Greatest Hits (Supremes album)
Encyclopedia
The Supremes: Greatest Hits (also released as Diana Ross & the Supremes: Greatest Hits) is a two-LP
collection of singles and b-sides recorded by The Supremes
, released by Motown in August 1967 (see 1967 in music
). The collection was the first LP to credit the group under the new billing Diana Ross & the Supremes. Although founding member Florence Ballard
is pictured on all album artwork and sings on all the tracks, by the time the set was released, she had been fired from the group and replaced by Cindy Birdsong
.
", "Stop! In the Name of Love
", "You Can't Hurry Love
", and the most recent Supremes number-one, "The Happening
" (a non-album track from the 1967 film of the same name). Also included are five popular Supremes B-sides
: "Standing at the Crossroads of Love", "Ask Any Girl", "There's No Stopping Us Now", "Everything is Good About You", and "Whisper You Love Me Boy".
The packaging for the set includes liner notes by actress Carol Channing
(which were originally written for an unreleased album "The Supremes and The Motown Sound: From Broadway To Hollywood") and paintings by Robert Taylor, including collectable 12 inch by 12 inch pin-up portraits of Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson
. Greatest Hits was their second number-one album on both the Billboard 200
and the Billboard R&B Albums charts in the United States
, and also reached the top of the pop album chart in the United Kingdom
as well. It sold over 4 million copies.
Although not nominally credited because of their increasingly estranged relationship with Motown, all of the songs included were produced by the songwriting/production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland.
and Lamont Dozier
. All songs written by Holland–Dozier–Holland unless otherwise noted. Superscripts denote original album sources, referenced below.
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
collection of singles and b-sides recorded by The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, released by Motown in August 1967 (see 1967 in music
1967 in music
The summer of 1967 is "The Summer of Love" in San Francisco. It also became an important year for psychedelic rock, with releases from The Beatles The summer of 1967 is "The Summer of Love" in San Francisco. It also became an important year for psychedelic rock, with releases from The Beatles The...
). The collection was the first LP to credit the group under the new billing Diana Ross & the Supremes. Although founding member Florence Ballard
Florence Ballard
Florence Glenda Ballard Chapman was an American singer and a founding member of the Motown group The Supremes. From 1963 until 1967, Ballard sang on 16 Top 40 hit Supremes' singles, ten of which hit number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1967, Motown CEO Berry Gordy decided to remove Ballard from...
is pictured on all album artwork and sings on all the tracks, by the time the set was released, she had been fired from the group and replaced by Cindy Birdsong
Cindy Birdsong
Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Birdsong , better known by her stage name, Cindy Birdsong, is an American singer, most famous for singing with the legendary soul groups Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles and The Supremes.-Early life:...
.
Overview
Greatest Hits includes fifteen Supremes singles, 10 of which went to number-one, among them were "Where Did Our Love GoWhere Did Our Love Go
"Where Did Our Love Go" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Where Did Our Love Go" was the first single by the Supremes to go to the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart...
", "Stop! In the Name of Love
Stop! In the Name of Love
"Stop! In the Name of Love" is a 1965 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Stop! In the Name of Love" held the number-one position on the Billboard pop singles chart in the United States from March 21, 1965...
", "You Can't Hurry Love
You Can't Hurry Love
"You Can't Hurry Love" is 1966 song originally released by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song topped the United States Billboard pop singles chart and in the UK in the top 5, released and peaking late summer in 1966...
", and the most recent Supremes number-one, "The Happening
The Happening (song)
"The Happening" is a 1967 song recorded by Motown artists The Supremes. The song served as the theme song of the 1967 Columbia film The Happening, and was released as a single by Motown at the time of the film's release that spring...
" (a non-album track from the 1967 film of the same name). Also included are five popular Supremes B-sides
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
: "Standing at the Crossroads of Love", "Ask Any Girl", "There's No Stopping Us Now", "Everything is Good About You", and "Whisper You Love Me Boy".
The packaging for the set includes liner notes by actress Carol Channing
Carol Channing
Carol Elaine Channing is an American singer, actress, and comedienne. She is the recipient of three Tony Awards , a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination...
