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Four Tops — Reach Out I'll Be There
Album: Ultimate Collection
Avg rating:
8.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2010









Released: 1997
Length: 2:53
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Now if you feel that you can't go on ''(can't go on)''
Because all of your hope is gone ''(all your hope is gone)''
And your life is filled with much confusion ''(much confusion)''
Until happiness is just an illusion ''(happiness is just an illusion)''
And your world around is crumbling down, darlin'

''(Reach out)'' Come on girl reach on out for me
''(Reach out)'' Reach out for me
Hah, I'll be there with a love that will shelter you
I'll be there with a love that will see you through

When you feel lost and about to give up ''(to give up)''
'Cause your best just ain't good enough ''(just ain't good enough)''
And your feel the world has grown cold ''(has grown cold)''
And your drifting out all on your own ''(drifting out on your own)''
And you need a hand to hold, darlin'

''(Reach out)'' Come on girl, reach out for me
''(Reach out)'' Reach out for me
Hah, I'll be there to love and comfort you
And I'll be there to cherish and care for you

''(I'll be there to always see you through)
(I'll be there to love and comfort you)''

I can tell the way you hang your head ''(hang your head)''
You're not in love now, now you're afraid ''(you're afraid)''
And through your tears you look around ''(look around)''
But there's no peace of mind to be found ''(no peace of mind to be found)''
I know what your thinking
You're a loner, no love of your own, but darling

''(Reach out)'' Come on girl reach out for me
Reach out, just look over your shoulder
I'll be there to give you all the love you need
And I'll be there you can always depend on me
I'll be there
Comments (151)add comment
 awhfman wrote:

That bass!!




YES!!   
 GingerandMe wrote:

Levi Stubbs was The Man.
What a voice.




YES!!   
That bass!!
Levi Stubbs was The Man.
What a voice.
An amazing song.  The beautiful flute/piccolo (Dayna Hartwick) in the intro sets off three minutes of pure joy for me.
 westslope wrote:

The Ultimate Collection was released in 1997 and the this single was released in 1966.  

Had me confused for a second because I knew I had listened to this song on CFRA AM radio in 1960s. 




Yes.  1966 release date.
That 1957 year is def not correct. 
Levi Stubbs, my all time favourite male voice. So, so missed and forever loved.
Be there to meet us my friend.
THE BASS!! THE BASS!!
The perfect 10. Just look over your shoulder!
ah my friend , i remember when we were like 10 or so. lol.  then we started to listen music... what record. thanks.
The Ultimate Collection was released in 1997 and the this single was released in 1966.  

Had me confused for a second because I knew I had listened to this song on CFRA AM radio in 1960s. 
 curtlichter wrote:

What a track!  The flutes and bass guitar at the beginning have a tempo and melody that have one anticipating the rhythm section coming in. And the Funk Brothers deliver.  The tempo falls into a pocket groove that continues through the remainder of the song.  Great stuff.



The ultimate rhythm section; James Jamerson, Benny Benjamin, Richard 'Pistol' Allen and Uriel Jones smile from on high ...along with the rest of the crew.  

2648 West Grand awaits your presence.   Hitsville USA, a pilgrimage well worth your time.

Hitsville USA - Hitsville U.S.A. - Wikipedia
As someone who came of age in Detroit in the 60's this song gave me goose bumps.  Thanks Bill.
I thought I was listening to Bernadette... Ok... 
 cosmicjoe wrote:

Something a lot of people don't realize is that Motown radio was actually based in Windsor ON. WKBW was famous for Motown music.




Actually CKLW was the call-sign. I live in Windsor...
A hymn of rejoice to us all!
 cosmicjoe wrote:

Something a lot of people don't realize is that Motown radio was actually based in Windsor ON. WKBW was famous for Motown music.



