People...Hold On

Last updated
People...Hold On
Front cover of Eddie Kendricks album People ... Hold On, Tamla, 1972.jpg
Studio album by
Eddie Kendricks
ReleasedMay 1972
RecordedJanuary 1972
Genre
Length41:46
Label Tamla Records
Producer
Eddie Kendricks chronology
All by Myself
(1971)		People...Hold On
(1972)		 Eddie Kendricks
(1973)
Singles from People...Hold On
  1. "Eddie's Love"
    Released: March 23, 1972
  2. "If You Let Me"
    Released: August 31, 1972
  3. "Girl You Need a Change of Mind"
    Released: January 9, 1973

People...Hold On is the second studio album by the American singer Eddie Kendricks, released in May 1972, by Tamla Records. His second album after leaving the Temptations in 1971, it proved to be his breakout album. The album took some time to gain traction, with sales gradually building, particularly in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Six months after its release, the album charted at number 131 on the Billboard Top LPs and Tape and number 13 on Soul LPs.

Contents

The album was recorded in the Hitsville U.S.A. studio, and it was one of the last project completed there before Motown's move to Los Angeles. It marked a departure from Kendricks' previous pop-oriented sound, embracing a more socially conscious and urban style. The album produced three singles, with "Girl You Need a Change of Mind" standing out as a prototype of disco records and becoming popular in New York City dance clubs. Other tracks explored themes of love and spirituality.

Background and recording

Eddie Kendricks in 1972. Eddie Kendricks (1972).png
Eddie Kendricks in 1972.

Eddie Kendricks had been a founding member of the Temptations since 1960. However, by 1971, the internal drama within the group had taken a toll on him. Seeking a fresh start, Kendricks signed a solo deal with Motown, marking the beginning of his solo career. [1] [2] In April 1971, Kendricks released his debut solo album, All by Myself , which peaked at number 80 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape. [3]

That same year, he discovered the band the Young Senators, who had formed in 1965 and had just released their debut single, "Jungle," which rose to number one on local and regional R&B music charts. Kendricks met the band's leader, Jimi Dougans, and asked him if they wanted to be his backing band on tours, and Dougans agreed without consulting the other members. [4] The Young Senators began touring with Kendricks the following year and started recording his next album. [5] [6]

The album was recorded in January 1972 and was one of the last albums to be recorded at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. studio before the label's move to Los Angeles. According to Dougans, Kendricks, along with the engineers, producers, and session musicians, stayed up until three o'clock in the morning to record the track "Girl You Need a Change of Mind." [5]

Music

The Young Senators, who toured with Kendricks and played on People...Hold On. The Young Senators, 1970s.jpg
The Young Senators, who toured with Kendricks and played on People...Hold On.

People...Hold On is noted for being less pop-oriented, with DownBeat describing the music as "the sound of the streets." The tracks "If You Let Me" and "Eddie's Love," both released as singles, featured two-step rhythms and horn charts that were "steeped in an urban sound," created to resonate with a specific demographic rather than appealing to all of the United States. [5] The third single, "Girl You Need a Change of Mind," is noted for its gospel influence, with Frank Wilson's production featuring strings and a breakdown and buildup. [7] This track has been described as a prototype for the disco genre and later became popular in New York City dance clubs. [8] [9] In the song, he touches on women's rights, questioning the process and expressing his concerns by asking why women marched in picket lines. [10] [11] The track runs for nearly eight minutes, with a radio version being released by Motown. [12] [13]

"My People...Hold On" uses a syncopated chant and African percussion, with Kendricks alternating between his falsetto and a deeper voice throughout the track. He described the song to Disc as "a spiritual song," encouraging people to hold on to love, emphasizing its lasting importance. [14] [15] "Someday We’ll Have A Better World" features Kendricks dreaming of a utopian world, while "Day by Day" portrays Kendricks wanting comfort from a broken heart in the rainfall. [16] [17]

Reception and commercial performance

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [18]

The album charted moderately well, peaking at number 13 on Billboard ’s Soul LPs chart and reaching number 131 on the Top LPs & Tape. [19] [20] [3] Billboard described the album as having Kendricks' "best performance to date" with "good arrangements and variety." [21] This success helped to elevate Eddie Kendricks' profile during the early stages of his solo career after leaving The Temptations. [2] Lindsay Planer of AllMusic described People...Hold On as "dabbling with communally conscious soul and making initial forays into dance music that would predate disco," giving the album 4.5 out of 5 stars. [18]

Andrew Hamilton described People...Hold On as an example of why best-of and greatest-hits compilations aren't definitive, saying that much of the album's material went unnoticed. He praised "My People...Hold On" for its strong social message and highlighted "If You Let Me" as showcasing some of Kendricks' best vocal performances. [22] Jared Boyd of Al.com described it as an "expansive journey of sound," highlighting Kendricks' decision to create a "risky soul manifesto" instead of relying on his previous success with The Temptations. [23]

Impact and legacy

People...Hold On was released during a pivotal moment in American history, coinciding with the rise of the Black power movement. A year prior, Stevie Wonder released Where I'm Coming From , and shortly after, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On was released. The album marked a significant departure in Kendricks' sound, showcasing a more socially conscious and dance-oriented approach. However, Kendricks did not fully capitalize on this new direction and instead scaled back his sound in subsequent releases. [2]

Multiple songs from the album were sampled in other songs. "My People...Hold On" was sampled in Erykah Badu's "My People" from her 2008 album New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) and in J Dilla's "People" from his 2006 album Donuts . [24] [25] "Date with the Rain" was sampled in Lil Wayne's "Let the Beat Build" from his 2008 album Tha Carter III , produced by Deezle and Kanye West. [26] [27] Canadian rapper Drake sampled the song "Just Memories" on "Ratchet Happy Birthday" from his 2018 album Scorpion . [28] [29]

Songs from the album have also been covered by various artists. In June 2020, American singer Amber Mark covered "My People...Hold On" as a response to the George Floyd protests, stating that it was "time to bring more positive force into this world." [30] [31] The cover was the fourth track in her Covered-19 series, with the music video, directed by Mark herself with choreography by Morgan Marie Grayned, features Mark and dancers in white dresses performing on a rooftop. [32] [33] Pitchfork praised the video, describing it as offering "a nourishing vision of beauty that feels especially potent in this time of unrest." [34] In May 2023, vocalist Billy Valentine covered the song on his album Billy Valentine and the Universal Truth. [35] [36] The song "Girl You Need a Change of Mind" was covered by D'Angelo for the 1996 film Get on the Bus . [37]

Track listing

All tracks produced by Frank Wilson except where noted.

People...Hold On standard track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."If You Let Me" Frank Wilson 3:10
2."Let Me Run Into Your Lonely Heart"
  • Wilson
  • Anita Poree
2:59
3."Day by Day" (
  • Wilson
  • Caston Jr.
)
3:07
4."Girl You Need a Change of Mind" (
  • Wilson
  • Caston Jr.
)
  • Poree
  • Caston Jr.
7:30
5."Someday We'll Have a Better World"
  • Norma Toney
3:35
6."My People...Hold On" (
  • Wilson
  • Caston Jr.
)
  • Poree
  • Caston Jr.
5:40
7."Date with the Rain" (
  • Miller
)
  • Bobby Miller
2:42
8."Eddie's Love" (
  • Wilson
  • Caston Jr.
)
  • Poree
  • Caston Jr.
3:20
9."I'm on the Sideline"
  • Penelope McClendon
2:56
10."Just Memories" (
  • Wilson
  • Caston Jr.
)
  • Poree
  • Caston Jr.
5:50
Total length:41:46

Credits and personnel

Charts

Chart (1972)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [19] 131
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [20] 13

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Temptations</span> American rhythm and blues group

The Temptations is an American vocal group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as The Elgins, known for their string of successful singles and albums with Motown from the 1960s to the mid-1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music. The group members were known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Ruffin</span> American singer (1936–2014)

Jimmy Lee Ruffin was an American soul singer, and the older brother of David Ruffin, the lead singer of the Temptations. He had several hit records between the 1960s and 1980s, the most successful being the Top 10 hits "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" and "Hold On ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Kendricks</span> American singer (1939–1992)

Edward James Kendrick, better known as Eddie Kendricks, was an American tenor singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group the Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. He was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "Get Ready", and "Just My Imagination ". As a solo artist, Kendricks recorded several hits of his own during the 1970s including the number-one singles "Keep On Truckin'" and "Boogie Down."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ruffin</span> American singer (1941–1991)

David Ruffin was an American soul singer most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations (1964–1968) during the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known. Ruffin was the lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." He later scored two top-ten singles as a solo artist, "My Whole World Ended " and "Walk Away from Love."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</span> 1972 single by the Undisputed Truth

"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song originally performed by Motown recording act the Undisputed Truth in 1972, though it became much better known after a Grammy-award winning cover by the Temptations was issued later the same year. This latter version of the song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Girl (The Temptations song)</span> 1964 single by the Temptations

"My Girl" is a song recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) record label. Written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, it became the Temptations' first U.S. number 1 single, and is considered their signature song. Robinson's inspiration for writing "My Girl" was his wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson. The song was included on the Temptations 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey. In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't Too Proud to Beg</span> 1966 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 number 94 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs poll thanks to its inclusion in The Big Chill soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Get Next to You</span> Song by the Temptations

"I Can't Get Next to You" is a 1969 No. 1 single recorded by the Temptations and written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Gordy (Motown) label. The song was a No. 1 single on the Billboard Top Pop Singles chart for two weeks in 1969, from October 18 to October 25, replacing "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies and replaced by "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley. The single was also a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Top R&B Singles for five weeks, from October 4 to November 1, replacing "Oh, What a Night" by the Dells, and replaced by another Motown song, "Baby I'm For Real" by the Originals.