(which were originally written for an unreleased album "The Supremes and The Motown Sound: From Broadway To Hollywood") and paintings by Robert Taylor, including collectable 12 inch by 12 inch pin-up portraits of Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson
Mary Wilson (singer)
Mary Wilson is an American singer, formerlymember of the Motown female singing group The Supremes during the 1960s and 1970s. Wilson was the only singer to be a consistent member of the group in its eighteen-year tenure...
. Greatest Hits was their second number-one album on both the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and the Billboard R&B Albums charts in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and also reached the top of the pop album chart in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as well. It sold over 4 million copies.
Although not nominally credited because of their increasingly estranged relationship with Motown, all of the songs included were produced by the songwriting/production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland.
Track listing
All songs produced by Brian HollandBrian Holland
Brian 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,...
and Lamont Dozier
Lamont Dozier
Lamont 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:...
. All songs written by Holland–Dozier–Holland unless otherwise noted. Superscripts denote original album sources, referenced below.
Side 1
- "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His EyesWhen the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes"When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" is a song written by Holland–Dozier–Holland and recorded in 1963 by Motown singing group The Supremes. It is notable as the Supremes' first Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 recording, following seven previous singles between January 1961 and September...
" a – 2:38 - "Where Did Our Love GoWhere Did Our Love Go"Where Did Our Love Go" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Where Did Our Love Go" was the first single by the Supremes to go to the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart...
" a – 2:30 - "Ask Any Girl" a, b – 2:44
- "Baby LoveBaby Love"Baby Love" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland ,...
" a – 2:37 - "Run, Run, RunRun, Run, Run (The Supremes song)"Run, Run, Run" is a 1964 song written by Holland–Dozier–Holland and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes. After a couple of years of unsuccessful singles, the Supremes had finally broken through with a Top 40 single in December 1963 with "When the Lovelight Starts Shining...
" a – 2:30
Side 2
- "Stop! In the Name of LoveStop! In the Name of Love"Stop! In the Name of Love" is a 1965 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Stop! In the Name of Love" held the number-one position on the Billboard pop singles chart in the United States from March 21, 1965...
" b – 2:53 - "Back in My Arms AgainBack in My Arms Again"Back in My Arms Again" is a 1965 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Back in My Arms Again" was the fifth number-one song for the group on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in the United States from...
" b – 2:52 - "Come See About MeCome See About Me"Come See About Me" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.The song became third of five consecutively released Supremes songs to top the Billboard pop singles chart in the United States...
" a – 2:42 - "Nothing but HeartachesNothing But Heartaches"Nothing but Heartaches" is a 1965 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown songwriting and producing team Holland–Dozier–Holland, it was notable for breaking the first string of five consecutive number-one pop singles in the United States, peaking at number...
" b – 2:57 - "Everything is Good About You" (James Dean, Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter and record producer....
) c – 2:57
Side 3
- "I Hear a SymphonyI Hear a Symphony"I Hear a Symphony" is a 1965 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song became the sixth number-one pop hit on Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in the United States for two weeks from November 14,...
" c – 2:38 - "Love Is Here and Now You're GoneLove is Here and Now You're Gone"Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" is a 1967 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and composed by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, it became the second consecutive number-one pop single from the Supremes' album The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland and...
" e – 2:46 - "My World Is Empty Without YouMy World Is Empty Without You"My World Is Empty Without You" is a 1965 song recorded and released as a single by The Supremes for the Motown label.-Overview:Written and produced by Motown's main production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song's slow tempo accompanies a somber lyric which delves into the feelings of...
" c – 2:33 - "Whisper You Love Me Boy" b – 2:40
- "The HappeningThe Happening (song)"The Happening" is a 1967 song recorded by Motown artists The Supremes. The song served as the theme song of the 1967 Columbia film The Happening, and was released as a single by Motown at the time of the film's release that spring...
" (Holland-Dozier-Holland, Frank De VolFrank De VolFrank Denny De Vol, also known simply as De Vol was an American arranger, composer and actor.-Early life and career:...
