spinners” before, but changed their name to “The Detroit Spinners” after moving to Atlantic.
For a band which peaked in the mid-’70s, The Spinners certainly seem to have staying power. They still tour today, are a feature of oldies’ stations and nostalgia concerts, were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999, and as recently as 2006, appeared in a July episode of The Late Show With David Letterman.
Could It Be I’m Falling In Love The Spinners
Since I met you I’ve begun to feel so strange
Every time I speak your name (that’s funny)
You say that you are so helpless too
That you don’t know what to do
Each night I pray there will never come a day
When you up and take your love away
Say you feel the same way too and I wonder what
It is I feel for you
Could it be I’m falling in love (with you baby)
Could it be I’m falling in love (ooh)
Could it be I’m falling in love
With you, with you with you, with you
I don’t need all those things that used to bring me joy
You made me such a happy boy
And honey you’ll always be the only one for me
Meeting you was my destiny
You can be sure I will never let you down
When you need me I will be around
And darling you’ll always be the only one for me
Heaven made you specially
