| Author | Message | ||
  Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 456 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Im Livin In Shame--no comment. Everybodys Got Right To Love--dirge-maybe Motown WAS trying to kill the Supremes tho thank God Stone Love was around the corner--and they released this over Lovin Country???????? The Happening-Hollywood drek but at least u can hear Mary and Flo. Floy Joy and Automatically Sunshine--was Smokey in a trance?Totally lacking in substance. Frank Wilson where are u???? The Composer--shameful Symphony wannabe.Diana solo I Want A Guy-Diana blow your nose!!!And Flo couldnt have done better???? Honarable Mention-Bad Weather--yes Stevie is a genius but even he aint perfect--I know I will be villified by Supremes fanatics but Jean is out of her element here and whistles are hokey and the chorus is weak and Lynda is shrieking at end. Tho it has grown on me.;;;;;;;;No Matter What Sign You Are --Motown was usually more savvy than jumping on novelties but Berry did get some great singing out of Diana here--and the music is great-can u imagine this song with different lyrics? JUST MY THOUGHTS--respect all opinions-gonna hide. | ||
roger (roger) 4-Laureate Username: roger Post Number: 154 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.35.87.17 |
Jimmy Mack!!! Of your suggestions I would agree with "The Happening" .. total dirge IMO, and "The Composer" ( O.K. as an L.P. track bit NOT as a single .. EMI in the U.K. saw sense and didn't release it as a 45!! ). Of your others .. "Living in Shame"????? .. I agree that some of the lyrics are corny ("Came the telegram, ma passed away whilst making home-made jam" is risable ) ... BUT ... the backing music is amazing, and I would love to hear this just as an instrumental. The others you mention I like!! One I could add is "Nothing But Heartaches", again it is O.K. as an L.P. track, and it has a great intro and the rhythm is very strong, but as a SONG it doesn't do it for me. Roger | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 379 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.79.165.152 |
I'm Livin' In Shame, was a very sad song...but a lesson to learn. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 460 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
I agree Roger per Nothing But Heartaches--maybe HDH thought anyhting would go to #1. I just cant get beyond the lyrics on Shame--and after the brilliance of Love Child it seemed like real condescension. I dont hate the others tho not up to supreme standards. | ||
Davie Gordon (davie_gordon) 4-Laureate Username: davie_gordon Post Number: 104 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
OH GOD ! - some people will want to lynch me for this but - "Baby Love" - can't listen to it at all and the worst thing about it is that it represents the Supremes to non-fans. The Happening - bought it out of loyalty / fanaticism when I was 14 - I reach for the skip button on the remote now (God bless skip controls !) "Run, Run,Run" - too shrill, man, too shrill as Stan Freberg would have said. In fact I wouldn't disagree with any of your choices - especially "Bad Weather" which always sounded a mess to me. I'm not one of those who think Stevie Wonder can do no wrong. Still, i can forgive them almost anything for the sake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 462 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
U go Dave. I never went nuts for Baby Love either. Its time to break the denial and be honest about sacred cow songs!! Yes, You Keep Me Hangin On is abosolute perfection. | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 990 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.163.50.205 |
Buttered popcorn******** I want a guy Run run run Floy joy The happening | ||
Mike Sku (mike_sku) 3-Pundit Username: mike_sku Post Number: 32 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.9.11.62 |
Does "The Weight" count? It was a duet with the Tempts. "No Matter What Sign You Are" didn't do much for me, either. | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 311 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
My least favorites are: Let Me Go The Right Way Some Things You Never Get Used To (sorry Ashford & Simpson) My World Is Empty Without You Automatically Sunshine Handsome | ||
Davie Gordon (davie_gordon) 4-Laureate Username: davie_gordon Post Number: 106 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
" The Weight" why not - frankly I've never liked that song by anybody and I must have about ten different versions of it. Let the cow slaughter begin ! LOL On the subject of "The Happening" - I am DREADING hearing the Velvelettes do this - love the girls but doubt anybody could do a version I'd like. | ||
