Every New Zealand #1 single…
9
Where Did Our Love Go
Topped the NZ chart: for 1 week from 17 September 1964.
The Supremes were massively successful in the 1960s. They scored twelve #1s on the Billboard charts, the most of any American group. 1964’s ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ marked the start of their reign, the first of five consecutive number one hits in the US. The single was released while The Supremes were touring with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars – during the tour they went from the bottom of the bill to the top.
They weren’t quite as successful in New Zealand. This was at least partially due to a quirk in the NZ charts, where there was no singles chart for most of 1965, the year the Supremes released ‘Stop! In The Name of Love’, ‘Back in My Arms Again’, and ‘I Hear A Symphony’.
The Supremes had even better singles during the 1960s, but this was a deserved hit. It was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland. It featured The Funk Brothers, with James Jamerson on bass. It’s a simple song, but it’s elevated by Diana Ross’s coquettish vocal. The arrangement is sophisticated, with an unusual rhythm, vibraphone, and saxophone.
The Supremes’ most successful period was between 1964 and 1967. There was a changing musical landscape and tensions within the group. ‘Love Child’ put them back at the top of the charts in the late 1960s, but Ross went solo in 1970.
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This was one of their most popular and maybe the one they are remembered for the most. I would say this one and Stop! In The Name of Love. I agree though…they had better ones but those two are very popular still.
Stop! In The Name of Love is a couple of steps above this one IMO. I should probably track down a compilation sometime – they must have some other great tunes.
Those two are the ones I hear the most…but yes…they did have some really good ones. I like their last ones like Love Child and Someday We’ll Be Together.
Extremely talented, but this song always irks me a little bit. The fact that it’s the same simple verse that goes over and over and over. Fine, there’s a sax break, but even that is still played over the same riff. I assume it’s deliberate, to bring out the feeling of longing and waiting and being able to move forward, but still, I can’t help but feel that a chorus would be nice.
It was never a favourite when I listened to classic rock/pop radio a lot. But I really enjoyed hearing it with fresh ears. There’s enough happening with the arrangement and vocals to keep it interesting for me, even if they have better songs.
“Coquettish vocal”. Now, where have I seen that before? It got me thinking, so I searched “Diana Ross coquettish vocal” and found around eight other reviewers using the same phrase! It must be the “go-to” phrase for Diana Ross, like “curmudgeonly” for Van Morrison, “acerbic” for Elvis Costello and “lovable” for Ringo Starr.
I searched my own blog and where did I use it? For Brenda Holloway!
As for Diana Ross & The Supremes having “some other great tunes”. Hmm, I think so. About 20-30 of them!
For the record, I did think of “coquettish” myself – it’s just a good word for her. I just Googled, and someone else said nasal as well, which is even better.
I have no idea who Brenda Holloway is?
Are the Supremes are compilation band, or do you recommend the albums? I should probably hear more.
Maybe Diana’s vocals really were coquettish! Hence everyone using the phrase.
Google Brenda Holloway – a Motown contemporary of Diana. That’s why I was amused at my use of coquettish for her.
As a diehard Motown fan, I would recommend the whole lot, although, as with many Motown albums, there are quite a few Beatles and easy-listening covers around. The best streamable compilation is probably “The Ultimate Collection”.
I have good memories of this song, thanks to ‘American Idol’!
Did someone cover it?
Oh yeah, Julia DeMato covered it on season 2, top 12.