Can I Get a Witness

Last updated
"Can I Get a Witness"
Can I Get a Witness cover.jpg
Single by Marvin Gaye
from the album Greatest Hits
B-side "I'm Crazy 'bout My Baby"
ReleasedSeptember 20, 1963
RecordedJuly 17, 1963; Hitsville U.S.A.
(Detroit, Michigan)
Genre Rhythm and blues, soul, rock and roll
Length2:53
Label Tamla
T 54087
Songwriter(s) Holland–Dozier–Holland
Producer(s) Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier
Marvin Gaye singles chronology
"Pride and Joy"
(1963)
"Can I Get a Witness"
(1963)
"You're a Wonderful One"
(1964)

"Can I Get a Witness" is a song composed by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier as a non-album single for American recording vocalist Marvin Gaye, who issued the record on Motown's Tamla imprint in September 1963. [1] [2]

Contents

Recording

Recorded at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. studios on July 17, 1963, the song's lyrical writer Eddie Holland discussed going over the song once with Gaye, who had complained to the producers about singing their songs above his vocal range, something he would later complain about during recording sessions for his rendition of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".

According to Holland, once Gaye heard Holland perform the song to him, he nodded and stated, "okay I'm ready" to a perplexed Holland, who often had to work over the song a few times with other artists who recorded their songs. According to Holland, Gaye recorded the song in one take, which impressed Holland, his brother and Dozier. Holland would later call Gaye "the most versatile vocalist I ever worked with."

On the song, backed by a boogie woogie-styled piano riff played by Funk Brothers pianist Earl Van Dyke, Gaye performs the song in a gospel harmony with members of The Supremes and Holland-Dozier-Holland backing him up on background vocals. Gaye performs the song mostly in a tenor range but occasionally sings in both the baritone and falsetto ranges.

Release

Released in September 1963 as the follow-up to Gaye's top ten hit, "Pride and Joy", the song peaked at No. 22 on the Hot 100 on 28 December 1963 and also became one of Gaye's earlier international hit singles, making a buzz in the United Kingdom, primarily among dance clubs in London and northern England (particularly Leeds), and also charted in France where it peaked at number 29 on its chart. [3] At 16 weeks, "Can I Get a Witness" lasted longer than any other Marvin Gaye entry on the Hot 100 during the 1960s. [4] Gaye performed the song live at the T.A.M.I. Show and lip-synching the song while appearing on the Hollywood A Go-Go in 1964 and also on the BBC show, Ready, Steady, Go! in 1965.

Covers and later versions

"Can I Get a Witness" was notably covered by the Rolling Stones on their first album, The Rolling Stones in 1964. The Stones also recorded a self-composed instrumental sequel called "Now, I've Got a Witness" on that same album.

Dusty Springfield also recorded a version in 1964 for her second EP Dusty on Philips.

Stevie Wonder recorded a version of the song for his album I Was Made to Love Her , released in 1967.

Checkmates, Ltd. released a version of the song as part of a medley on their 1967 debut album, Live! At Caesar's Palace .

The Buckinghams recorded a version on their 1968 album "In One Ear and Gone Tomorrow".

English singer Sam Brown included the song on her Stop! album in 1988. Released as a single in 1989, her version peaked at number 15 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, number 17 in Australia, and number nine in New Zealand. [5] [6] [7]

The Supremes, who appeared as background vocalists on Marvin Gaye's original, later recorded a version in 1966; however their version remained unreleased until 1987.

Elton John performed the song at Bob Geldof's Live Aid Concert on July 13, 1985.

Lee Michaels followed up "Do You Know What I Mean" with his version of "Can I Get a Witness", which peaked at number 39 on Christmas Day 1971, eight years to the week after Gaye's version peaked at number 22. His version used organ chords that were similar to his previous hit "Do You Know What I Mean". [8] It was featured on his 1971 album, 5th .

