7-Rooms of Gloom
Encyclopedia
"7-Rooms of Gloom" is a 1967 hit song recorded by the Four Tops
for the Motown label. Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is notable for matching lead singer Levi Stubbs
' lamentations of heartache with a dramatic, Gothic
-inspired musical arrangement. "7-Rooms of Gloom" reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100
, and has since been covered by a number of artists, including the band Blondie
and solo singer Pat Benatar
. The Four Tops did not care for the song, and have not performed it in their repertoire.
The song's "B" side, "I'll Turn To Stone" , was also a hit, reaching #76 on the Billboard Pop chart, and # 50 on its R&B listings that year.
Four Tops
The Four Tops are an American vocal quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, hard rock, and showtunes...
for the Motown label. Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is notable for matching lead singer Levi Stubbs
Levi Stubbs
Levi Stubbles , better known by the stage name Levi Stubbs, was an American baritone singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the Motown R&B group Four Tops...
' lamentations of heartache with a dramatic, Gothic
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
-inspired musical arrangement. "7-Rooms of Gloom" reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and has since been covered by a number of artists, including the band Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
and solo singer Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar is an American singer and four-time Grammy winner. She had considerable commercial success particularly in the United States...
. The Four Tops did not care for the song, and have not performed it in their repertoire.
The song's "B" side, "I'll Turn To Stone" , was also a hit, reaching #76 on the Billboard Pop chart, and # 50 on its R&B listings that year.
Personnel
- Lead vocals by Levi Stubbs
- Background vocals by Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Lawrence PaytonLawrence PaytonLawrence Albert Payton was an American tenor, songwriter and record producer for the popular Motown quartet, the Four Tops....
, and the AndantesThe AndantesThe Andantes were a prolific female sessions group for the Motown record label during the 1960s. Composed of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps, the group sang background vocals on numerous Motown recordings, including songs by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Temptations, Stevie...
(Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps) - Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
- Written by Brian HollandBrian HollandBrian Holland is an American songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland. That songwriting and production team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound and numerous hit records by artists such as Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes, The Four Tops,...
, Lamont DozierLamont DozierLamont Herbert Dozier is an American songwriter and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.-Career:...
, and Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter and record producer.... - Produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier