That's What Girls Are Made For
Encyclopedia
"That's What Girls Are Made For" is the debuting single for the American
R&B/Soul vocal group The Spinners, released on Harvey Fuqua
's Tri-Phi Records label in 1961.
The single featured most of the original members of the group including original lead singer Bobbie Smith
and featured a very young Marvin Gaye
playing drums. Harvey Fuqua
and his then-girlfriend Gwen Gordy made the song simply for them to record.
Released nationally on Tri-Phi, the song reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100
and number 5 on the Hot R&B Songs
chart, starting a long successful run for the group, who later found success with neighboring Detroit label Motown Records
in the mid-1960s and Philadelphia soul
-based records with Atlantic Records
in the 1970s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B/Soul vocal group The Spinners, released on Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua, was an African-American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, record producer, and record label executive.Fuqua founded the seminal R&B/doo-wop group the Moonglows in the 1950s...
's Tri-Phi Records label in 1961.
The single featured most of the original members of the group including original lead singer Bobbie Smith
Bobby Smith (R&B singer)
Robert "Bobby" Smith is an American R&B singer, noted as the principal lead singer of the soul vocal group, The Spinners, also known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners....
and featured a very young Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
playing drums. Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua, was an African-American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, record producer, and record label executive.Fuqua founded the seminal R&B/doo-wop group the Moonglows in the 1950s...
and his then-girlfriend Gwen Gordy made the song simply for them to record.
Released nationally on Tri-Phi, the song reached number 27 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 number 5 on the Hot R&B Songs
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,...
chart, starting a long successful run for the group, who later found success with neighboring Detroit label Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
in the mid-1960s and Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
-based records with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in the 1970s.
Credits
- Lead vocals by Bobbie SmithBobby Smith (R&B singer)Robert "Bobby" Smith is an American R&B singer, noted as the principal lead singer of the soul vocal group, The Spinners, also known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners....
- Background vocals by Bobbie Smith, George Dixon, Pervis JacksonPervis JacksonPervis Jackson was an American R&B singer, noted as the bass singer for The Spinners, and was one of the group's original members.-Life and career:...
, Henry FambroughHenry FambroughHenry Fambrough is an original vocalist and current member of the R&B quintet The Spinners . He is one of two active original members of the Spinners...
and Billy HendersonBilly HendersonWilliam "Billy" Henderson was an English professional footballer. He was born in Whitburn, County Durham.Billy Henderson, a right-back, began his career with his local side Whitburn from whom he joined Brighton & Hove Albion... - Drums by Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
- Other Instrumentation by Various session artists (including possibly 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...
)
Chart history
| Chart (1961) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart 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... |
27 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 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,... |
5 |