Personnel

Related Research Articles

Martha and the Vandellas American vocal group

Martha and the Vandellas were an American vocal girl group formed in Detroit in 1957. The group achieved fame in the 1960s with Motown.

Holland–Dozier–Holland American songwriting and production team

Holland–Dozier–Holland was a songwriting and production team consisting of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland. The trio wrote, arranged and produced many songs that helped define the Motown sound in the 1960s. During their tenure at Motown Records from 1962 to 1967, Dozier and Brian Holland were the composers and producers for each song, and Eddie Holland wrote the lyrics and arranged the vocals. Their most celebrated productions were singles for the Four Tops and the Supremes, including 10 out of the Supremes' 12 US No. 1 singles, such as "Baby Love", "Stop! In the Name of Love", and "You Keep Me Hangin' On".

Aint Too Proud to Beg Single by The Temptations

"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is a 1966 song and hit single by The Temptations for Motown Records' Gordy label, produced by Norman Whitfield and written by Whitfield and Edward Holland Jr. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B charts for eight non-consecutive weeks. The song's success, in the wake of the relative underperformance of the previous Temptations single, "Get Ready", resulted in Norman Whitfield replacing Smokey Robinson, producer of "Get Ready", as The Temptations' main producer. In 2004 it finished #94 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs poll thanks to its inclusion in The Big Chill soundtrack.

I Cant Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) 1965 single by the Four Tops

"I Can't Help Myself " is a 1965 hit song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label.

Youre All I Need to Get By 1968 single by Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye

"You're All I Need to Get By" is a song recorded by the American R&B/soul duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and released on Motown Records' Tamla label in 1968. It was the basis for the 1995 single "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" from Method Man and Mary J. Blige.

<i>In the Groove</i> (Marvin Gaye album) 1968 studio album by Marvin Gaye

In the Groove is the eighth studio album by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released on August 26, 1968 on the Motown-subsidiary label Tamla Records. It was the first solo studio album Gaye released in two years, in which during that interim, the singer had emerged as a successful duet partner with female R&B singers such as Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell. In the Groove was reissued and retitled as I Heard It Through the Grapevine after the unexpected success of Gaye's recording of the same name, which had been released as a single from the original album.

Youre a Wonderful One 1964 single by Marvin Gaye

"You're a Wonderful One" is a popular recording written by Holland–Dozier–Holland and recorded and released as a single by Marvin Gaye, released in 1964 on the Tamla label. It charted at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Baby Dont You Do It

"Baby Don't You Do It" is a 1964 single by American singer Marvin Gaye. Released on the Tamla label, this song discusses a man who is at a standstill with his girlfriend, who he feels is neglecting his love stating "Don't break my heart/...I've tried to do my best".

<i>Marvin Gaye at the Copa</i> 2005 live album by Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye at the Copa is a live album recorded at the exclusive New York club, the Copacabana, where singer Marvin Gaye performed in August 1966, over a year following The Supremes' 1965 performance there. Marvin was only one of just a few R&B musicians after Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson to perform at the club where performers such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra had performed at regularly. Marvin was the second act from Berry Gordy's fabled Motown label following the Supremes to perform at the nightclub and would be followed by The Temptations in 1968 and Martha and the Vandellas that same year. According to the liner notes later on, Marvin's performance there was a success, however, an ongoing feud between Gaye and his brother-in-law, Motown recording boss Gordy, was said to have been one of the reasons why the album was eventually shelved with the duo fighting over how the album was to be produced. The album had been scheduled for release in January 1967 as Tamla 273 before its permanent shelving. In 2005, Hip-O Select Records, a Motown-associated label created to re-release or release unreleased material from Motown's vaults re-mastered sessions from this album and released it that year.

Heat Wave (Martha and the Vandellas song) Song

"Heat Wave" is a 1963 song written by the Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team. It was first made popular by the Motown vocal group Martha and the Vandellas. Released as a 45 rpm single on July 9, 1963, on the Motown subsidiary Gordy label, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot R&B chart—where it stayed for four weeks—and peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Come and Get These Memories" is an R&B song by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas. Their second single released under Motown's Gordy Records subsidiary, "Memories" became the group's first hit single, reaching number 29 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, and number-six on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Marvin Gaye album) 1964 greatest hits album by Marvin Gaye

Greatest Hits is a 1964 greatest hits album, the first for American R&B-soul singer Marvin Gaye, released on the Tamla label. Released during Gaye's first period of success, it was also his first charted album as a solo artist after making his album chart debut with the Mary Wells duet album, Together, the same year.

<i>Super Hits</i> (Marvin Gaye album) 1970 greatest hits album by Marvin Gaye

Super Hits is a compilation album by American soul singer, songwriter, and producer Marvin Gaye. It was released in 1970 by Motown's subsidiary Tamla Records and compiles Gaye's pop-R&B singles recorded from 1962 to 1969.

Your Unchanging Love 1967 single by Marvin Gaye

"Your Unchanging Love" is a 1967 single released by American soul singer Marvin Gaye on the Tamla label.

"Baby, I'm for Real" is a soul ballad written by Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy Gaye, produced by Marvin and recorded and released by American Motown vocal group The Originals for the Soul label issued in 1969.

When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes 1963 single by The Supremes

"When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" is a song written by Holland–Dozier–Holland and recorded in 1963 by Motown singing group The Supremes. It is notable as the Supremes' first Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 recording, following seven previous singles between January 1961 and September 1963 which failed to enter the Top 40. The single is also notable as the first Supremes single written and produced by Holland–Dozier–Holland, who had previously created hits for Martha and the Vandellas and Mary Wells.

<i>Playboy</i> (The Marvelettes album) 1962 studio album by The Marvelettes

Playboy is the third album by the Motown girl group The Marvelettes, released in 1962. It capitalized on their hit singles "Playboy" and "Beechwood 4-5789". It also includes the single "Someday, Someway" and "Forever", a heartfelt standard that would be released the following year as the B-side of the single "Locking Up My Heart" and join the A-side on the charts. Other compositions include "Goddess of Love", "Cry Over You", and "Mix It Up". George Gordy, William "Mickey" Stevenson and Marvin Gaye, who had produced "Beechwood 4-5789" all did some work on the Playboy LP as well.

"Locking Up My Heart" is a 1963 single released by Motown girl group The Marvelettes on the Tamla record label.

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) 1964 song performed by Marvin Gaye

"How Sweet It Is " is a song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye from his fifth studio album of the same name (1965). It was written in 1964 by the Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. The song title was inspired by one of the actor and comedian Jackie Gleason's signature phrases, "How Sweet It Is!"

"Too Hurt to Cry, Too Much in Love to Say Goodbye" is a 1963 song and single written and composed by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland. Credited to the Darnells, the performers on both sides of the single were in fact the Andantes, Holland–Dozier–Holland, Mary Wilson of the Supremes (B-side), and members of the Marvelettes, the Four Tops, and the Temptations. Nobody involved with the production on either side was pleased with the false credit. Whatever the reason it was done, it didn't work as the single only peaked at 17 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts.

References

  1. "Marvin Gaye - Can I Get A Witness". Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  2. The Complete Motown Singles Vol 3: 1963 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
  3. Allmusic review (Marvin Gaye version), AllMusic
  4. Joel Whitburn (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 . Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. pp.  272-273. ISBN   0-89820-155-1.
  5. "Sam Brown". Official Charts Company . Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  6. "Search the Charts". Irish Singles Chart . Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  7. "Sam Brown – Can I Get a Witness?". australian-charts.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  8. "Artist Search for "lee michaels"". AllMusic . Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  9. Liner notes. The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 3: 1963, Hip-O Select - B0005352-02, USA, 14 Oct 2005