roger (roger) 4-Laureate Username: roger Post Number: 157 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.35.87.17 |
Mike and Dave. I was playing my 2fer C.D. of the SUPREMES/TEMPTATIONS L.Ps yesterday and skipped over "The Weight" .. as I invariably do!! I too have never liked the song, even ARETHA FRANKLIN's version does nothing for me. Here are the lyrics .. http://www.lyricsdomain.com/20 /travis/the_weight.html Does anyone have any idea what they are supposed to be about? Roger | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 312 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
I don't know why, but I liked this song! Handsome | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 4-Laureate Username: randy_russi Post Number: 127 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
I Guess I'll Miss The Man ---- never understood how this could be issued as a Supremes' single. | ||
Gil (gil) 3-Pundit Username: gil Post Number: 56 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 192.44.136.113 |
I really like "The Happening". I guess if I was around when it was first released, and was anticipating the next Supremes single, I might have been less enthusiastic. When I discovered the song, I already knew what it was (A Devol soundtrack composition), so I sorta knew what to expect. I guess I really love the killer harmonies of Mary and Flo. I also have a copy of them performing it on "Ed Sullivan"...probably the last appearance by Flo. It's very fun to watch. | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 314 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Frank Devol...he wrote the Brady Bunch theme, correct? I suprised the "Bradys" didn't record The Happening, ha ha! Gil, hit me up! Handsome | ||
Largo161 (largo161) 2-Debutant Username: largo161 Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.142.0.75 |
A lot of people don't seem to like The Composer. I've always been fond of it. When I'm in a certain mood The Happening is a lot of fun. Some least faves are: No Matter What Sign Some Things You Never Get Used To Run Run Run Let Me Go Right But did someone say they don't like My World Is Empty?????? Ya gotta be kidding. LOL Well, when I was a kid in the late 70s the song that represented the Supremes like no other IMO was Stop In The Name Of Love--and I never really cared for it. | ||
John Lester (theboyfromxtown) 4-Laureate Username: theboyfromxtown Post Number: 102 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.131.142.248 |
Davie How can you say that about The Happening!!!!! In any case, the Velvelettes did not record The Happening My least favourite SUPREMES 45 is "Bad Weather" - although when HW and AS put that extended version out, I kind of thought it was cute. And "Early Morning Love"... | ||
Davie Gordon (davie_gordon) 4-Laureate Username: davie_gordon Post Number: 107 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
Hi John ... looks like you were just getting started there with those three trailing dots :-) The Velvs didn't record "The Happening" ? - thank the Lord ! I wonder what I'm thinking of ..... I've tried to like the "Happening" - hell, I spent a week's pocket money on it when it was released - but it just doesn't do it for me. Too upbeat, too bright, too L.A.. too phoney. Too damn pop - I knew I should have bought the Cowsills instead. | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 316 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Hey Largo161! I said it...that song just never grabbed me :o) When I first heard "The Happening", it was strange & different for the Supremes, I admit, but then it grew on me. I liked the Composer too. Handsome | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 317 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
I didn't like the Supremes singing "The Nitty Gritty"! Gladys Knight & The Pips version puts them to shame! Handsome | ||
Reese (reese) 4-Laureate Username: reese Post Number: 115 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.15.169.64 |
I guess I have to join those who dislike THE WEIGHT. I never liked the Supremes/Tempts version of it, and have no idea why it would even be considered for a single, much less released. I'm also not a big fan of TOUCH and YOU'RE MY DRIVING WHEEL. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 463 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 149.174.164.84 |