Any radio station licensed to Canada would have call letters starting with a 'C'.  WKBW was a Buffalo, NY station. 
Something a lot of people don't realize is that Motown radio was actually based in Windsor ON. WKBW was famous for Motown music.
I remember hearing this as a kid and over the years. I took it for granted. The quality is really there isn't it? Love it.
Bands like this kickin' it on the Ed Sullivan Show.  
Sunday night was always my favourite television night as a kid!
A "10" just for the transport back in time for me!
 mach-hog wrote:
I did. And she reached back. 😎
 

Look after the king of R n R please 
great song!
What a track!  The flutes and bass guitar at the beginning have a tempo and melody that have one anticipating the rhythm section coming in. And the Funk Brothers deliver.  The tempo falls into a pocket groove that continues through the remainder of the song.  Great stuff.
I did. And she reached back. 😎
My neighbor back in the 70's & 80's used to have a license plate "EVJ TOPS" which were his initials and the word TOPS because he was such a Four Tops fan.  Brings back memories.
Outstanding set list creation following Phoenix (a song lamenting an absent father) with this!
Some music just bring an automatic smile.   This is one of those rare treats.  
they just don't make music like this anymore
passionate lyrics
interesting chord changes and melody
(and rough recording--gives it a documentary feel!)
Long Live                                                                                                                                      Radio Paradise
My rating:                                                                                                                              9 -OUTSTANDING
Always thought they were singing "I'll be back." Now that I sing in a church choir, I've learned (still learning actually) not to close the 'r' on words that end in that letter. Prime example it is.
Those "Ha!" and "Ruff!" noises he makes are just SO PERFECTLY PLACED IN THIS EPOCH MASTERPIECE OF GROOVE!!!  HA!
It was the final song in a movie from the seventies "Cooley high" it was so great to see the heroe running on this beat, just after "it's so hard to say goodbye..."! Great memory!
TIMELESS and Guaranteed to Please... Yeah, it's kinda dated, but wow, how gloriously so! Dig the stereo separation on this recording!
This is one of my favs from childhood, about 20 years after it was released, it was included on a series of cassette tapes by the Shell corp and sold at their gas stations.  My dad bought each of the tapes (50s &early 60s, late 60s,&  early 70s, late 70s & early 80s) 5 tracks per side, one per year, something like that....anyways, this was one of those tracks and I'll always have fond memories of hearing this in the backseat.  Good stuff!  10!
Those "Ha!" and "Ruff!" noises he makes always seemed so out of place in this song to me.
High Quality Music
I think most people would agree with you. I certainly do.

gjr wrote:
motown really f***in' kicked it in their heyday......there were just too many artists, songwriters and musicians from smokey to marvin and the four tops and temptations and everyone in between......just an unbelievable confluence of talent and energy.  how do you rate the "motown sound"?  it was pop-funk-soul-r n b-jazz-gospel-blues all wrapped up in one dynamo of a recording studio.  some of the best american music ever made cam out of that tiny studio between '62 and '75.  if you dont believe me just watch "standing in the shadows of motown" sooo many great songs and sooo many great musicians....
jmoho 

 


 Skydog wrote:
got any records with Florence Ballard singing back up (hint, hint, hint)

 
There's only one which gets occasional play.
 Yea..I used to collect 'money bottles' and cash em in for gems like this.  verner wrote:
At 10 yrs. old, one of the first 45s I ever bought with my saved up allowance. Played it incessantly on my portable suitcase record player.  So many bebop memories. Great song.

 


At 10 yrs. old, one of the first 45s I ever bought with my saved up allowance. Played it incessantly on my portable suitcase record player.  So many bebop memories. Great song.
got any records with Florence Ballard singing back up (hint, hint, hint)
sweet, nice surprise
So, so good. What else is there to say?
Levi Stubbs kills it with the vocals!
4 x's GODLIKE      Rrrrrrrrrrrr Aah!!!
Got my head bobbing!  :-)
The_Walrus wrote:
Stop you in your tracks good.

