Song #138 - "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" - The Four Tops

Recorded - March 31, & April 8 and 9, 1965

Released - April 23, 1965

#1 for weeks of June 19 and July 3, 1965. 

     Just like how there are the "Big 4" of The British Invasion, (Beatles, Who, Stones, Kinks), I'd consider there to be a big 4 of Motown singing groups as well. This includes The Supremes, The Temptations, The Miracles, and of course, The Four Tops. All four of these groups have instantly recognizable songs in their catalog, and have enjoyed plenty of crossover success on the pop charts. 

     The Four Tops consisted of Levi Stubbs on lead vocals, with Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, and Lawrence Payton on backing. Fakir remains the only surviving member and just like The Temptations, he continues to tour under the Four Tops name with a different lineup of singers. Of course, it's hard to consider this the same group, especially when their late lead singer's distinctive voice is what propelled their early hits. 

     After scoring two top 30 singles on the pop charts, it was third time the charm for the Tops with the Holland-Dozier-Holland written and produced "I Can't Help Myself", better known by its second title "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch". The song's opening instrumental vamp gets the listener's attention right away. When listening to the music, there a lot of parallels to not only the previous Supremes #1 but also their first, ("Where Did Our Love Go"). "I Can't Help Myself", on the other hand, makes liberal use of marimbas and strings, and also features a nice baritone sax part, and a more upbeat tempo. 

      Vocally, The Four Tops are backed by Motown session singers The Andantes, who give the song an almost gospel sound. It is Levi Stubbs who remains the main attraction. His strong Baritone singing voice is full with emotion, and because of this, every Four Tops song remains worth listening to. This song is certainly one of their more poppy entries, but it is nonetheless an enjoyable pop song. 

     The subsequent single by the Four Tops is perhaps a bit more well known, "It's The Same Old Song". Like its title perhaps mocks, the song parallels "I Can't Help Myself" in more ways than one. However, it would be in the following year that the Tops would record some of their most enduring and mature work. More on that, when we get to '66...

Final Verdict - While the Four Tops would come out with superior songs over their career, "I Can't Help Myself" is still an important stepping stone in their catalog. I certainly would recommend a listen. 

           Coming Up Next - "Mr. Tambourine Man" by The Byrds. 

           Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock and I can't help myself -