Meet the Supremes
Encyclopedia
Meet the Supremes is the debut album by The Supremes
, released in late 1962 on Motown. The LP includes the group's earliest singles: "I Want a Guy
", "Buttered Popcorn
", "Your Heart Belongs to Me
" and "Let Me Go the Right Way
". The earliest recordings on this album, done between fall 1960 and fall 1961, feature the Supremes as a quartet composed of teenagers Diane Ross
, Mary Wilson
, Florence Ballard
, and Barbara Martin
. Martin left the group in early 1962 to start a family, and the other three girls continued as a trio. Martin is not pictured on the album because of her departure earlier in the year; although her vocals are present on the majority of the recordings on the album (as well as other recordings made during that period), she never received any royalties from album sales. She does have a spoken interlude line (as do the other group members) on the bridge of the song "(He's) Seventeen", and also sings lead on "After All", a song recorded for but not originally included on the album. Along with these songs, Ballard and Wilson are heard out front on other songs as well. Wilson sings lead on "The Tears" (another former non-album track) and "Baby Don't Go"; Ballard has leads on a handful of songs as well (see below), including "Buttered Popcorn" and the short intro line to "Let Me Go the Right Way".
None of these singles charted within the top 40 of the Billboard Pop Singles
chart, leading to the group being referred to around the Motown offices as the "no-hit" Supremes. By the time of their next LP, Where Did Our Love Go
, the Supremes would have two top 40 hits to their name, one of them, "Where Did Our Love Go
", a number-one hit.
Meet The Supremes was originally issued only in monaural
sound. A stereo
remix of the album, with a new cover, was issued along with the original mono version in 1965. Additionally, a deluxe two compact disc edition was released by Hip-O Select in the spring of 2010, which included both the mono and stereo versions of the album, as well as several outtakes, non-album tracks and live performances.
Though the album made little to no impact on the US album charts, in 1962, when it was released in the UK in 1964 it managed to peak at #13 on the UK Albums Chart
, with some versions of the UK album having a slightly different track listing which featured some songs from their next album Where Did Our Love Go
.
All of these recordings have been released in various Supremes/Motown compilations, and (except for "You're Gonna Come To Me" & "Tears Of Sorrow") were added to the album as bonus tracks in the 2010 CD reissue.
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 in late 1962 on Motown. The LP includes the group's earliest singles: "I Want a Guy
I Want a Guy
"I Want a Guy" is a song written by Berry Gordy and was the debuting single for Motown girl group The Supremes in 1961. It was also recorded by The Marvelettes...
", "Buttered Popcorn
Buttered Popcorn
"Buttered Popcorn" is a 1961 song written by Motown president Berry Gordy and songwriter Barney Ales, and produced by Gordy, and released as a Tamla label single by Motown singing group The Supremes. It was the group's second single since signing with Motown Records as well as their second, and...
", "Your Heart Belongs to Me
Your Heart Belongs to Me
"Your Heart Belongs to Me" is a 1962 song written and composed by The Miracles' William "Smokey" Robinson and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes during their early years with the label...
" and "Let Me Go the Right Way
Let Me Go the Right Way
"Let Me Go the Right Way" is a 1962 song written and produced by then Motown president Berry Gordy and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes...
". The earliest recordings on this album, done between fall 1960 and fall 1961, feature the Supremes as a quartet composed of teenagers Diane Ross
Diana Ross
Diana 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, and Barbara Martin
Barbara Martin
Barbara Diane Martin in Detroit, Michigan is an African-American singer; better known for being one of the original founding members of Motown singing group The Supremes. After The Primettes dropped Betty McGlown from their lineup due to McGlown's upcoming nuptials, Martin replaced her in the...
. Martin left the group in early 1962 to start a family, and the other three girls continued as a trio. Martin is not pictured on the album because of her departure earlier in the year; although her vocals are present on the majority of the recordings on the album (as well as other recordings made during that period), she never received any royalties from album sales. She does have a spoken interlude line (as do the other group members) on the bridge of the song "(He's) Seventeen", and also sings lead on "After All", a song recorded for but not originally included on the album. Along with these songs, Ballard and Wilson are heard out front on other songs as well. Wilson sings lead on "The Tears" (another former non-album track) and "Baby Don't Go"; Ballard has leads on a handful of songs as well (see below), including "Buttered Popcorn" and the short intro line to "Let Me Go the Right Way".
None of these singles charted within the top 40 of the Billboard Pop Singles
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...
chart, leading to the group being referred to around the Motown offices as the "no-hit" Supremes. By the time of their next LP, Where Did Our Love Go
Where 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...
, the Supremes would have two top 40 hits to their name, one of them, "Where Did Our Love Go
Where 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 number-one hit.
Meet The Supremes was originally issued only in monaural
Monaural
Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction is single-channel. Typically there is only one microphone, one loudspeaker, or channels are fed from a common signal path...
sound. A stereo
Stereophonic sound
The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...
remix of the album, with a new cover, was issued along with the original mono version in 1965. Additionally, a deluxe two compact disc edition was released by Hip-O Select in the spring of 2010, which included both the mono and stereo versions of the album, as well as several outtakes, non-album tracks and live performances.