Ok as long as some sacred cows r being slaughtered -see we r not alone!--I never particularly liked My World Is Empty either(thanks SDF)!!!Technically its vg tho its more a Diana solo and just didnt grab me. Remember we r doing singles!(ok hated Early Morning Love too)--The Young Folks also gives me agita. I like the Weight by the Band--isnt it like He Aint Heavy per theme? Shrill is good to describe Run Run Run--hard to believe HDH and Supremes thought that was the one that would break wide open. I think Bad Weather has a great hit in there somewhere but it seems that maybe Stevie was in a hurry and thought it would just be a smash no matter what. | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 318 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Thanks Jimmy Mack! Handsome | ||
Largo161 (largo161) 2-Debutant Username: largo161 Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.159.48.145 |
Jimmy Mack, what is "agita"? Was The Young Folks a single? OK Handsome, you redeemed yourself by liking The Composer! Dan | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 466 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Dan--means sick to stomach-Young Folks was flipside of a single so I figured it counts!and it charted. | ||
Boynextdoor (boynextdoor) 3-Pundit Username: boynextdoor Post Number: 67 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.140.137.47 |
I agree with the person who said "Bad Weather" was a mess. I'd have to agree. Never liked it. Just a jumbled mess. That's one song Jean sounds out of place on. I've tried to like it, but, after 30 years.....it ain't gonna happen! | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 384 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.79.95.56 |
Itching In My Heart Whisper You Love Me Boy I Hear A Symphony Where Did Our Love Go Come See About Me Love Is Hear And Now You're Gone Ask Any Girl Crossroads Of Love The Happening Baby Love I Love Everything About You(?) STOP In The NAme Of Love I must admit, at that time, the Supremes were "IT" first and then the rest. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 319 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Hmmmmm. Where do I start? Nothing makes me angrier than watered down Pop being passed off as Soul! It would probably be easier for me to name the few Supremes songs that I actually do like since I've never been a fan of this group. Here's a few that I find particularly offensive: I Hear A Symphony Love Is Here And Now You're Gone The Happening - One of the all-time worst from a Soul standpoint! In And Out Of Love Love Child  And the singles I've heard without Diana aren't much better. Some are even worse: Up The Ladder To The Roof Stoned Love River Deep Mountain High - This was a horrible tune when Ike & Tina Turner did it and it was a horrible hit for the Supremes! Garbage! The early 70's Supremes have that horrible fake, watered-down, Partridge Family sound. So Cheesy! Give me Labelle, The Emotions, The Sweet Inspirations, Sisters Love or Hodges, James & Smith any day! | ||
Robb_K (robb_k) 5-Doyen Username: robb_k Post Number: 404 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.235.127.163 |
I don't really know the Supremes songs after the first few of the jean Terrell group. I disliked "Buttered Popcorn" -but I geenerally dislike novelty songs that don't have a sweet melody. I didn't really like "The Happening" | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 393 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.252.127.94 |
Rodman, I have to agree, Supremes were more of a Pop style than soul...everyone at Motown wasn't necessarily Soul singers, as with a lot of the Female Groups... (uh oh) | ||
Tony Russi (tony_russi) 5-Doyen Username: tony_russi Post Number: 193 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.210.24.149 |
My least fave Supremes would be "The Happening","Baby Love","I Guess I'll Miss The Man".I loved the 3 part harmony early records of Diana, Flo and Mary. I thought "No Matter What Sign You Are" was a great production and great Diana Ross record(her vocal was cool). | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 395 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.252.127.94 |
Sweetest Hangover | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 3-Pundit Username: chidrummer Post Number: 49 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 24.14.41.10 |
Note to Rodmann, medusa and everyone else that hates The Happening. Good ears to all of you for recognizing on of the few times Motown engaged musicians other than the Funk Brothers on a Supremes record. Part of the rhythm and horn tracks were recorded in LA by The Wrecking Crew, who a few years later also recorded the music for the Partridge Family. Now you know why this cut is definately labeled, UNFUNKY. | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 446 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.224.120.244 |
