The Four Tops: A Photo from a Big Year in Motown History
This photo of the Four Tops was likely taken around 1965 at the Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit. In the picture are Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton. Belle Isle, a large park in the Detroit River, was a popular place for people in the city. Motown even held summer picnics there during the July 4 holiday. It was also special to Berry Gordy Jr., who used to run five miles around the island when he was a young amateur boxer.
Introduction
The summer of 1965 was an exciting time for the group. Their hit song “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June. Around the same time, Motown heard that Columbia Records planned to re-release an older Four Tops song, “Ain’t That Love.” To stay ahead, Berry Gordy quickly asked for a new single.
On July 7, the songwriting team Holland/Dozier/Holland wrote “It’s The Same Old Song” in the studio while the group waited. The song was recorded and mixed very fast. Within 24 hours, 1,500 copies were sent to radio DJs across the country. The song became a hit almost immediately.
The group stayed busy. The very next day, they recorded another future hit, “Something About You,” which became their third Top 20 song in a row by November 1965. That year, they also traveled to the U.K. to promote their music and performed at state fairs in Michigan and New Jersey.
In 1965, the Four Tops were working hard—and winning big. 🎵✨
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Ooh, Sugar Pie, Honey BunchYou know that I love youI can’t help myselfI love you and nobody elseIn and out my life (in and out my life)You come and you go (you come and you go)Leaving just your picture behind (ooh)And I’ve kissed it a thousand times (ooh)When you snap your finger, or wink your eye, I come a-running to youI’m tied to your apron stringsAnd there’s nothing that I can do, ooh (ooh)Sugar pie, honey bunchSugar pie, honey bunchYou know that I love youOoh, sugar pie, honey bunchYou know that I love youI can’t help myselfI love you and nobody elseWanna tell you I don’t love youTell you that we’re through, and I triedBut every time I see your face (can’t help myself)I get all choked up insideWhen I call your nameGirl, it starts to flame (burning in my heart, tearing it all apart)No matter how I tryMy love, I cannot hideOoh, sugar pie, honey bunchYou know that I love youI can’t help myselfI love you and nobody elseOoh, sugar pie, honey bunchYou know that I love youI can’t help myselfI love you and nobody elseOoh, sugar pie, honey bunchYou know that I love youI can’t help myselfI love you and nobody elseIn and out my life (in and out my life)You come, and you go (you come and you go)Leaving just your picture behind (ooh)And I’ve kissed it a thousand times (ooh)When you snap your finger, or wink your eye, I come a-running to youI’m tied to your apron stringsAnd there’s nothing that I can do (ooh)