Though the album made little to no impact on the US album charts, in 1962, when it was released in the UK in 1964 it managed to peak at #13 on the 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...
, with some versions of the UK album having a slightly different track listing which featured some songs from their next album Where Did Our Love Go
Where 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...
.
Side one
- "Your Heart Belongs to MeYour Heart Belongs to Me"Your Heart Belongs to Me" is a 1962 song written and composed by The Miracles' William "Smokey" Robinson and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes during their early years with the label...
" (Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
) - "Who's Lovin' YouWho's Lovin' You"Who's Lovin' You" is a Motown soul song, written in 1960 by William "Smokey" Robinson. The song has been recorded by many different artists including The Miracles, who recorded the 1960 original version, The Temptations, The Supremes, Terence Trent-D'arby, Brenda and The Tabulations, John Farnham,...
" (Smokey Robinson) - "Baby Don't Go" (Berry Gordy, Jr.)
- "Buttered PopcornButtered Popcorn"Buttered Popcorn" is a 1961 song written by Motown president Berry Gordy and songwriter Barney Ales, and produced by Gordy, and released as a Tamla label single by Motown singing group The Supremes. It was the group's second single since signing with Motown Records as well as their second, and...
" (Gordy, Barney Ales) - "I Want a GuyI Want a Guy"I Want a Guy" is a song written by Berry Gordy and was the debuting single for Motown girl group The Supremes in 1961. It was also recorded by The Marvelettes...
" (Gordy, 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,...
, Freddie Gorman)
Side two
- "Let Me Go the Right WayLet Me Go the Right Way"Let Me Go the Right Way" is a 1962 song written and produced by then Motown president Berry Gordy and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes...
" (Gordy) - "You Bring Back Memories" (Robinson)
- "Time Changes Things" (B. 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,...
, Janie BradfordJanie BradfordJanie Bradford is an American songwriter, most known for her tenure with Motown. With Berry Gordy, she co-wrote "Money ", originally recorded by Barrett Strong and used by The Beatles on their second album With The Beatles...
, 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:...
) - "Play a Sad Song" (Gordy)
- "Never Again" (Gordy)
- "(He's) Seventeen" (Raynoma LilesRay SingletonRay Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
, Marv JohnsonMarv JohnsonMarv Johnson was an American R&B and soul singer, most notable for performing on the first record to be issued from what became Motown.-Biography:...
)
Early Supremes tracks originally not included on album
Other tracks that were recorded along the same timeline that could have been included on the album include:- "The Tears" (Robinson)
- Produced Smokey Robinson, featuring Mary Wilson on lead vocals
- "Save Me a Star" (Gordy, Gwen Gordy FuquaGwen Gordy FuquaGwen Gordy Fuqua was the elder sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy, sister of Motown songwriters Anna Gordy Gaye, Robert Gordy and George Gordy, sister of Motown Museum founder Esther Gordy Edwards, sister of Fuller Gordy and also Loucye Gordy, and the former wife of Harvey Fuqua...
, Bradford)- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Florence Ballard on lead vocals
- "Heavenly Father" (Edna McGriff)
- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Florence Ballard on lead vocals
- "Hey Baby" (Gordy)
- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Florence Ballard on lead vocals
- There were 4 different recordings of this song done during this period
- "After AllAfter All (The Miracles song)"After All" is a 1960 song written by Smokey Robinson and originally recorded and released by The Miracles on the Tamla label. It was later covered as an unreleased single by The Supremes for Tamla; it was canceled in favor of the single "Buttered Popcorn", and their cover wasn't released until it...
" (Robinson)- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr. & Smokey Robinson, a rare track that features all four group members - including early member Barbara Martin - taking a lead verse
- "Because I Love Him" (Gordy)
- a cover of Eddie Holland's "Because I Love Her"
- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals
- "Tears Of SorrowTears of Sorrow"Tears of Sorrow" is the very first single by The Primettes, later known as The Supremes, released in 1960. This single was their first single from Lu Pine Records, and their last. "Tears of Sorrow," along with "Pretty Baby", are the only known recordings that feature the vocals of Betty McGlown....
" (Richard Morris, Diana Ross, Florence Ballard)- a cover of the group's Lu Pine Records single (when they were The Primettes)
- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals
- "The Boy That Got Away" (Gordy)
- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals
- Interestingly the second pressing of the album with the alternate artwork incorrectly lists this song as being included on side two
- "You're Gonna Come To Me" (Gordy)
- There were 4 different recordings of this song - 3 recordings were done as the group was a quartet, 1 recording was done as the group was a trio
- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr. (vers. 1-3) or Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier (ver. 4), featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals
- "Those DJ Shows" (Robinson)
- Produced Smokey Robinson, featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals
- "Too Hot" (Gordy)
- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals
- There were 4 different recordings of this song done during this period
- "(You Can) Depend On Me(You Can) Depend on Me" Depend on Me" , was a 1959 song by Motown Records group The Miracles, which also appeared on the group's first album, Hi... We're The Miracles . It also appeared as the "B" side of the group's hit single, Way Over There. It was written by Motown Records' President and founder Berry Gordy and...
