Holland-Dozier-Holland: Top 100 Songs

l to r: Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland; image from irishtimes.com

Holland-Dozier-Holland Top 100 Songs

Eddie Holland was born 80 years ago today (10/30/193) in Detroit Michigan. Along with his brother Brian Holland (born 2/15/1941 in Detroit, Michigan) and Lamont Dozier (born 6/16/1941 in Detroit, Michigan), they formed the famed Holland-Dozier-Holland writing team. They crafted multiple hits for Motown for nearly a decade before leaving in the late 1960s to form Invictus, where they continued their hitmaking ways until 1973, when Dozier started a solo career. Links: DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia Entry for Lamont Dozier DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia Entry for Brian Holland DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia Entry for Eddie Holland Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. In the event of multiple versions of a song, only the song ranked highest in Dave’s Music Database is included. Songs which hit #1 on the following charts are noted: Billboard Hot 100 (US), Cashbox (CB), Hit Records (HR), Radio & Records (RR), Billboard R&B chart (RB), Billboard adult contemporary chart (AC), Billboard album rock chart (AR), United Kingdom pop chart (UK), and Canadian pop chart (CN). Holland-Dozier-Holland typically worked together, but individually they did occasionally collaborate with others and/or pen a song by just one or two of the team. Songs written by each of the three below are indicated: Brian Holland (B), Eddie Holland (E), and Lamont Dozier (L). DMDB Top 1%: 1. B-E-L: Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (Four Tops, 1966) #1 US, CB, RB, UK 2. B-E-L: Stop! In the Name of Love (The Supremes, 1965) #1 US, CB, HR 3. B-E-L: Where Did Our Love Go (The Supremes, 1964) #1 US, CB, HR, RB, CN 4. B-E-L: Baby Love (The Supremes, 1964) #1 US, CB, HR, RB, UK 5. B-E-L: You Can’t Hurry Love (The Supremes, 1966) #1 US, CB, HR, RB 6. B-E-L: I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (Four Tops, 1965) #1 US, CB, HR, RB DMDB Top 5%: 7. E: Ain’t Too Proud to Beg (The Temptations, 1966) #1 RB 8. B-E-L: Baby I Need Your Loving (Four Tops, 1964) 9. B: Please Mr. Postman (The Marvelletes, 1961) #1 US, RB 10. B-E-L: Heat Wave (Martha & the Vandellas, 1963) #1 RB 11. B-E-L: You Keep Me Hangin’ On (The Supremes, 1966) #1 US, CB, HR, RB 12. B-E-L: Roll with It (Steve Winwood, 1988) #1 US, CB, RR, AC, AR, CN 13. B-E-L: How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You (Marvin Gaye, 1964) 14. B-E-L: Come See About Me (The Supremes, 1964) #1 US, CB, HR, CN 16. B-E-L: I Hear a Symphony (The Supremes, 1965) #1 US, CB, HR 18. L: Two Hearts (Phil Collins, 1988) #1 US, CB, RR, AC, CN 19. B-E-L: This Old Heart of Mine (The Isley Brothers, 1966) 20. B-E-L: Back in My Arms Again (The Supremes, 1966) #1 US, CB, RB, CN DMDB Top 10%: 21. B-E-L: Standing in the Shadows of Love (Four Tops, 1966) 22. E: I Know I’m Losing You (The Temptations, 1966) #1 RB 23. B-E-L: Bernadette (Four Tops, 1967) 24. B-E-L: It’s the Same Old Song (Four Tops, 1965) 25. B-E-L: Reflections (The Supremes, 1967) 27. B-E-L: The Happening (The Supremes, 1967) #1 US, CB, HR 28. E: Beauty Is Only Skin Deep (The Temptations, 1966) #1 RB 29. B-E-L: Can I Get a Witness (Marvin Gaye, 1963) 30. B-E-L: Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) (The Doobie Brothers, 1975) DMDB Top 20%: 31. B-E-L: Jimmy Mack (Martha & the Vandellas, 1967) #1 RB 32. B-E-L: When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes (The Supremes, 1963) 33. B-E-L: Give Me Just a Little More Time (Chairmen of the Board, 1970) 34. B-E-L: Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart (The Supremes, 1966) 35. B-E-L: I’m a Road Runner (Jr. Walker & the All-Stars, 1966) 36. B-E-L: My World Is Empty Without You (The Supremes, 1965) 37. B-E-L: Heaven Must Have Sent You (Bonnie Pointer, 1979) 38. B-E-L: In