Levi has a beautiful unique soul voice but he can also sing old classics like climb every mountain...my personal favourite songs are Only the lonely and still waters..
yep Just by doing a little research , he was a dedicated man and stayed with the 4 tops even after being offered a separate career. He also had a great marriage and just a classic singer with a powerful soulful voice
Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Four Tops, had one of the most distinctive voices in all of R&B, and he was a big reason the Four Tops were as big as they were. MORE MOTOWN, PLEASE! Motown was a hit making factory in Detroit throughout most of the '60s and early '70s -- from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to Marvin Gaye, from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles to the Jackson 5, from Diana Ross and the Supremes to the Temptations, there was no force in popular music quite like Motown. Go rent the movie, "Standing In the Shadows of Motown" and learn all about the musicians that played the backing tracks on ALL the Motown artists' songs. They came to be known as "the Funk Brothers," and they were nothing short of amazing. They were, in fact, the heartbeat of Motown Records.
Lamont Dozier told the story behind this song in a behind-the-scenes video for his 2018 Reimagination album: "I stayed with my grandmother when I was a kid. She owned her own home beauty shop, and when the women would come up the walkway to get their hair done, my grandfather would be pedaling around in the garden. He was a bit of a flirt, and would say, 'How you doin', sugar pie? Good morning, honey bunch.' He was one of those types of guys. My grandmother had a big bay window to the front of the house. She'd say, 'Look at that old codger - he thinks I don't see. I know what he's doing.' He was just flirting with his big smile. I'm sitting there on the porch watching this - I'm probably 11 or 12. I was like a sponge, soaking it up. Years later, at Motown, I'm sitting at the piano. I'd take these mind trips back to my childhood, and I'm trying to see what this piano part is telling me. Sure enough, there my grandfather is, pedaling in the garden. That memory comes to my mind's eye, and I know where the song is supposed to go. I hear him saying, 'Good morning, sugar pie. How you doin', honey bunch?' That's what started it."
In my humble opinion, The Four Tops were the greatest male Motown group, featuring the IMMORTAL Levi Stubbs on lead vocals. Nobody had a better voice in range, depth, and raw power. Honorable mention goes to Percy Sledge and David Ruffin of The Temptations.
This is my favorite Motown song of all time. I remember the first time I heard it coming out of a movie theater with my dad and brother in Albuquerque 1965. I have always associated that movie with this song although they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Big hat tip to Levi Stubbs - one of the best lead singers in all of Motown.
The lead singer is Levi Stubbs and he's one of my all time favorite singers. That man can sing! The Four Tops had a LOT of great hits - a few of my favorites: Bernadette, Reach Out, Standing in the Shadows of Love from the 60's and then from the 80's: When She was my Girl. Please do some more Four Tops.
The Four Tops - a great Motown group of the 60's, up there with The Temptations and Smokey Robinson. A couple other good ones are: "Reach out I'll be there", "Bernadette", Baby I need your Loving". There are several others. The group with synchronized moves were all standard with the Motown groups - male and female groups alike. Great music!! This was my husbands favorite love name for me "sugar pie honey bunch" - still is after 39 years!!
The summer this broke, I was 14. All the local city bands would learn this tune and at the school dances, they played this till we were exhausted. Wonderful memories.
One of their real early songs to check out is ASK THE LONELY (extended version. It’s old but the way Levi sings it with all he has and the beautiful harmonies…wow, rich!!
You Tube has Levi Stubbs doing an acappella of ask the lonely. Someone must have edited out everything but him singing.....see if you can find it, it's incredible
Levi Stubbs. One of the all time greats. My favorite is: "Same Old Song" Also: Check out "Mean Green Mother From Outer Space" in Little Shop Of Horrors. Levi kills that song.
The best of music is in the motown Era. My dad played motown and I've always loved it. Some songs make me think of him though and he passed five years ago.
Baby I Need Your Lovin is my favorite from the Tops. The Late Levi Stubbs I feel was the purest singer of all the Motown artist and yes even over Smokey and Marvin.
wife here..What an Amazing classic!!!....I grew up watching people doing "The Shag Dance" to this at Myrtle Beach.. "Undeniable Love" very relatable as I feel this way about my Husband...Very Special!!!
Love The Four Tops all my life, first as kid back in 1963 and I grew up Motown Town Sound, Thanks for the song ... Kids mades my day ... sweet soul music.
I find myself coming back to this song over and over. The Four Tops were brilliant. Reminds me of simpler times in my teen years back in the 90s when I started listening to Motown and falling in love with the music.
Now you ve done it! You ve opened the vault to more incredidible music. Four Tops, Temptations, Smokey And the Miracles. Sooo many hits. Reach out I’ll be there, My Girl, ooh baby baby
A classic song from a classic group. I still listen to the album, Main Street People. Incredible album that is still very relevant. Thanks for the reaction!!!
I love the 60s and 70s soul/R&B music. It was played on the radio alongside the psychedelic songs of the day and they blended great for me. My all time favorite R&B song is "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by Jimmy Ruffin. He had a great voice.
In my opinion: The Four Tops are the 'greatest vocal group' we've ever had! (And I could list a dozen reasons why.) Their harmony was incredible! Also, The Four Tops had an 'uncanny ability' to cover "hit songs." Their covers of Walk Away Renee, Mac Arthur Park, Do What You Gotta Do, and California Dreamin' are truly masterpieces!! 🎤🎤🎤🎤
My mom used to have a stack of 45's, (if you know, you know) and this was always at the top of the stack. When she was feeling lonely she would play this and dance and sing, (Great voice, Patsy Cline sound!!) with my sister, brother, and little old me. 50 years ago and it seems like, , , , I still hear that beautiful voice in my mind!!! Much love to you guys! Thanks for the memory!!!
The late great Levi Stubbs a fantastic voice and was able to cover quite a few different songs that require different ranges in his voice. I truly miss those days so many years ago when I could turn on the radio and hear him building out anyone of his many songs he was an absolutely great person and a fantastic voice.
I'm 65 and was born in Detroit and grew up listening to this all the time . There's so much more you have to listen to. Others have listed all the greats. You'll have to spend some time, but it's worth it
Love all the great Motown artists. They had real class & beautiful harmonies. Love the matching choreography steps that these groups had. The Four Tops had lots of hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving", "Ask The Lonely", "It's The Same Old Song", "Standing In The Shadows Of Love", "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Bernadette", "Ain't No Woman", "Something About You", "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)", "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" etc. The Temptations had a similar style & also had lots of great songs.
BJ you keep that lady of yours very happy she has such a beautiful smile and she just lights up when you do the things you do for her. God bless both of you may you have many years with love and understanding. Amen
The Four Tops have so much soul in these motown hots!! They made me happy in the 90’s as a teen surrounded by angsty alternative downer stoner music and reminded me it was okay to be happy!!! Still love to blare in the car on the highway!
As a kid there was the Supremes but the girls were all over that.When the 4 Tops came out with"I'll be there" they became my first fav. black group. [ next came Bernadette]
Love this song,love this group ,Thank You Motown.I love ALOT of artist that came up on MOTOWN since I was a small child.Thank y'all for reacting to this!!! I knew you'd love it too.Isnt it like inspirational good.... 💜Said you didn't know that they did something special, it's That Barry Gordy dust picking pnonominal artists.
When I was a kid like four, my parents had a 8 track. I could operate it , I liked the purple tape. It was the “Coaster’s “. I still know all the words to the song “Love potion # 9”., “Yakkity yak” and Charlie Brown”. Check them out if you want. My dad was a huge “Motown” fan .
[HQ] The Pointer Sisters ♪ Fairytale The song "Fairytale", a country song, written by Anita and Bonnie Pointer, reached number 13 on the pop charts, and number 37 on the country charts. Based on this success the group was invited to Nashville, Tennessee where they achieved the rare distinction of becoming the first black female singers to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1975 the Pointer Sisters won their first Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Fairytale" , and Anita and Bonnie were nominated as songwriters for the Grammy Award for Best Country Song. The song would later be covered by artist such as Elvis Presley.
Guys! You're both incredibly talented. Podcasting puts food on the table. I get that. You guys have to take the plunge. You're already married. Asia has classic brewing. I'm no troll. For some reason it kills. Maybe that Motown vibe is a good start off place. Creatively. That said, oh boy! You guys love eachother. I'll try not to be a wierd fan. 😂
Nothing like the Motown sound of the 60’s. “In and out my life, you come and you go. Leaving just your picture behind. And I kissed it a thousand times.”
The Four Tops. One of my favorite all time groups.
yep
Mine too!!
Their lead singer has to be the most perfectly named human being ever - the name Levi Stubbs just sounds like a powerhouse soul singer.
Levi has a beautiful unique soul voice but he can also sing old classics like climb every mountain...my personal favourite songs are Only the lonely and still waters..
Correction...Ask the lonely.
Levi Stubbs was my sister’s teenage crush in the 60’s. Now my daughter loves her some Levi too. It’s that voice. 😂😂😍😍
It was a awful shame to see him before he passed.
yep Just by doing a little research , he was a dedicated man and stayed with the 4 tops even after being offered a separate career. He also had a great marriage and just a classic singer with a powerful soulful voice
Asia & BJ, you'll love their "Reach Out I'll Be There" "Baby I Need Your Loving" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love"!!! All iconic songs!
Yep! All Good!
Agree. Especially "Baby I Need Your Loving", and I think you'd also like "Bernadette".
Keeper Of The Castle is my favorite song by them. So much meaning today as it was years ago when they made it.
@@karynmitchell2509 So Very True
Simple Game is an amazing song too, which often gets overlooked
I don't think it's possible to not love this song
Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Four Tops, had one of the most distinctive voices in all of R&B, and he was a big reason the Four Tops were as big as they were. MORE MOTOWN, PLEASE! Motown was a hit making factory in Detroit throughout most of the '60s and early '70s -- from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to Marvin Gaye, from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles to the Jackson 5, from Diana Ross and the Supremes to the Temptations, there was no force in popular music quite like Motown. Go rent the movie, "Standing In the Shadows of Motown" and learn all about the musicians that played the backing tracks on ALL the Motown artists' songs. They came to be known as "the Funk Brothers," and they were nothing short of amazing. They were, in fact, the heartbeat of Motown Records.
my favorite genre
Lamont Dozier told the story behind this song in a behind-the-scenes video for his 2018 Reimagination album: "I stayed with my grandmother when I was a kid. She owned her own home beauty shop, and when the women would come up the walkway to get their hair done, my grandfather would be pedaling around in the garden. He was a bit of a flirt, and would say, 'How you doin', sugar pie? Good morning, honey bunch.' He was one of those types of guys. My grandmother had a big bay window to the front of the house. She'd say, 'Look at that old codger - he thinks I don't see. I know what he's doing.' He was just flirting with his big smile. I'm sitting there on the porch watching this - I'm probably 11 or 12. I was like a sponge, soaking it up.
Years later, at Motown, I'm sitting at the piano. I'd take these mind trips back to my childhood, and I'm trying to see what this piano part is telling me. Sure enough, there my grandfather is, pedaling in the garden. That memory comes to my mind's eye, and I know where the song is supposed to go. I hear him saying, 'Good morning, sugar pie. How you doin', honey bunch?' That's what started it."
Thank you so much for this!! Levi Stubbs is the most underrated singers in music history!!! Good call B.J.😁
In my humble opinion, The Four Tops were the greatest male Motown group, featuring the IMMORTAL Levi Stubbs on lead vocals. Nobody had a better voice in range, depth, and raw power. Honorable mention goes to Percy Sledge and David Ruffin of The Temptations.
Yes and I love the way he refused to have his name featured above the rest of the guys like Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross did.
@@karynmitchell2509 Yes, and the same guys were together for 40+ years-no changes. How many can say the same in ANY genre?
@@karynmitchell2509 Look for my reaction request for Martha and The Vandellas "I'm Ready For Love."-Elok Hsu's channel.
This is my favorite Motown song of all time. I remember the first time I heard it coming out of a movie theater with my dad and brother in Albuquerque 1965. I have always associated that movie with this song although they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Big hat tip to Levi Stubbs - one of the best lead singers in all of Motown.
Classic 60s Motown! What could be better. Let's Dance people.
Man, those days were so much fun.
The lead singer is Levi Stubbs and he's one of my all time favorite singers. That man can sing! The Four Tops had a LOT of great hits - a few of my favorites: Bernadette, Reach Out, Standing in the Shadows of Love from the 60's and then from the 80's: When She was my Girl. Please do some more Four Tops.
We talk about the era of the Beatles but for me it was about the era of Motown. I loved it so much.
Your reaction made my heart skip a beat. I adore you guys.
😊 thank you
The Four Tops - a great Motown group of the 60's, up there with The Temptations and Smokey Robinson. A couple other good ones are: "Reach out I'll be there", "Bernadette", Baby I need your Loving". There are several others. The group with synchronized moves were all standard with the Motown groups - male and female groups alike. Great music!! This was my husbands favorite love name for me "sugar pie honey bunch" - still is after 39 years!!
The summer this broke, I was 14. All the local city bands would learn this tune and at the school dances, they played this till we were exhausted. Wonderful memories.
Dang, this was one of the really, really, really old songs that I heard as a child (I'm 42 now) that I still think is good to this day 🙂
One of their real early songs to check out is ASK THE LONELY (extended version. It’s old but the way Levi sings it with all he has and the beautiful harmonies…wow, rich!!
You Tube has Levi Stubbs doing an acappella of ask the lonely. Someone must have edited out everything but him singing.....see if you can find it, it's incredible
Ask the Lonely is an underrated gem! Stubbs and the Tops are terrific!
Levi Stubbs. One of the all time greats. My favorite is: "Same Old Song"
Also: Check out "Mean Green Mother From Outer Space" in Little Shop Of Horrors.
Levi kills that song.
The Four Tops were an amazing group, with an unbelievable string of hits. There will never be super groups like this.
Classic Motown. Got to L O V E the Four Tops. Many other classics from them.
Such classic music! Glad people can still listen and groove to it. :)
Glad you enjoy it!
This song just screams the 1960s. A pure classic
This song we had played at mine and my husbands wedding for our first dance . It hold a very special place in our lives ❤️
The best of music is in the motown Era. My dad played motown and I've always loved it. Some songs make me think of him though and he passed five years ago.
Baby I Need Your Lovin is my favorite from the Tops. The Late Levi Stubbs I feel was the purest singer of all the Motown artist and yes even over Smokey and Marvin.
The original members were together from start to finish. Over 40+ years-no changes. How many bands in any genre can boast that?
They weren't just making music; they were making unity, loyalty and fidelity.
wife here..What an Amazing classic!!!....I grew up watching people doing "The Shag Dance" to this at Myrtle Beach.. "Undeniable Love" very relatable as I feel this way about my Husband...Very Special!!!
Love Motown & love the 4 Tops! This was a very good vibe!! Can't help myself!🎶💖🎶
Thanks for listening
Love The Four Tops all my life, first as kid back in 1963 and I grew up Motown Town Sound, Thanks for the song ... Kids mades my day ... sweet soul music.
I find myself coming back to this song over and over. The Four Tops were brilliant. Reminds me of simpler times in my teen years back in the 90s when I started listening to Motown and falling in love with the music.
Great stuff! But if you play Four Tops you have to show their performance! The moves! The outfits! The confidence! 😁❤❤
Now you ve done it! You ve opened the vault to more incredidible music. Four Tops, Temptations, Smokey And the Miracles. Sooo many hits. Reach out I’ll be there, My Girl, ooh baby baby
Watching you two is the best part of this reaction. That IS the way you need to feel about the one you love. Great song!
A classic song from a classic group. I still listen to the album, Main Street People. Incredible album that is still very relevant. Thanks for the reaction!!!
Motown was the greatest creation that hit music. You will love everything.
This classic song has been in so many movies and commercials.
Love the Four Tops, love any Motown music
Levi Stubb's voice is so powerful.
Motown CLASSIC!!!!!
Especially in the '60s Motown was a huge deal. I was a teenage buck and I loved the black music! We all did. It was the best.
I love the 60s and 70s soul/R&B music. It was played on the radio alongside the psychedelic songs of the day and they blended great for me. My all time favorite R&B song is "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by Jimmy Ruffin. He had a great voice.
Don't know how many times I applied this Song to my Life
As a Young Girl "in Love" lol
Cute Reaction bopping along, & Ohhhhhhh BJ ! What a Guy 😇
Two of my favorite Four Tops songs are the post-Motown hits "Keeper of the Castle" and "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)."
The 'Tour Of Duty' CD's taught my there was a male version of the Supremes, I was sold at the first few notes of Four Tops' evergreen 'Reach Out' .
In my opinion: The Four Tops are the 'greatest vocal group' we've ever had! (And I could list a dozen reasons why.) Their harmony was incredible! Also, The Four Tops had an 'uncanny ability' to cover "hit songs." Their covers of Walk Away Renee, Mac Arthur Park, Do What You Gotta Do, and California Dreamin' are truly masterpieces!! 🎤🎤🎤🎤
MOTOWN...what a sound of the 60's Love it!!
i'm 47 but my parents had a lot of Motown vinyl disc, tapes...they get emotional listening those songs, 60's...it was part of their lives and youth.
My mom used to have a stack of 45's, (if you know, you know) and this was always at the top of the stack. When she was feeling lonely she would play this and dance and sing, (Great voice, Patsy Cline sound!!) with my sister, brother, and little old me. 50 years ago and it seems like, , , , I still hear that beautiful voice in my mind!!! Much love to you guys! Thanks for the memory!!!
The late great Levi Stubbs a fantastic voice and was able to cover quite a few different songs that require different ranges in his voice. I truly miss those days so many years ago when I could turn on the radio and hear him building out anyone of his many songs he was an absolutely great person and a fantastic voice.
I'm 65 and was born in Detroit and grew up listening to this all the time . There's so much more you have to listen to. Others have listed all the greats. You'll have to spend some time, but it's worth it
Great reaction.. love the Four Tops
.more MOTOWN PLEASE
Great song! Turn back the clock for love!! So many memories!! Thx BJ!!
This era in music was the greatest. Imagine your first serious love and hearing this song on the radio.
Love all the great Motown artists. They had real class & beautiful harmonies. Love the matching choreography steps that these groups had. The Four Tops had lots of hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving", "Ask The Lonely", "It's The Same Old Song", "Standing In The Shadows Of Love", "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Bernadette", "Ain't No Woman", "Something About You", "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)", "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" etc. The Temptations had a similar style & also had lots of great songs.
You can get lost in their music. I always have.
BJ you keep that lady of yours very happy she has such a beautiful smile and she just lights up when you do the things you do for her. God bless both of you may you have many years with love and understanding. Amen
The Four Tops have so much soul in these motown hots!! They made me happy in the 90’s as a teen surrounded by angsty alternative downer stoner music and reminded me it was okay to be happy!!! Still love to blare in the car on the highway!
Levi Stubbs is one of my favourite singers of all time.
One of my fav songs of all time, hip hop included!
You guys should do more Motown in general: Four Tops, Supremes, Ojays, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, etc.
Yes. Have a Motown Day.🥰
One of the greatest singers of all time.
As a kid there was the Supremes but the girls were all over that.When the 4 Tops came out with"I'll be there" they became my first fav. black group. [ next came Bernadette]
Love this song,love this group ,Thank You Motown.I love ALOT of artist that came up on MOTOWN since I was a small child.Thank y'all for reacting to this!!! I knew you'd love it too.Isnt it like inspirational good.... 💜Said you didn't know that they did something special, it's That Barry Gordy dust picking pnonominal artists.
Me and my best friend danced and sang with them on stage...we had a blast!!! Love them!💖
One of the best voices ever. Period. And, oh man, that track laid down by the Funk Brothers. Perfection
Listen to the lyrics of the verses. It’s unrequited love. He’s crazy for a woman who feel exactly the same. It’s the happiest sound sad song ever.