Chi...are you serious? The Wrecking Crew did the partial rhythm track? Didn't DeVol write that song too? The same one who wrote MY THREE SONS? THE YOUNG FOLKS I didn't like as well...I agree with some of the others. | ||
Boynextdoor (boynextdoor) 3-Pundit Username: boynextdoor Post Number: 69 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.140.137.45 |
I think after HDH left Motown, The Supremes were trying to find a sound/niche. They were all over the place and most of it was a mess. I can't fault The Supremes....like they had much say so. I just got the new release "There's a Place For Us". Hmmm. I can see why it was never released. I bought it for the historical value of The Supremes. I only listened to it once and am wondering if I'll ever listen to it again? I never liked those kind of songs....even by my favorite group. Maybe Hip-O records can caugh up something else from the vaults of better stuff. | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 399 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.252.127.94 |
Ok, my bad, I thought this thread was about naming my favorite Supremes songs...oops ! | ||
Gil (gil) 3-Pundit Username: gil Post Number: 59 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 65.83.208.15 |
Written by Devol, performed by the Wrecking Crew. The did music for a lot of the late 60's early 70's sitcoms. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 474 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
Isnt it interesting - us Baby Love dislikers finally come out of the closet. I love the Flo, Mary and Diana the best as a group but for me musically Mary, Cindy and Jean were the best musically--girl groups dont get much better than Stone Love,Touch,Its time to break down, Lovin Country, 530 Plane, Up the Ladder... | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 328 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Like the Brady Bunch..I mentioned this above :o) Handsome | ||
Flo-Jamerson (flojamerson) 1-Arriviste Username: flojamerson Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 207.235.53.230 |
I heard that on the The Happening cut,it started out with The Wrecking Crew and HDH didn't like how the song was being played,so HDH took it back to Detroit and let the the Funk Brothers rip it. | ||
marv (marv) 3-Pundit Username: marv Post Number: 61 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
My least favorite Supremes Singles include: 1. In and Out of Love 2. You're My Driving Wheel ( nice song, but hated the mix that was released as a single). 3. The Composer 4. No Matter What Sign You Are 5. The Weight (w/The Temptations) | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 482 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
Marv-I feel same about Driving Wheel and I go back and forth on it. It has grown on me. Is the cd cut the one u like? | ||
marv (marv) 3-Pundit Username: marv Post Number: 62 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Hey Jimmy Mack, the CD version is the one I like. Also the original album version was not bad. The single-version just did not make a good impression on me at the time. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 6-Zenith Username: luke Post Number: 485 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
You beat me to the punch--Bradys rock-its a sunshine day!!--they said spead niceness--great message  over and out | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 327 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
OMG Chi Drummer! I knew that The Supremes sounded like The Partridge Family but I had no idea that they were the same band! LOL. Where were the early 70's Jean Terrell sides cut? Those sound cheesy and watered down as well. I'm unable to sit through 'Stoned Love', 'Up The Ladder To The Roof',etc. I can understand the corniness of the 60's Pop singles with Diana since Pop flavored R&B was in and Miss Ross has never been a Soul singer but there's no excuse for those early 70's sides! After 1967 and through the early 70's hardcore Soul came into vogue and singers and musicians started to get down FOR REAL. Even the girl groups. From a Soul standpoint if you compare what LaBelle, Sisters Love and even what The Three Degrees were doing at that time The Supremes just seemed corny! The Supremes sounded no different than Josie & The Pussycats or The Archies! I guess I just don't get what The Supremes were all about. | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 465 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.224.120.244 |
I guess it fit the era at the time, but I'LL NEVER MISS THE MAN wasn't one of my favorites either (forgive me!) | ||
Mike Sku (mike_sku) 3-Pundit Username: mike_sku Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.9.11.62 |