and Out of Love (The Supremes, 1967) 39. B-E-L: Forever Came Today (The Supremes, 1968) 40. B-E-L: You’re a Wonderful One (Marvin Gaye, 1964) 41. B-E-L: Nothing But Heartache (The Supremes, 1965) 42. E: Too Many Fish in the Sea (The Marvelettes, 1964) 43. B-E-L: Come “Round Here, I’m the One You Need (The Miracles, 1966) 44. B-E: We’re Almost There (Michael Jackson, 1975) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 45. B-E-L: You Keep Running Away (Four Tops, 1967) 46. B-E-L: Run, Run, Run (The Supremes, 1964) 47. E: Girl, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue (The Temptations, 1964) 48. B-E-L: Come and Get These Memories (Martha & the Vandellas, 1963) 49. E: He Was Really Sayin’ Something (The Velvelettes, 1965) 50. B-E-L: Leaving Here (Eddie Holland, 1964) 51. E: All I Need (The Temptations, 1967) 52. E: Loneliness Made Me Realize It’s You That I Need (The Temptations, 1967) 53. B-E-L: Mickey’s Monkey (The Miracles, 1963) 54. B-E-L: Baby Don’t You Do It (Marvin Gaye, 1964) 55. B-E-L: 7 Rooms of Gloom (Four Tops, 1967) 56. B-E: Just a Little Bit of You (Michael Jackson, 1975) 57. B-E-L: Something About You (Four Tops, 1965) 58. B-E-L: Little Darling, I Need You (Marvin Gaye, 1966) 59. B-E-L: Shake Me, Wake Me When It’s Over (Four Tops, 1966) 60. B-E-L: You’ve Got Me Dangling on a String (Chairmen of the Board, 1970) 61. B-E-L: Everything’s Tuesday (Chairmen of the Board, 1970) 62. B-E: I’m Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking (The Supremes, 1976) 63. B-L: Chairman of the Board (The Chairmen of the Board, 1971) 64. B-E: Keep Holding On (The Temptations, 1975) 65. B-E-L: I Gotta Dance to Keep from Crying (The Miracles, 1963) 66. B-E-L: Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things (Martha & the Vandellas, 1965) 67. E: The Girl’s Alright with Me (The Temptations, 1964) 68. B-E-L: Your Unchanging Love (Marvin Gaye, 1966) 69. B-E-L: I’m Ready for Love (Martha & the Vandellas, 1966) 70. B-E-L: You Lost the Sweetest Boy (Mary Wells, 1963) 71. B-E-L: I’m in a Different World (Four Tops, 1968) 72. B-E-L: Deeper and Deeper (Freda Payne, 1970) 73. B-E-L: Why Can’t We Be Lovers (Holland-Dozier, 1972) 74. B: Playboy (The Marvelletes, 1962) 75. B-E: You’re My Driving Wheel (The Supremes, 1976) 76. B-E-L: I Guess I’ll Always Love You (The Isley Brothers, 1966) 77. B-E-L: Helpless (Kim Weston, 1966) 78. B-E-L; Quicksand (Martha & the Vandellas, 1963) 79. B-L: Cherish What Is Dear to You While It’s Near to You (Freda Payne, 1971) 80. B: Twistin’ Postman (The Marvelettes, 1962) 81. B: Greetings, This Is Uncle Same (The Monitors, 1966) 82. B-E-L: There’s a Ghost in My House (The Fall, 1987) 83. B-E-L: Locking Up My Heart (The Marvelettes, 1963) 84. B-L: Forever (The Marvelettes, 1963) 85. B-E-L: Without the One You Love, Life’s Not Worthwhile (Four Tops, 1964) 86. E: Gotta See Jane (R. Dean Taylor, 1968) 87. E: Everything Is Good About You (The Lettermen, 1971) 88. B-E-L: Put Yourself in My Place (The Elgins, 1966) 89. B-E-L: In My Lonely Room (Martha & the Vandellas, 1964) 90. B-E-L: Live Wire (Martha & the Vandellas, 1964) 91. B-E-L: Just Ain’t Enough (Eddie Holland, 1964) 92. B-E-L: Candy to Me (Eddie Holland, 1964) 93. E: All I Do Is Thing of You (Troop, 1990) #1 RB 94. E: Everybody Needs Love (Gladys Knight & the Pips, 1967) 95. B-E-L: Westbound #69 (The Flaming Ember, 1970) 96. B-E-L: The Day I Found Myself (The Honey Cone, 1972) 97. B-E-L: Crumbs Off the Table (Glass House, 1969) 98. B-E-L: Girls It Ain’t Easy (The Honey Cone, 1969) 99. B-E-L: While You’re Out Looking for Sugar (The Honey Cone, 1969) 100. B-L: You Brought the Joy (Freda Payne, 1971) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Brian Holland DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Lamont Dozier DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Eddie Holland Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists” First posted 12/16/2019; last updated 10/28/2023.

