The song was written by Ashford and Simpson prior to joining Motown. British soul singer Dusty Springfield wanted to record the song but the duo declined, hoping it would give them access to the Detroit-based label. As Valerie Simpson later recalled, "We played that song for her (Springfield) but wouldn't give it to her, because we wanted to hold that back. We felt like that could be our entry to Motown. Nick called it the 'golden egg'." [1]
The original 1967 version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was a top twenty hit. According to record producers, Terrell was a little nervous and intimidated during recording because she did not rehearse the lyrics. Terrell recorded her vocals alone with producers Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol, who added Gaye's vocal at a later date.[2] "Ain't No Mountain" peaked at number nineteen on the Billboard pop charts, and went to number three on the R&B charts.[3]
This original version of "Ain't No Mountain", produced by Fuqua and Bristol, was a care-free, danceable, and romantic love song that became the signature duet between Gaye and Terrell. Its success led to a string of more Ashford/Simpson penned duets (including "You're All I Need to Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Your Precious Love").
The Gaye/Terrell version was
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inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and is regarded today as one of the most important records ever released by Motown. Diana Ross & The Supremes recorded a version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" which was more faithful to the Terrell-Gaye original version as a duet with The Temptations. That song was an album cut from a joint LP released by Motown Records in 1968 on the two superstar groups, titled Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations. Diana Ross solo version[edit] In late 1969, after the Top 20 success of her first solo single, "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)", Ashford and Simpson had Ross re-record "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Initially, Ross was apprehensive, but was convinced to make the recording. The cover produced a version similar to gospel with elements of classical music strings (provided by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra), spoken word passages from Ross, with the Andantes, Jimmy Beavers, Joshie Armstead, and Ashford and Simpson as backing singers giving the song a soul and gospel vocal element. Motown chief Berry Gordy did not like the record upon first hearing it.
He hated the spoken-word passages and wanted the song to begin with the climactic chorus/bridge. It was not until radio stations nationwide were editing their own versions and adding it to their playlists that Ashford and Simpson were able to convince Gordy to release an edited three-minute version as a single. Ross' version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" rose up to number one on both the pop and R&B singles charts.[4] The single sold, in just the USA, alone, 1,245,000 copies becoming a Gold Record and, Ross, receiving a Grammy Nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This version is in the key of C
minor. Notable covers[edit] Australian singer Jimmy Barnes released an album of soul covers titled Soul Deep in 1991, including his rock version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". This cover reached #28 in Australia in 1992.[5] Also in 2000, Dutch airline carrier KLM used the Supremes/Temptations version in a commercial. In 2005, the Diana Ross version was featured at the end of the animated film Chicken Little. In 2006, Australian vocal group Human Nature included a cover on the second album of their Motown trilogy, Dancing in the Street: the Songs of Motown II. The album debuted at #1 on the ARIA charts. In 2011, the song was re-recorded by Paul Epworth and used in a commercial for DHL.[6] Personnel[edit] Gaye/Terrell version[edit] • All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell • Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and Detroit Symphony Orchestra Ross Solo version[edit] • Lead Vocals by Diana Ross • Background Vocals by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Joshie Armstead, Jimmy Beavers, and The Andantes: Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps[citation needed] • Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, with Valerie Simpson on the piano References[edit] 1 Jump up ^ "Valerie Simpson interview; Ashford and Simpson remembered". Chicago Tribune. 2 Jump up ^ Chin, Brian (2001). Liner notes for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell: The Complete Duets. New York: Motown Records/UMG Recordings. 3 Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 R&B and Hip-Hop Hits. New York, NY: Billboard Books, 2006. Print. 4 Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 501. 5 Jump up ^ Chart Position @ Australian-Charts.com Retrieved May 3, 2009 6 Jump up ^ "DHL Express presents "The International Specialists"". DHL. May 31, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
In October 1955 as Elvis' special advisor (Bob Neal was still managing Elvis), Colonel negotiated a recording contract with RCA Victor for Elvis. It should be noted that it was, at that time, the custom for the A&R people to choose the songs for an artist to record. However Colonel insisted that Elvis choose his own songs. Today it is common practice for the artist to choose their own material. . . .but Elvis was the first.
out his former partner, and claimed rights to the beginning of a catchy tune that would soon stick
Sissle and Blake became songwriting partners in 1915 after they met as members of Joe Porter's Serenaders. Their first song was It's All Your Fault. They got some help in writing it from their friend Eddie Nelson and decided to try it out on Sophie Tucker, who was known to be interested in promoting black songwriters. Tucker liked the song so much that she had arrangements made and used it in her act the night after she heard it. It's All Your Fault was published in Baltimore, and the partners made $200.
The Male Vocalist of the year was given to him in 1984 as well as the Top Male Artist and Overall Top Artist award in 1986. He had Number One Top Country Artist of the year award in 1987. George collected the Hot Country Singles and Tracks Artist in 1995 and 1996 and the Top Male Country Artist and Overall Top Artist in 1996. Strait obtained the Male Vocalist of the year and Album of the year for “ Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind ?”
For this analysis, the two album covers that will be discussed are a couple from the artist Kanye West. The first album is Late Registration and the second is Graduation. Although these albums have titles concerning school, the album covers have very clear differences. Both of these albums have a main attraction, the bear, which is shown to evolve not only in these albums, but past albums of this same artist as well.
(Comparing my views and thoughts on the stories “Silent Springs” and “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth…”)
As Edgar Allan Poe once stated, “I would define, in brief the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of beauty.” The two poems, “Birthday,” and “The Secret Life of Books” use different diction, theme, and perspective to give them a unique identity. Each author uses different literary devices to portray a different meaning.
Authors of great stories often use good technical writing skills. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast two short stories: Where Are you going, Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol Oates and Hills Like White Elephants by Earnest Hemingway. The comparison and contrast will be done based on their use of plot, point of view and character development.
The couple wrote over 100 chart hits together, including the Chiffons' "One Fine Day," the Monkees' "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the Drifters' "Up on the Roof," the Cookies' "Chains" (later covered by the Beatles), Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman" and the Crystals' controversial "He Hit Me (and It Felt like a Kiss)."
In the song they say “Who are you to tell me I’m not warm enough for
I have listened to country music since I was a little, as did my husband. For him, it's a reminder of a simpler time, helping his father farm, plowing fields into the night. For me, it's a reminiscence of sunning myself in my backyard over summer vacation. The twangy sounds of the guitars and the fiddles always seemed to make me feel at home. For me, country music is a way of life, therefore the reasons I will use in an attempt to persuade you that country music is better than other music include its deep history in America, the quality and content of the music and its relatability.
Motown’s first #1 hit was “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes in 1961. The song stayed on the Top Ten charts for 1 week, which was typical for this time period. Gordy, then signed Mary Wells to his flourishing music label. Mary Wells has a string of pop songs that reached on the Top Ten charts. The Distants were signed to his label in 1961 but you might recognize them as The Temptations. Also in 1961, Gordy signed Marvin Gaye, whose most famous song was Let’s Get It On. Gordy signed many artists like The Supremes, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy and David Ruffin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Commodores and The Jackson 5.
However, Woody never let the fame go to his head. “When Woody Guthrie was singing hillbilly songs on a little Los Angeles radio station in the late 1930’s , he used to mail out a small mimeographed songbook to listeners who wanted the words to his songs, On the bottom page appeared the following: ‘This song is Copyrighted in U.S., under Seal of Copyright # 154085, for a period of 28 years, and anybody caught singin it without our permission, will be mighty good friends of ourn, cause we don’t give a dern.
Throughout the years, Hank released many hits. He quickly recorded two more songs that also hit the charts, "Wedding Bells," and "Mind Your Own Business". Supposedly his song "Mind Your Own Business" was towards his wife. He earned lots of fans, who loved him and his songs. He wasn't the only person who wanted to be in the light. Hank's wife Audrey wanted to sing. Hank had let Audrey perform in his band " Drifting Cowboys". They recorded many songs together. Producers were not happy with the way Audrey's voice
.... Mountain Interval." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and Hundreds More. Bartleby.com. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. .