I'm Losing You

"(I Know) I'm Losing You" is a 1966 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label[1] and produced by Norman Whitfield.

History

This song was another step away from the group's softer records recorded with Smokey Robinson as producer, a change that Whitfield had begun with "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" earlier in the year. "I'm Losing You" features a much more dramatic arrangement than most contemporary Motown songs: a rock-styled guitar riff (devised by Temptations road manager/band director Cornelius Grant), sharp horn blasts, and the Temptations' doo-wop vocals paint the backdrop for one of David Ruffin's trademark raspy lead vocals.

As The Funk Brothers keep time with the song's James Brown-inspired beat, Ruffin pointedly accuses his lover of gradually slipping away from him. The closing vocal riff to the song's chorus had the other four Temptations call out an extended "losing you...!" shout in falsetto. The choreography for the line, with each member cupping their hands around their mouths as they shout the line out, became a Temptations standard.

"I'm Losing You" was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart, and reached number eight on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.[2] The single was included as the anchoring track for the summer 1967 album The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul.

The Temptations performed the song live on the CBS variety program The Ed Sullivan Show on May 28, 1967,[3] and in a duet with Diana Ross & the Supremes later that year, on November 19, 1967.[4]

Cover versions

• Among the most notable covers of "I'm Losing You" was a 1970 version by Motown rock band Rare Earth for their Ecology album. Rare Earth's ten-minute cover was edited for single release, and peaked one position higher than the Temptations' original on the U.S. pop charts, at number seven.
• The song was later covered by Faces and released on lead singer Rod Stewart's 1971 solo album Every Picture Tells a Story (due to contractual restrictions, the name "Faces" could not be mentioned).
• During the 1980s, on a Dallas, Texas-based Oak Lawn Records label, the song was covered by the group Uptown and transformed into an upbeat dance tune. This version achieved popularity at Dallas' famed Starck nightclub due to early play by DJ Rick Squillante and became a standard in many U.S. nightclubs, reaching the No. 80 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1987.
• The Jackson 5 also cover the song on their debut album Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5.
• Richie Kotzen, former member of the bands Poison and Mr. Big, covered the song on his 2008 album Live in São Paulo. His cover was based on the Faces version.

Personnel

Temptations version

• Lead vocals: David Ruffin
• Background vocals: Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and Otis Williams
• Guitar: Cornelius Grant
• Other instrumentation: The Funk Brothers

Rare Earth version

• Lead vocals: Pete Rivera
• Background vocals: Gil Bridges and Rod Richards
• Saxophone: Gil Bridges
• Drums: Pete Rivera
• Bass guitar: John Parrish
• Guitar: Rod Richards
• Keyboards: Kenny James

Rod Stewart/Faces version

• Lead vocals: Rod Stewart
• Guitar: Ronnie Wood
• Bass guitar: Ronnie Lane
• Keyboards: Ian McLagan
• Drums and percussion: Kenney Jones
• Mandolin: Ray Jackson

Uptown version

• Arranged by Scott Yahney

brokes version

• Piano: Brandi Broke
• Guitar:Skip Broke, Beau Broke
• Drums: Dustin Broke

References

1. ^ Show 50 - The Soul Reformation: Phase three, soul music at the summit. [Part 6] : UNT Digital Library
2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 571. 
3. ^ "The Ed Sullivan Show Episode 918: May 28, 1967: The Temptations, Robert Goulet, Jane Morgan, Pickle Brothers". Archived from the original on 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-07-04. 
4. ^ The Ed Sullivan Show: November 19, 1967: Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations, Flip Wilson Episode Summary on TV.com

External links

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics