Do You Love Me
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| "Do You Love Me" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by The Contours | ||
| from the album Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) | ||
| Released | June 29, 1962 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | Hitsville USA (Studio A); 1962 | |
| Genre | Soul | |
| Length | 2:54 | |
| Label | Gordy G 7005 |
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| Writer(s) | Berry Gordy, Jr. | |
| Producer(s) | Berry Gordy, Jr. | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| The Contours singles chronology | ||
| "The Stretch" (1961) |
"Do You Love Me" (1962) |
"Shake Sherry" (1963) |
"Do You Love Me" is a 1962 (see 1962 in music) hit single recorded by The Contours for Motown's Gordy Records label. Written and produced by Motown CEO Berry Gordy, Jr., "Do You Love Me" was the Contours' only Top 40 single on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in the United States. Notably, the record achieved this feat twice, once in 1962 and again in 1987 (see 1987 in music).
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[edit] History
[edit] Original release
Berry Gordy wrote "Do You Love Me" with the intention that The Temptations, who at this time had no Top 40 hits to their name, would record it. However, when Gordy wanted to locate the group and record the song, they were nowhere to be found (the Temptations hadn't been made aware of Gordy's intentions, and had departed Motown's Hitsville USA studio for a local Detroit gospel music showcase). After spending some time looking for the Temptations, Gordy ran into the Contours (Billy Gordon, Hubert Johnson, Billy Hoggs, Joe Billingslea, Sylvester Potts, and guitarist Hugh Davis) in the hallway. Wanting to record and release "Do You Love Me" as soon as possible, Gordy decided to let them record his "sure-fire hit" instead of the Temptations. The Contours, who were in danger of being dropped from the label after their first two singles ("Whole Lotta' Woman" and "The Stretch") failed to chart, were so elated at Gordy's offer that they immediately began hugging and thanking him.
"Do You Love Me", the fifth release on Gordy Records, became a notably successful dance record, built around lead singer Billy Gordon's screaming vocals. Selling over a million copies, "Do You Love Me" peaked at number-three on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, and was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. An album featuring the single, Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance), was also released. None of the Contours' future singles lived up to the success of "Do You Love Me", although its success won the group a headlining position on Motown's very first Motor Town Revue tour.
[edit] Dirty Dancing
"Do You Love Me" was featured prominently in the 1987 Patrick Swayze film Dirty Dancing, reviving the record's popularity. Re-issued as a single for the More Dirty Dancing soundtrack album, "Do You Love Me" became a hit for the second time, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Contours, by then comprised of Joe Billingslea and three new members, joined Ronnie Spector and Bill Medley, among others, on a "Dirty Dancing Tour" which resulted from the film.
[edit] British Invasion cover versions
Like many American R&B songs of the 1960s, "Do You Love Me" was covered by a number of British Invasion groups. Two British groups who recorded their own versions of the song were Brian Poole and the Tremeloes and the Dave Clark Five.
[edit] Credits
- Lead vocal by Billy Gordon
- Background vocals by Hubert Johnson, Billy Hoggs, Joe Billingslea, and Sylvester Potts
- Guitar by Huey Davis
- Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
