Thursday, August 11, 2022

Song of the Day: 'Nothing but Heartaches' by the Supremes


Day 9 of my series of Songs That Peaked at No. 11: Today's pick is in honor of legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, who died yesterday at 81. Along with Brian and Eddie Holland, Dozier wrote some of the most memorable songs in music history, including "Heat Wave" (Martha and the Vandellas), "How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)" (Marvin Gaye, James Taylor), "Baby I Need Your Loving" (Four Tops) and 10 of the Supremes' 12 No. 1 hits, including "You Can't Hurry Love," "Baby Love," "Come See About Me," "Stop! In the Name of Love," "Back in My Arms Again" and "You Keep Me Hangin' On." (Can you say WOW?!!) 


Lamont Dozier, left, with Diana Ross, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland after the writing trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York on Jan. 17, 1990.


They also wrote "Nothing but Heartaches," which has always been a favorite "second tier" hit of the group's. And while I'm not saying it should have been another No. 1 -- in fact, it broke a string of five in a row -- the song was the sixth of seven consecutive million-sellers from the Fab Three, which is pretty remarkable for a song that only made it to No. 11. RIP, Lamont. And thank you for the music. 

2 comments:

Jinxy said...

It's one of my favorites! Had it made it to #1 it would have set another record. And with I Hear A Symphony being the next #1 that would have set a permanent record of 7 #1 songs for a girl group.

normadesmond said...

I had this album.