The prompt from Jim:
Our theme this week is Delightful, Pleasant, Sweet suggested by Paula Light of Light Motifs II.
The 70s were all about Disco in America, but Motown was slow to move into the Disco arena. Several online sources make the statement that “Love Hangover” was the first Motown Disco hit. Written by Marilyn McLeod and Pamela Sawyer, Diana Ross recorded the song in 1975 and it was released in 1976. But there is more to the story.
When I find multiple sources that are almost identical in nature, it is hard to know who the original source is for the information, so I selected the source that seemed to be the most reliable. This quote comes from an online article by Sterogum journalist and senior editor Tom Breihan:
In the J. Randy Taraborelli biography Diana, Davis says, “Nobody really liked disco here at Motown… [Ross] was used to singing more lush songs by producers like Michael Masser, and the public sort of identified her with arrangements like ‘Touch Me In The Morning.’ She liked the lyric to ‘Love Hangover,’ but people thought I was a little off for even suggesting that Diana do this song.” So Davis figured out how to make the conditions right. He recorded her at night, served her vodka, and brought red lights and strobes into the studio. And he pretty much got Ross to do whatever she wanted, whatever felt right. So when “Love Hangover” really kicks in, it hits like a drug.“
Breihan, Tom. “The Number Ones: Diana Ross’ ‘Love Hangover.’” Stereogum.com, Stereo Gum Media, 5 Sept. 2019, 9:54 am, http://www.stereogum.com/2057118/the-number-ones-diana-ross-love-hangover/columns/the-number-ones/
There is something somewhat disturbing about the methods they used – specifically the alcohol – but there is no doubt the recording produced a hit song. This was Diana Ross’ take on the recording according to this quote from Songfacts.com so maybe I read more into it than existed:
Ross’ thoughts on the recording session are noted in the 2007 biography Diana by J. Randy Taraborrelli: “It was a spontaneous thing that we captured on record and if I had to go back in and do it again, I couldn’t have. The music was me and I was the music. Things came out of my mouth that I didn’t even expect.”
The Fifth Dimension also recorded and released this as a single. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. left the Fifth Dimension in 1975 so their vocals are absent from this recording. I read in several places that Diana Ross’ recording was only released on single as a result of the Fifth Dimension release (which only reached #80 on the charts while Ross’ single reached #1.)
I have included both videos so you can decide which one you prefer.
Love Hangover
Lyrics from songfacts.com
If there’s a cure for this
I don’t want it
I don’t want it
If there’s a remedy
I’ll run from it
From it
Think about it all the time
Never let it out of my mind
‘Cause I love you
I’ve got the sweetest hangover
I don’t wanna get over
Sweetest hangover
Yeah, I don’t wanna get over
I don’t wanna get
I don’t wanna get over
Ooh, I don’t need no cure
I don’t need no cure
I don’t need no cure
Sweet lovin’
Sweet, sweet love
Sweet, sweet love
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love
Don’t call a doctor (sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet)
Don’t call her momma
Don’t call her preacher (love)
No, I don’t need it
I don’t want it
Sweet love, I love you
Sweet love, need love
If there’s a cure for this
I don’t want it
I don’t want it no, no
I don’t want it
If there’s a cure for this
I don’t need it
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love
Song Lyric Sunday is hosted every Sunday by Jim Adams. If you would like to join in the fun, check out his blog for the rules and to take in all the other music posted by other blogger
Love Diana Ross
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It was quite a departure for her.
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Yes but so beautiful
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I can combine ‘Sweet’ with love, and offer this classic voice that is so pure.
Lyrics
With all my heart, I love you baby
Stay with me and you will see my arms will hold you, baby
Never leave, ’cause I believe I’m in love
Sweet love, hear me callin’ out your name
I feel no shame, I’m in love
Sweet love, don’t you ever go away
It’ll always be this way
Your heart has called me closer to you
I will be all that you need
Just trust in what we’re feeling
Never leave, ’cause baby, I believe
In this love
Sweet love, hear me callin’ out your name
I feel no shame, I’m in love
Sweet love, don’t you ever go away
It’ll always be this way
There’s no stronger love in this world (no stronger love)
Oh, baby, no (no stronger love)
You’re my man, I’m your girl
I’ll never go, wait and see, can’t be wrong
Don’t you know this is where you belong?
How sweet this dream, how lovely, baby
Stay right here, never fear
I will be all that you need
Never leave, ’cause baby, I believe
In this love
Sweet love, hear me callin’ out your name
I feel no shame, I’m in love
Sweet love, don’t you ever go away
It’ll always be this way
oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
(Sweet love) oh
So sweet
So sweet
So sweet oh, oh, love
(Sweet love) yeah, oh love
Oh baby no, sweeter love
(Sweet love) oh sweeter love
Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no no, no
(Sweet love) don’t nobody know
Don’t nobody know how sweet it is
(Sweet love) how sweet it is
Love me sweetly, baby
Just leave me sweetly, baby
(Sweet love)
Don’t nobody know
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Gary Bias / Anita Baker / Louis A. Johnson
Sweet Love lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Best wishes, Pete.
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Beautiful song and Anita’s silky smooth voice brighgs the lyrics to life, Pete.
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I much prefer the Diana Ross original which she obviously enjoyed singing. Never heard this before, very enjoyable, thanks Maggie.
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I remember the Diana Ross version Maggie, but this is my first time hearing the Fifth Dimension version. Fifth Dimension is going to be doing a show in Oct or Nov right in the town that I live in.
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I always liked the Fifth Dimension, but after the power duo left, I’m not sure they had much success. It is always I interesting to compare versions of a song. It’s hard to beat a voice like Diana Ross.
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She was the Queen, well her and Aretha.
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Cannot argue with that!
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Diana’s disco period was not a good one for her. You have to give her credit for trying it, but really it wasn’t for her, kind of like Frank Sinatra’s bossa nova period. The 5th Dimension sounds great doing this, and I wish theirs had been the single.
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From what I read, John, Berry Gordy was not going to let that happen. Diana’s version was only released on her album up until the Fifth Dimension released their recording. I think if Marilyn McCoo had still been on board it would have had a better chance of climbing the charts. I love Diana’s voice, but this was out ot character for her. Donna Summer was the Disco Queen but I am not sure of her relationship with Motown.
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Nice song by talented people. Thanks.aggie. for giving us the lyrics.
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It was a time of very talented people.
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I think this song was in Diana Ross’s first movie Mahogany. I’ve always enjoyed it so thanks for the share today Maggie.
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I don’t think I ever saw it, Christine, but you could be right.
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It was a good movie for the 70s Maggie. Maybe you could find it on Netflix sometime.
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Great choice Maggie, but I can’t say I like it at all, sorry but for some reason Diana Ross and the Supremes leave me cold. But the choice is bang on 💜
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No songs hit the mark for everyone. But you’re right, it met the challenge. 😉
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Perfectly 💜
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