I liked "I Guess I'll Miss the Man", but I thought it was strange that the Supremes recorded it. Since it was at the end of Jean's tenure with the girls, it was too late to start another Broadway thing with them. I also thought it was strange to appear on the Jimmy Webb album since Stephen Schwartz ("Pippin") wrote it. That song and "Tossin' and Turnin'" seemed oddly out of place. | ||
matt weingarden (mrfinewine) 1-Arriviste Username: mrfinewine Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 64.74.45.38 |
why all the hate for "run run run"? i think it's great...with that moody little change in the verse...gets me every time! maybe a little shrill, i'll admit, but a seriously catchy, hard-hitting song! it's up there for me with their best, including "he's all i got," "itching," and "he's my sunny boy." | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 482 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.224.120.244 |
Mike Stu...forgive me for the wrong title...I felt the same about that song being out of place...that's why I thought well maybe it was right for that era. | ||
Vickie (vickie) 3-Pundit Username: vickie Post Number: 55 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 64.236.243.31 |
least fave Living In SHame The Happening over played I think - Stop In The Name Of Love, played almost as much as My Girl on the oldie station here in LA..I like them on my CD randam function, but not every other song on the radio.. | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 4-Laureate Username: chidrummer Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 24.14.41.45 |
Geez, I forgot to check back in to this thread. Boy, looks what's happened! Flo-J you get the best ears award. You're right that there's a combination of the Detroit and LA on The Happening: The drums are definitely Hal Blaine. His signature sound/licks are over this record. Bass is a toss up. Carol Kaye will tell you it's her, I'm not convinced it's NOT Jamerson. Guitars, absolutely Eddie, Joe & Robert. Horns & Keyboards are Wrecking Crew. The flutes however, sound suspiciously Detroitish. Also up for grabs is the tamborine part. Is it Jack? Sounds too simple to be him, but the sound of the reverb makes me think it is. Rodman,as for the post Diana Supremes hits I've always thought those to be some of the final Funk Brother tracks (Bob Babbitt could be of some help here). I've never seen any serious documentation to the contrary. On the other hand, it could have been the same Motown West Coast musicians that played on J-5 records. So Lady Mystique, Oh Yeah I'm serious. The music business often makes for strange bedfellows. Gil already gave you the right answer | ||
stone love (stone_love) 2-Debutant Username: stone_love Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.229.136.164 |
I'M LIVING IN A SHAME AND THE COMPOSER HAS TO BE THE WORST SONGS.(MARY WILSON AND CINDY BIRDSONG ARE NOT ON THESE SONG)ALSO I'M THE GREATEST STAR. I JUST LOVE THE 70s SUPREMES. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 366 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Thanks Chi. Those early Jean Terrell sides just irritate the hell out of me! Nothing soulful about them IMO. Although The Supremes aren't one of my favorites groups I do like some of their tunes and I was surprised to see a few of them listed here as some of their worst. 'Buttered Popcorn', 'Let Me Go The Right Way' are a few of my personal favorites by this group. I wasn't familiar with 'No Matter What Sign You Are' but after reading this thread I dusted off my old Supremes Anthology cd's, gave the song a listen and I was actually pleasantly surprised! Jimmy, I do agree with you about the lyrics and theme of the song being corny but as Tony pointed out the production is great! I can't believe how Soul oriented it is! Very different from other 60's Motown singles. I would've liked to hear more songs like this by the girls without the kitschy lyrics. For the record 'The Weight' is an excellent song when it's done right! I haven't had the misfortune of hearing The Supremes & Tempts version but it's probably even worse than you all say it is. The Aretha Franklin version is also lackluster and uninspired. What's ironic is the fact that the R&B artists were the ones to botch this song up and make it sappy. The original version by The Band is great but if you want to hear this song done with SOUL pick up the 1968 remake by Jackie DeShannon with a young Barry White cuttin' up in the background! Three minutes of pure Soul-Rock bliss! | ||
Nosey (nosey) 5-Doyen Username: nosey Post Number: 200 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 149.174.164.84 |
The Happening should be in the Toilet thread. Barf, Barf! |
