The 1962 hit song, ‘Do You Love Me,’ by The Contours was one of Motown’s first hits. Written by Berry Gordy, it was initially intended for The Temptations, but the group failed to arrive for the recording session. As fate would have it, The Contours arrived at a different studio to record “It Must Be Love” and ended up recording “Do You Love Me” instead. The song’s sexy sound stood out among the more tame offerings on the charts, dominated by artists like Neil Sedaka and The Four Seasons.
Joe Billingslea of The Contours revealed how they ended up recording the song in an interview. Berry Gordy played the song for them, and after several attempts, the group finally recorded the song the way he wanted it. When the song was released, it quickly rose to the charts, becoming one of the year’s most popular songs.
The same year, Motown launched its first “Motortown Revue” tour, showcasing their acts. The Countours were stars of the show, igniting crowds with “Do You Love Me.” The time also featured other Motown acts that had yet to hit, including Marvin Gaye, Little Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes.
The upbeat nature of ‘Do You Love Me’ has kept it relevant over the years, as evidenced by the numerous positive comments on YouTube. One user, Barry McHugh, commented on how much he loves the oldies and how they no longer make music like this. Another user, slownoman, reminisced about how he and his friends would dance like crazy every time the song came on.
It’s fascinating to think about how one small decision could lead to such a massive hit, changing the trajectory of both The Contours and Motown. If The Temptations had arrived for their recording session, ‘Do You Love Me’ may have never been recorded, and Motown may have never become the massive success it was.
‘Do You Love Me’ by The Contours is a classic hit that has stood the test of time. Its upbeat tempo, catchy lyrics, and sexy sound continue to attract new fans even today. If you haven’t listened to this song before, check it out because it’s worth a listen. Then, share it with your friends because it’s a song that everyone can enjoy.
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