 
{#Yes}{#Clap}
 The_Walrus wrote:
Stop you in your tracks good.

 
Yep  {#Clap}
 gjr wrote:
motown really f***in' kicked it in their heyday......there were just too many artists, songwriters and musicians from smokey to marvin and the four tops and temptations and everyone in between......just an unbelievable confluence of talent and energy.  how do you rate the "motown sound"?  it was pop-funk-soul-r n b-jazz-gospel-blues all wrapped up in one dynamo of a recording studio.  some of the best american music ever made cam out of that tiny studio between '62 and '75.  if you dont believe me just watch "standing in the shadows of motown" sooo many great songs and sooo many great musicians....
jmoho 

 
and I was "stuck" in Punk Rock City.  Darn. 
 PopKombo wrote:
when i was a kid i took much of this music for granted, as i listen to it now i appreciate just how good it was and still is

 
Well said!
This song is the reason I started playing bass 20-something years ago..thanks James!
The unmistakable, inimitable James Jamerson on bass.
Outstanding!!!  Always loved this song.
total classic. I don't care if it's corny, dated, cliched, or has aged like a can of beer. It's priceless. 
 The_Walrus wrote:
Stop you in your tracks good.

 

ABSOLUTELY !!!

 
The Funk Brothers!
      Iconic    {#Crown} {#Crown} {#Crown} {#Crown}  
when i was a kid i took much of this music for granted, as i listen to it now i appreciate just how good it was and still is
Anything by The Four Tops. Seriously.
James Jameson on bass! MMmmm
 gjr wrote:
motown really f***in' kicked it in their heyday......there were just too many artists, songwriters and musicians from smokey to marvin and the four tops and temptations and everyone in between......just an unbelievable confluence of talent and energy.  how do you rate the "motown sound"?  it was pop-funk-soul-r n b-jazz-gospel-blues all wrapped up in one dynamo of a recording studio.  some of the best american music ever made cam out of that tiny studio between '62 and '75.  if you dont believe me just watch "standing in the shadows of motown" sooo many great songs and sooo many great musicians....


jmoho 

 

Thank God I was here throughout it all. Motown was ubiquitous...
Stop you in your tracks good.
besides barry ryan's Eloise one of my favorites in those days on my "new mc player"
Now we're talkin {#Dancingbanana_2}
Not much for oldies - but the Four Tops transcend that. I was in the music business when they were making these hits and they were one of the few groups I always made sure I saw. Levi Stubbs was Motown's most outstanding voice, IMHO.
Unmistakable James Jamerson bass line.
{#Bananapiano}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananapiano} I'm Dancing I'm Dancing

Saw them a couple of summers ago at Wolftrap with The Temptations.  Truth be told though, if you went by the orginal members, it was really The Temptation and One Top.


{#Bananasplit}One of the many reasons I love RP!  Just when it starts to become just background music to my work, you play something that gets my attention and gets me moving.  Happy Happy!!
Ahhh...the memories....they were rockin' from 1953 to 1997 with the original team (according to Wikipedia). We danced with them all through high school (55-59) and college (64-68) and over the years. Wow, was it that long ago. Thanx RP.
motown really f***in' kicked it in their heyday......there were just too many artists, songwriters and musicians from smokey to marvin and the four tops and temptations and everyone in between......just an unbelievable confluence of talent and energy.  how do you rate the "motown sound"?  it was pop-funk-soul-r n b-jazz-gospel-blues all wrapped up in one dynamo of a recording studio.  some of the best american music ever made cam out of that tiny studio between '62 and '75.  if you dont believe me just watch "standing in the shadows of motown" sooo many great songs and sooo many great musicians....


jmoho 
Every time I hear this song now I expect to hear someone start talking about the DMC...
Its a Detroit thing.
 Stratocaster wrote:

That's what I say to my 28 year old son, who is a rabid fan of current music, especially indie stuff.  Amazingly, he agrees.