) – 2:49
Side 4
- "You Keep Me Hangin' OnYou Keep Me Hangin' OnVanilla Fudge's 1967 psychedelic/hard rock remake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" reached #6 on the Hot 100 chart two years after the release of the Supremes' recording. While the version released on 45 RPM single was under three minutes long, the album version was extended to six minutes and...
" e – 2:40 - "You Can't Hurry LoveYou Can't Hurry Love"You Can't Hurry Love" is 1966 song originally released by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song topped the United States Billboard pop singles chart and in the UK in the top 5, released and peaking late summer in 1966...
" d – 2:45 - "Standing at the Crossroads of Love" a – 2:27
- "Love Is Like an Itching in My HeartLove Is Like an Itching In My Heart"Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" is a 1966 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song was recorded in June 1965 and not released until April 1966...
" d – 2:55 - "There's No Stopping Us Now" e – 2:55
Album sources
- a from Where Did Our Love GoWhere Did Our Love Go (album)Where Did Our Love Go is a 1964album by Motown singing group The Supremes. The album, their second studio LP, includes several of the group's singles and B-sides from 1963 and 1964...
(1964) - b from More Hits by The SupremesMore Hits by the SupremesMore Hits by The Supremes is a 1965 studio album by Motown singing group The Supremes. The album, their third regular studio LP, includes two number-one hits: "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "Back in My Arms Again", as well as the Top 20 single "Nothing but Heartaches". The album peaked at #6 on...
(1965) - c from I Hear a SymphonyI Hear a Symphony (album)I Hear a Symphony is a 1966 album released by Motown girl group The Supremes on the Motown label.Positioned as a successful attempt to further bridge the gap between traditional pop music, the traditional Motown sound and soul, the album included the title track, The Supremes' sixth number-one...
(1966) - d from The Supremes A' Go-Go (1966):
- e from The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland (1967)
- "The Happening" is new to album. The single "Reflections" was originally also intended for inclusion, but was heldover and replaced with "Standing in The Crossroads of Love". "Reflections" was included on the subsequent Reflections LP in March 1968.
Release information
- Greatest Hits was released overseas in some markets shortened to one LP. The tracklisting for this version includes only the major singles, omitting "Ask Any Girl", "Standing at the Crossroads of Love", "Everything is Good About You", "There's No Stopping Us Now", "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes", and "Run, Run, Run".
- Diana Ross & the Supremes: Greatest Hits is regularly referred to as Diana Ross & the Supremes: Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2, as its 1969 single-disc follow-up is titled Greatest Hits Vol. 3. The double-LP was issued by Motown as two separate halves in 1986. Greatest Hits, Greatest Hits, Vol. 3, and The Supremes at Their Best (A greatest hits collection for the post-Ross 1970s Supremes) were compiled and issued as The Supremes: Gold in 2005.
Personnel
- Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
: lead vocals - Mary WilsonMary Wilson (singer)Mary Wilson is an American singer, formerlymember of the Motown female singing group The Supremes during the 1960s and 1970s. Wilson was the only singer to be a consistent member of the group in its eighteen-year tenure...
and Florence BallardFlorence BallardFlorence Glenda Ballard Chapman was an American singer and a founding member of the Motown group The Supremes. From 1963 until 1967, Ballard sang on 16 Top 40 hit Supremes' singles, ten of which hit number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1967, Motown CEO Berry Gordy decided to remove Ballard from...
: background vocals - 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,...
and 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:...
: producers - The Funk BrothersThe Funk BrothersThe Funk Brothers was the nickname of Detroit, Michigan, session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown Records recordings from 1959 until the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972...
: instrumentation on all tracks save for "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone".
Singles history
- "The Happening" b/w "All I Know About You" (non-album) (Motown 1107, March 20, 1967)
Chart history
| Name | Chart (1967) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| Diana Ross & The Supremes Greatest Hits | U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B Albums Chart Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
1 | |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
Singles
| Name | Chart (1967) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "The Happening" | U.S. 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... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B Singles Chart Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
12 | |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
6 |