What's So Easy for Two Is So Hard for One
Encyclopedia
"What's Easy for Two Is Hard for One" is a song written and produced by Smokey Robinson
and released as a single by singer Mary Wells
for the Motown
label.
Smokey Robinson
William "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...
and released as a single by singer Mary Wells
Mary Wells
Mary Esther Wells was an American singer who helped to define the emerging sound of Motown in the early 1960s...
for the Motown
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...
label.
Song information
In this song, the narrator is longing for a longtime partnership with a suitor and constantly begs the man to "take her to the preacher man" in hopes the couple does "what should be done" because "what two can easily do is so hard to be done by one".Release and reaction
Released in mid-1963, the song returned Wells to the top 30 where it peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wells covered the song at least two more times.Covers
"What's Easy For Two Is Hard For One" is one of the most covered Motown songs within the company.- The TemptationsThe TemptationsThe Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
recorded a version in 1965. Remained unreleased until 1999. - The MarvelettesThe MarvelettesThe Marvelettes were an American singing girl group on the Tamla label. Motown's first successful female vocal group, the Marvelettes are most notable for recording the company's first #1 Pop hit, "Please Mr...
recorded a version in 1966. It was released in 1968 (#114 U.S. Pop). - Connie HainesConnie HainesConnie Haines was an American singer. Her 200 recordings were frequently up-tempo big band songs with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey orchestras, and Frank Sinatra...
recorded a version in 1966. - Barbara RandolphBarbara RandolphBarbara Randolph was an African American singer and actress who recorded for Motown Records in the 1960s.She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was adopted by the actress Lillian Randolph, who appeared in It's a Wonderful Life and many other movies...
recorded a version in 1966. - LuluLulu (singer)Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
recorded a version for Decca Records in 1964. - The IntrudersThe IntrudersThe Intruders were an American soul music group most popular in the 1960s and 1970s. As one of the first groups to have hit songs under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, they had a major influence on the development of Philadelphia soul....
recorded a version for their 1974 album, Energy of Love.
Personnel
- Lead vocal by Mary WellsMary WellsMary Esther Wells was an American singer who helped to define the emerging sound of Motown in the early 1960s...
- Background vocals by 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...
- Instrumentation by 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...