There is a lot of good current music, but it's not like this.

 
I do not disagree but remember, people who were over 40 in the 1960s probably voiced the same sentiments about the music of that era.
Levi Stubbs is the greatest, and perhaps the most underrated, vocalist of all time.  The best.
awesome!!
Oh hell yes!!!
Try to listen to this like it´s the first time you hear it. If you can, a 10 is inevitable. Unfortunately I can´t and leave this song unrated.
The Funk Brothers are Beatles level in terms of influence and talent, imho.
More Motown!  {#Dancingbanana}
 EditorTom wrote:
I am so sick of this song.    Repetitive, tedious, barely musical.     Please stop playing this.
 
Please go back under your rock, I think you will like it better under there.  Thank you.
 eswiley2 wrote:
What songs from today are going to sound this good 45 years from now?

{#Ask}

 
That's what I say to my 28 year old son, who is a rabid fan of current music, especially indie stuff.  Amazingly, he agrees.

There is a lot of good current music, but it's not like this.


As Bill says: "and now for something completely different":

Monty Python screenshot
I was 13 when this came out. It sounds as sweet as ever.

I'll beeeee damned!
 eswiley2 wrote:
What songs from today are going to sound this good 45 years from now?

{#Ask}
 
Absolutely.

greatest....++++++++++++++++
Sweeeet!
Brings back a lot of memories...love the way it segues into "Bitter Sweet Symphony".
Is there a rating high enough?

Perfection...the passion almost drips out of the speakers
The great Levi Stubbs - who later voiced the man eating plant in the musical film version of Little Shop of Horrors
What songs from today are going to sound this good 45 years from now?

{#Ask}
 sirdroseph wrote:
Great song, but man this just may be the most played song in the history of the world? Can someone look into that?{#Stupid}
 
More than "Stairway to Heaven" or "White Christmas?" {#Lol}

 sirdroseph wrote:
Great song, but man this just may be the most played song in the history of the world? Can someone look into that?{#Stupid}
 
It's THAT good

I'll be there...

Great song, but man this just may be the most played song in the history of the world? Can someone look into that?{#Stupid}
Classic!
 buddy wrote:
This always takes me back to when I had a paper route at 3am in the morning and this was a huge hit in heavy rotation, playing at least once everr hour while I rolled and then threw papers in the wee hours, my mom driving me around, my sister coming along for the ride.
 
What a great memory...and an awesome mom and sister for supporting you.  Amazing what comes to mind when "old" music (from any era) is played, eh?

Still love it! {#Music}
Stunning tune, on the soundtrack of my youth. MAGIC.
This song will always make me think of the film "Cooley High." That film, and what it had to say about race, had such a huge impact on me as a child/teen.
One of the greatest songs and greatest bands I've ever heard.
 DoctorHooey wrote:
rrrrrrrrrAUGH!

This is the stuff! A modern classic. 
 

Yes. Levi was the man!
Saw these guys live in '85? @ a Holiday Star in IN ~ loved it

Reach Out...
rrrrrrrrrAUGH!

This is the stuff! A modern classic. 
They believed in the music.  I love this song, and will always love it... {#Sunny}
blast from the past... haven't heard this since I was like 8 years old.
I am so sick of this song.    Repetitive, tedious, barely musical.     Please stop playing this.
Maybe this sounds ok from old car speakers but not on a nice hifi! Anyway, i am not a fan of it!!
LOVE IT! {#Bananasplit}
wow...wow...wow!!!!  timeless!
hard to top god what a 10
{#Eek}

{#Dancingbanana_2}
YES !!!!!!  HA !!!!

Back to KHJ, KRLA and when KFWB used to play music.

Muchas Graciass.

10

10.
Words still ring true today!!
  Q: Why did Paul McCartney emulate James Jamerson?

A: Rent Standing in the Shadows of Motown to learn the Funk Brothers story (click image)!

Damn!  Just missed it...{#Cry}