Song of the Day #360: ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ – Four Tops

fourtops2This, of course, is the other ‘I’ll Be There’ with which I confused the Jackson 5 song. It’s every bit as much a classic, and arguably more so.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m sort of at a loss for words when it comes to these Motown Weekends because I don’t have a ton of associations with the songs. Thank god Michael Jackson died and gave me fodder to write about over the past couple of weekends. In fact, on future weekends I might just treat these as a break from writing and simply present the lyrics. I’ll play it by ear.

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Song of the Day #346: ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)’ – Four Tops

fourtopsIt’s a truly sad fact that when I get to the chorus of this wonderful song, the lyrics that run through my mind are these: “I can’t help myself…. it’s Duncan Hines and nobody else!”

I guess there aren’t enough talented jingle writers out there for companies to pay for original tunes to sell their products. So instead they pony up the cash for classic songs, and all the memories and associations they carry, and co-opt them to peddle underwear and cake mix. Capitalism at its worse… when everything is for sale, is nothing sacred?

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