Today in Music (1961): Motown achieved its first #1

Please Mr. Postman The Marvelettes

Writer(s): Brian Holland, Robert Bateman, William Garrett, Georgia Dobbins, Freddie Gorman (see lyrics here) Released: August 21, 1961 First Charted: September 4, 1961 Peak: 11 US, 2 CB, 2 HR, 17 RB (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.2 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 2.0 radio, 75.7 video, 180.99 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Not only was “Please Mr. Postman” the debut single for the Marvelettes, but it was the first Motown song to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song took a then-record fifteen weeks to reach the summit. FB It also topped the R&B charts. The Beatles notably covered the song for their 1963 album With the Beatles and the Carpenters took the song back to the top of the pop charts in 1975. The group, originally called the Casinyets, formed in high school. In 1961, they entered the school’s talent show knowing the winner would get an audition with Motown. They came in fourth, but their teacher, Mrs. Sharpley, pushed for the group to also go to the audition. Motown was impressed, but wanted original material. FB Member Georgia Dobbins turned to her friend William Garrett. He gave her a blues song which she reworked for the group. Sadly, Dobbins had to drop out of the group to care for her sick mother so the final version of the song featured Gladys Horton on lead. The song and group underwent still more changes when Motown chief Berry Gordy renamed the group and brought in songwriters Brian Holland and Robert Bateman to rework the song again. WK The final rendition featured Motown’s legendary studio team the Funk Brothers. The song wasn’t just the launch of Motown, but a quintessential slice of the girl group sound with “frothy harmonies, Horton’s gritty lead, a nifty blues piano, and some remarkably funky drumming by the young Marvin Gaye.” DM Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The Marvelettes FB Fred Bronson (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 101. DM Dave Marsh (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. New American Library: New York, NY. Page 434. First posted 12/11/2011; last updated 1/20/2024.

50 years ago: The Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love” hit #1

You Can’t Hurry Love The Supremes

Writer(s): Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland (see lyrics here) Released: July 25, 1966 First Charted: August 5, 1966 Peak: 12 US, 11 CB, 11 GR, 12 HR, 12 RB, 3 UK, 3 CN, 6 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 5.0 radio, 10.0 video, 366.54 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “You Can’t Hurry Love” was the seventh chart-topper from the Supremes. Like its predecessors, it was written by the Motown songwriting and production trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Billboard magazine described it as “the group’s most exciting side to date.” WK “Every one of the Supremes’ hits had a big beat working for it, a four-four engine driven by handclaps and bass-drum hits. But none of the hits leading up to ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ had a beat quite that big.” SG “That beat is the focal point, even more than the vocals. Diana Ross and her fellow Supremes flit around that bassline like hummingbirds.” SG Lamont Dozier, one of the songwriters, said “It was basically a gospel feel we were after.” FB To that end, they were inspired by the ‘50s gospel song “You Can’t Hurry God, He’s Right on Time” by Dorothy Love Coates & the Original Gospel Harmonettes. SG It includes the lines “You can’t hurry God/ You just have to wait/ Trust and give him time/ No matter how long it takes.” In the Supremes’ hands, Diana Ross sings “as someone who wants to be in a relationship and who finds herself getting more and more impatient.” SG It “works less as a lonely woman’s lament and more as a piece of romantic advice.” SG Cash Box summed it up as a “pulsating pop-R&B rhythmic ode which contends that romance is a slow-developing game of give-and-take.” WK Phil Collins’ 1982 cover of the song reached #10 in the United States and topped the charts in the UK, doing even better than the #3 peak of the original. Dozier considers it one of the best covers of a song by the Supremes. FB Dozier would later co-write “Two Hearts,” a #1 song in the United States for Collins from the 1988 movie Buster. Resources: FB Fred Bronson (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 207. DJ David Jasen (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Routledge: Taylor & Francis, Inc. Page 221. SF Songfacts SG Stereogum (9/18/2018). “The Number Ones” by Tom Breihan WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/6/2023.

50 years ago: Four Tops “I Can’t Help Myself” hit #1

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) The Four Tops

Writer(s): Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland (see lyrics here) Released: April 23, 1965 First Charted: May 15, 1965 Peak: 12 US, 12 CB, 11 HR, 19 RB, 10 UK, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.6 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 3.0 radio, 32.0 video, 253.05 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Four Tops formed in 1953 in Detroit. They were high school students who sang jazz standards. They would record together for more than 40 years without any lineup changes – a claim no other group to top the Billboard Hot 100 can make. FB Their big break came when they signed with Motown after a decade of minimal success. They achieved their first chart hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” in 1964, reaching #11. The song was written by the legendary songwriting and production team of Holland, Dozier, and Holland – as were many Four Tops’ hits to come. The song was inspired by Lamon Dozier’s grandfather, who catcalled women, saying ‘Hey, sugar pie! Hi there, honey bunch!’” 500 The words were paired with a chord progression almost identical to a previous hit by Holland-Dozier-Holland: the Supremes’ 1964 hit “Where Did Our Love Go.” However, with Levi Stubbs singing lead, it became “all about conveying fervent passion.” SG Holland-Dozier-Holland knew how to use his voice. He “was a rarity, a baritone who sang lead…They pushed him into a higher register, so that his voice would sound strained and desperate. He had a preacher’s urgency, and that gave the group’s records a raw intensity” SG that wasn’t typical of Motown artists. It was the group’s first chart-topper and “defines ‘the Motown sound.’” FB Billboard magazine named it the biggest R&B single of the year and the second biggest single of 1965. WK It was also their first top-40 entry in the UK. Resources: FB Fred Bronson (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 177. 500 500songs.com (9/8/2021). “A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs – Episode 132: ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ by the Four Tops” by Andrew Hickey SG Stereogum (8/6/2018). “The Number Ones” by Tom Breihan WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 11/4/2022.