<i>Psychedelic Shack</i> 1970 studio album by The Temptations

Psychedelic Shack is the twelfth studio album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1970. Completely written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and produced by Whitfield, Psychedelic Shack almost completely abandoned the "Motown Sound" formula, instead delving fully into psychedelia. Along with the hit title track, the album also features the group's original version of "War", which became a major hit for Edwin Starr later in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)</span> 1971 single by the Temptations

"Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" is a song by American soul group the Temptations, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Released on the Gordy (Motown) label, and produced by Norman Whitfield, it features on the group's 1971 album, Sky's the Limit. When released as a single, "Just My Imagination" became the third Temptations song to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single held the number one position on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart for two weeks in 1971, from March 28 to April 10. "Just My Imagination" also held the number one spot on the Billboard R&B Singles chart for three weeks, from February 27 to March 20 of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Busy Thinking About My Baby</span> 1969 single by Marvin Gaye

"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" is a Motown song written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Janie Bradford. The song was first recorded by The Temptations as a track on their 1966 album Gettin' Ready. Eddie Kendricks sings lead on the recording, which was produced by Whitfield. Jimmy Ruffin also recorded a version with The Temptations providing background vocals in 1966. It remained unreleased until 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)</span> 1971 single by The Temptations

"Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" is a 1971 hit single for the Gordy (Motown) label, recorded by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield. Something of an early ancestor to the "diss songs" prevalent in hip hop music towards the end of the 20th century, "Superstar" is an attack at two former Temptations members, David Ruffin (who had been fired back in 1968) and Eddie Kendricks (who quit the act in early 1971 and negotiated a Motown solo deal). The song appears on the 1972 album Solid Rock.

<i>Cloud Nine</i> (The Temptations album) 1969 studio album by The Temptations

Cloud Nine is the ninth studio album by American musical group The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1969.

<i>Puzzle People</i> 1969 studio album by The Temptations

Puzzle People is the eleventh studio album released by American soul quintet The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label in 1969. Produced entirely by Norman Whitfield, Puzzle People expanded on the psychedelic soul sound of the Temptations' previous LP, Cloud Nine. Although a few straightforward soul ballads are present, the album is primarily composed of Sly & the Family Stone/James Brown-derived proto-funk tracks such as the lead single "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down", and the number-one Billboard Pop hit "I Can't Get Next to You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep On Truckin' (song)</span> 1973 single by Eddie Kendricks

"Keep On Truckin'" is a 1973 hit song recorded by Eddie Kendricks for Motown Records' Tamla label. The clavinet-featuring song was Kendricks' first major hit as a solo artist, coming two years after his departure from The Temptations. "Keep On Truckin'" reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Singles Chart upon its release, and was Kendricks' only number-one solo hit. It also reached #18 on the UK Charts. Vibes are played by Gary Coleman.

"Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. It was the group's first A-side release to be produced by Norman Whitfield, who co-wrote the song with Edward Holland, Jr. of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team. With Eddie Kendricks singing lead for the third single in a row, it peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop charts in the top 30 at number 26.

"It's Growing" is a 1965 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore and produced by Robinson, the song was a top 20 pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, on which it peaked at number 18. On Billboard's R&B singles chart, "It's Growing" peaked at number 3.

Leonard Caston Jr. is an American rhythm and blues songwriter, record producer, pianist and singer. He recorded for both the Chess and Motown labels in the 1960s and 1970s, and co-wrote or co-produced several major hit records, including Mitty Collier's "I Had A Talk With My Man" (1964), The Supremes' "Nathan Jones" (1971), Eddie Kendricks' "Keep On Truckin'" (1973) and "Boogie Down" (1974).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girl You Need a Change of Mind</span> 1972 single by Eddie Kendricks

"Girl You Need a Change of Mind" is a song by American singer Eddie Kendricks. First recorded in January 1972 and featured on his album People...Hold On, the track was co-produced by Frank Wilson and features Kendricks' falsetto vocals over a midtempo arrangement with gospel-influenced strings and a breakdown. Though not a commercial hit, it became an underground dance anthem in New York City and is noted for being a prototype for the disco genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Young Senators</span>

The Young Senators, currently known as The Young Senators Reloaded, is an American go-go band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1965. The band consisted of percussionist Jimi Dougans, guitarist Calvin Charity, vocalist Derek David, keyboaridst Frank Hooker, drummer James Johnson, saxophonist Leroy Fleming, and bassist Wornell Jones.

