Reach Out I’ll Be There With The Four Tops

Considered by many to be the most popular Four Tops song ever, “Reach out, I’ll be there” charted in 1966. It was one of many hit singles for the group, who ultimately spent many years with Motown – although they did work with other labels at different times. In fact, until the death of Lawrence Payton in 1997 – the Group performed continuously as a quartet until 1997, a staggering forty-three years! The other members of the Group being: Levi Stubbs, Abdul (Duke) Fakir and Renaldo (Obie) Benson.

Sample “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” on Motown 50 here:

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I Can’t Help Myself performed by the Four Tops

Full title of the record is “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”! Levi Stubbs’ distinctive voice again dominates this Four Tops number one single from 1965. Apparently, Levi was unhappy with the first couple of takes and was promised that it could be re-recorded the following day. However, Motown producer Brian Holland was so pleased with the second take that he released it just as it was.

The top 5 of June 19, 1965:

1. I Can’t Help Myself (Four Tops)
2. Mr Tambourine Man (Byrds)
3. Woolly Bully (Sam the Sham and the Pharaos)
4. Crying in the Chapel (Elvis Presley)
5. Back in My Arms Again (Supremes)

Sample “I Can’t help myself” on Motown 50 here:

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Everybody’s Talkin’ by the Four Tops

In 1970, Motown released a concept album by the Four Tops entitled “Still Waters Run Deep”. It contained the track “Everybody’s Talkin” composed by Fred Neil. This is a cover version of the hit better known by Harry Nilsson. It is an indication of how much reliance the ‘Tops had upon the writing trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland who left Motown in 1968 following disagreements over remuneration with Berry Gordy. They had penned many of their previous hits and ‘Everybody’s Talkin’ was simply the latest in a long series of cover material.

However, their fortunes changed later in 1970 when Frank Wilson produced ‘It’s All In The Game’. This was quickly followed by ‘Still Water’ which was an even bigger success. Towards the end of 1970, they covered ‘River Deep, Mountain High’.

Sample “Everybody’s Talkin” on Motown 50 here:

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