Great song BJ & very smooth dedication, to the beautiful Asia
You two lovebirds make me smile! You have such wonderful chemistry together ✨You are a delight to watch & listen to! Thank you
So sweet! When you know..you KNOW! Love you two lovebirds! Always remain this wsy
Ahh yes, that Motown sound. Nothing like it
When I was a kid like four, my parents had a 8 track. I could operate it , I liked the purple tape. It was the “Coaster’s “. I still know all the words to the song “Love potion # 9”., “Yakkity yak” and Charlie Brown”. Check them out if you want. My dad was a huge “Motown” fan .
The Tops and Temptations!!!! Timeless music, will be relevant for ever!!!!👊🏼👍🏼❤️
[HQ] The Pointer Sisters ♪ Fairytale The song "Fairytale", a country song, written by Anita and Bonnie Pointer, reached number 13 on the pop charts, and number 37 on the country charts. Based on this success the group was invited to Nashville, Tennessee where they achieved the rare distinction of becoming the first black female singers to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1975 the Pointer Sisters won their first Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Fairytale" , and Anita and Bonnie were nominated as songwriters for the Grammy Award for Best Country Song. The song would later be covered by artist such as Elvis Presley.
That's incredibly sweet. OG move BJ! 😄
Right?!
Guys! You're both incredibly talented. Podcasting puts food on the table. I get that. You guys have to take the plunge. You're already married. Asia has classic brewing. I'm no troll. For some reason it kills. Maybe that Motown vibe is a good start off place. Creatively. That said, oh boy! You guys love eachother. I'll try not to be a wierd fan. 😂
some of the best music EVER produced.....
This was the first album I ever bought - back in the day!
They managed to turn out periodic hits throughout the 70’s & 80’s long after their Motown heyday.
Nothing like the Motown sound of the 60’s. “In and out my life, you come and you go. Leaving just your picture behind. And I kissed it a thousand times.”
another great Four Tops song is "Bernadette"... James Jamerson is the bass player on these songs and is legendary
Love The Four Tops and Temptations. Grew up with their music
As soon as the Funk Brothers come in with that Motown sound it's a massive feel good feeling. If you get it, you know.
TO BROWNWICK BOLLING--'THE KEY TO THE FUNK SOUND WAS JAMES JAMERSON ON THAT BASS GUITAR
Girl, he's got you.
Timeless music never ages!!! Thanks to the Funk Brothers!!!
Rock and roll was a whole lot more fun in those days.
This is the definition of feel good music. ☝️😏👍
The video is fantastic. Their dancing , and Levi's gorgeous man does the funky chicken. Pure absolute talent. ,. Won't never been the same
Iconic Motown! Mr Levi Stubbs 😍 Sooo sweet BJ. You're a very lucky lady Asia 💜
I am old as dirt - but we had "dances every Friday and Saturday nights in the girls gym playing old 45"s Motown made us dance,
I knew Miss Asia would love this. Aren't many things better than the Motown sound.
I wish for the two of you a long and happy marriage and relationship. The both of you are truly a blessing to all of us. Thank you for your channel.
I recommend What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted. There are three very good versions of this song: the Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin, and Joan Osbourne.
You two are a sweet, fun couple; watching your videos helps to brighten my world. I wish we lived next door to each other! 🙂
Good one. I was SO ready for some Motown.
Always been a great song! Thank you.
Great sound of the Motown Sound from the Four tops, plenty of great hits, have a listen to Loco In Acapulco from the film "Buster" or Indestructible
When you get a chance listen to the battle of the bands between the 4 tops and temptations….amazing!
Rod Stewart & The Temptations THE MOTOWN SONG soulful smooth 🔥🔥🔥
The Motown Sound---can't beat it.
Pure Northern Soul !!
DAMN! Y'all brought a smile to my face and a spring in my heart.. Love you guys reactions.. Thank you.
They have a lot of great songs. You could do a four tops listening party for a couple of hours easy.