References

  1. ↑ Utti, Jacob (June 14, 2023). "Behind the Iconic Band Name: The Temptations". American Songwriter .
  2. 1 2 3 Ousley, Brandon (May 1, 2022). "Eddie Kendricks' 'People… Hold On' Turns 50". Albumism.
  3. 1 2 "Eddie Kendricks". Billbiard .
  4. ↑ Lornell & Stephenson 2009, pp. 74–75.
  5. 1 2 3 Contreras, Ayana (February 11, 2020). "Eddie Kendricks' 'People' Was No Accident". DownBeat .
  6. ↑ Teicher, Jordan G. (May 12, 2014). "Legends of Soul and Funk in the Nation's Capital". Slate .
  7. ↑ Heller, Jason (June 4, 2019). "Searching For Disco's Cro-Magnon". NPR .
  8. ↑ Echols 2010, pp. 14.
  9. ↑ Kiviat, Steve (March 21, 2013). "Remembering Leroy Fleming, Former Member of Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers". Washington City Paper .
  10. ↑ Anderson, Jason (December 5, 2017). "The 50 Best Songs by Musicians Who Went Solo". Spin .
  11. ↑ Leight, Elias. "The 100 Greatest Motown Songs". Rolling Stone .
  12. ↑ Caswell, Estelle (April 26, 2019). "Why disco made pop songs longer". Vox .
  13. ↑ Breihan, Tom (April 25, 2019). "The Number Ones: Eddie Kendricks' "Keep On Truckin'"". Stereogum .
  14. ↑ Jackson, Ashawnta (May 1, 2024). "'My People…Hold On': Eddie Kendricks' Spiritual Anthem". UDiscoverMusic .
  15. ↑ Darling, Cary (June 5, 2020). "50-year-old Motown protest songs still relevant today". San Antonio Express-News .
  16. ↑ Armstrong, Sam (September 27, 2022). "The Best Songs Of 1972: 66 Classic Tunes". UDiscoverMusic .
  17. ↑ Curtis, Deja (February 20, 2023). "Celebrate Black History Month With This Timeless Environmental Playlist". Sierra Club .
  18. 1 2 Planer, Lindsay. "People...Hold On". AllMusic .
  19. 1 2 "Eddie Kendricks Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  20. 1 2 "Eddie Kendricks Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  21. ↑ Billboard Album Reviews. Billboard. May 27, 1972. p. 53.
  22. ↑ Bogdanov 2003, pp. 387.
  23. ↑ Boyd, Jared (July 26, 2017). "20 forgotten Alabama soul albums that you should totally revisit". Al.com .
  24. ↑ Chomut, Christina (March 7, 2008). "Erykah Badu triumphs with her first CD in years". SheKnows .
  25. ↑ Boyd, Jared (March 8, 2007). "20 sick songs that sample Alabama musicians". Al.com .
  26. ↑ Kostidakis, Perry (June 10, 2018). "All Of The Tracks On 'Tha Carter III,' Ranked". Complex .
  27. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (March 24, 2015). "The 101 Best Kanye West-Produced Songs That Don't Feature Kanye". Spin .
  28. ↑ Saponara, Michael (June 29, 2018). "Every Sample on Drake's 'Scorpion' Album". Billboard .
  29. ↑ Price, Joe (June 29, 2018). "Here Are the Samples on Drake's 'Scorpion'". Complex .
  30. ↑ Peacock, Tim (June 19, 2020). "Watch The Video For Amber Mark's Cover Of Eddie Kendricks' 'My People'". UDiscoverMusic .
  31. ↑ Harris, LeTesha (June 19, 2020). "The Revolution Starts With Community In Amber Mark's Cover Of 'My People'". NPR .
  32. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (June 19, 2020). "Amber Mark covers Eddie Kendricks' "My People… Hold On" for Juneteenth". The Line of Best Fit .
  33. ↑ Cantalini, Chris (June 19, 2020). "Amber Mark shares a beautiful cover of Eddie Kendricks' "My People…Hold On"". Gorilla vs. Bear .
  34. ↑ Torres, Eric (July 1, 2020). "The 7 Best Music Videos of June 2020". Pitchfork .
  35. ↑ Murray, Robin (May 3, 2023). "Billy Valentine & The Universal Truth Share Inspired Cut 'My People… Hold On'". Clash .
  36. ↑ Le Gendre, Kevin (October 17, 2023). "Billy Valentine & Universal Truth bring the political funk to the fore for stunning Jazz Café performance". Jazzwise .
  37. ↑ Boyd, Jared (February 28, 2018). "25 covers of songs by Alabama artists that are almost as good as their originals". Al.com .
Works cited
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.