" (Gordy, Robinson)- Produced by Berry Gordy, Jr., featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals
All of these recordings have been released in various Supremes/Motown compilations, and (except for "You're Gonna Come To Me" & "Tears Of Sorrow") were added to the album as bonus tracks in the 2010 CD reissue.
2010 Expanded CD bonus trackslist
- "Your Heart Belongs To Me" (Live 1962)
- "I Want A Guy" (Live 1962)
- "Time Changes Things" (Live 1962)
- "Let Me Go The Right Way" (Live 1962)
- "After All" (Stereo Mix)
- "(You Can) Depend On Me" (Version 2)
- "The Boy That Got Away" (Alternate Mix)
- "Hey Baby" (Version 2)
- "Too Hot" (Version 1)
- "Buttered Popcorn" (Version 3)
- "Buttered Popcorn" (Version 4)
- "I Want A Guy" (Version 1)
- "Who’s Lovin’ You" (Stereo Mix w/Mono Vocal)
- "Because I Love Him" (Version 2)
- "Save Me A Star" (Stereo Mix)
- "Heavenly Father" (Stereo Mix)
- "Those DJ Shows" (Stereo Mix)
- "The Tears" (Stereo Mix)
- "Your Heart Belongs To Me" (Version 1)
- "I’m Giving You Your Freedom" (Alternate Mix) (Holland-Dozier-HollandHolland-Dozier-HollandHolland–Dozier–Holland is a songwriting and production team made up of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. They are considered to be one of the greatest songwriting teams in popular music...
) - "Run, Run, Run" (Live 1964) (Holland-Dozier-HollandHolland-Dozier-HollandHolland–Dozier–Holland is a songwriting and production team made up of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. They are considered to be one of the greatest songwriting teams in popular music...
) - "Standing At The Crossroads Of Love" (Live 1964) (Holland-Dozier-HollandHolland-Dozier-HollandHolland–Dozier–Holland is a songwriting and production team made up of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. They are considered to be one of the greatest songwriting teams in popular music...
) - "Anyone Who Had A Heart" (Live 1964) (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Hal DavidHal DavidHarold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
) - "Time Changes Things" (Live 1964)
- "Make Someone Happy" (Live 1964) (Betty ComdenBetty ComdenBetty Comden was one-half of the musical-comedy duo Comden and Green, who provided lyrics, libretti, and screenplays to some of the most beloved and successful Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows of the mid-20th century...
, Adolph GreenAdolph GreenAdolph Green was an American lyricist and playwright who, with long-time collaborator Betty Comden, penned the screenplays and songs for some of the most beloved movie musicals, particularly as part of Arthur Freed's production unit at MGM, during the genre's heyday...
, Jule StyneJule StyneJule Styne was a British-born American songwriter especially famous for a series of Broadway musicals, which included several very well known and frequently revived shows.-Early life:...
) - "Let Me Go The Right Way" (Live 1964)
- "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" (Live 1964) (Holland-Dozier-HollandHolland-Dozier-HollandHolland–Dozier–Holland is a songwriting and production team made up of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. They are considered to be one of the greatest songwriting teams in popular music...
)
Personnel
- Diane 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...
, 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...
, 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 Barbara MartinBarbara MartinBarbara Diane Martin in Detroit, Michigan is an African-American singer; better known for being one of the original founding members of Motown singing group The Supremes. After The Primettes dropped Betty McGlown from their lineup due to McGlown's upcoming nuptials, Martin replaced her in the...
: lead and background vocals - 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 - Berry GordyBerry GordyBerry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
: producer (some tracks); Album executive producer - Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
: producer (some tracks) - 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:...
: producers on "Time Changes Things" - Raymona Liles GordyRay SingletonRay Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
: musitron & ondioline instrumentation (some tracks); producer on "(He's) Seventeen"
Singles history
- "I Want a Guy" b/w "Never Again" (Tamla 54038, March 9, 1961)
- "Buttered Popcorn" b/w "Who's Lovin' You" (Tamla 54045, July 21, 1961; re-recorded version issued in August)
- "Your Heart Belongs to Me" b/w "(He's) Seventeen" (Motown 1027, May 8, 1962)
- "Let Me Go the Right Way" b/w "Time Changes Things" (Motown 1034, November 22, 1962)
Album
| Name | Chart (1964) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| Meet The Supremes | 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... |
13 |
Singles
| Name | Chart (1961–1962) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "Your Heart Belongs to Me Your Heart Belongs to Me "Your Heart Belongs to Me" is a 1962 song written and composed by The Miracles' William "Smokey" Robinson and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes during their early years with the label... " |
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... |
95 |
| "Let Me Go the Right Way Let Me Go the Right Way "Let Me Go the Right Way" is a 1962 song written and produced by then Motown president Berry Gordy and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes... " |
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... |
90 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B Singles 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,... |
26 |