baby i need your loving: battle royale

THREE SONGS. THREE SOOTHING VOICES. BATTLE ROYALE PART IV.

This is an extra tricky song battle because I have three versions of this song. Also, I am really enjoying calling it a battle because in no way do I expect you to choose a winner/even pretend this is serious. "Baby I Need Your Loving" was a huge Motown hit for The Four Tops in 1964. Hello, it was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland who could write a tight song about me brushing my teeth. It's a classic song with a classic Motown feel. It's such a feel-good song. Who doesn't know all the words? It's one of those songs where I feel like groups of people will start singing it together and then wonder how they know every single lyric. I have included the original Four Tops version, but here are some BATTLERS.

The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving

Man. Love these guys. The Four Tops are, of course, a classic Motown quartet. TRIVIA: Did you know these guys were together for something crazy like forty years without a single line-up change? Seriously. They had a ton of hits that we all know and love in the sixties. I can get down to a Four Tops song anytime, anywhere. If you can't, I feel like you might need to CHECK YOUR PULSE. "Baby I Need Your Loving" really started it all for this group. Check the vid.

Johnny Rivers - Baby I Need Your Lovin'


Johnny Rivers is a huge personal fave. He recorded a cover version in 1967 and titled it "Baby I Need Your Lovin'". He was only released as a single but had success. I mean, how could it not? He also covered "Tracks of My Tears" during this period. Loving the Motown thing from Johnny.

The Supremes - Baby I Need Your Loving

The Supremes got in the mix with their version, recorded in 1966. It appears on their album A' Go-Go, which has a ton of crazy stuff on it. A million covers! Of course, we all know that The Supremes were a Motown girl group and pretty much the biggest ballers of the sixties, except for maybe the Beatles. I'm dead serious. These girls are like the highest selling vocal group EVER. That is ridiculous. This version features the original gals: Diana, Mary, and Florence.



SO, which one do you like the best? Personally, I can't go wrong with the O.G. Four Tops version, but I have to admit it's a nice change of pace to hear the soothing female vocals from Diana. But, I also love Johnny's crooner style. A near impossible choice, but at least nothing will disappoint you. Now, I'm off to a busy day. Sike, the only real thing I have to do today is eat lunch.

tight people of the day: the four tops

I simply cannot tell you how much I adore the use of fancy footwork by groups like the Four Tops. These guys could do magic with their twinkle toes and one microphone! And in slim cut suits, no less. I wish more people wore suits on stage these days. Look, it's all about me, not the comfort of the performers. Anyway, I just ate a Lean Pocket and I'm feeling the glow of a delicious combination of four cheeses in a reduced fat crust pouch. I just can't help but love on that picture right about now!

I've selected the Four Tops for coupla reasons. One: they are ballers. Two: the main lead singer, Levi Stubbs, passed away last week. So many of us know Levi's voice, but maybe just don't realize it. I feel like Levi's voice is one of those unique univeral voices that will get a toddler and a pepaw and a mean old tax collector all dancing and singing. I mean, I feel like I know every word to every Four Tops song Levi ever recorded. THE POWER OF MUSIC. RIP Levi, and enjoy the great gig in the sky.

Here's the deal. This is the pure Motown sound. This is it. There are amazing shades of soul, disco, jazz, doo-wop. I mean, this group has it all. The Four Tops could be played at any event and people would leave happy. This group had a major amount of hits, mostly provided by the big cheeses Holland-Dozier-Holland. Who wouldn't want songs written for them by those badasses? Frrl. Once again, I'm left crying into my pillow that I wasn't alive during this time so I could move to Detroit, find Berry Gordy, and try to make it. Maybe in my next life, America.

Here is a Four Tops treat from 1973. I have a serious love relationship with all of their songs from the sixties, too.

Four Tops - Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)