The song was written by Smokey Robinson for his group the Miracles, who recorded the song in 1960 for their first Motown album, Hi... We're the Miracles.[1] The song is a lamentation about an ex-lover, reminiscing on how their relationship went sour and wondering who's loving them now. A showcase for vocal runs, "Who's Lovin' You" was issued as a b-side to their first Motown hit, "Shop Around" (the label's first million-selling hit single),[2] and remained one of their most popular songs (becoming a strong regional hit in many areas of the country).
Though today this version is relatively obscure compared to others like those of the Miracles and the Jackson 5, it is to date the only one to place on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in 1967 on Dionn 501, Brenda & the Tabulations took this song to position #66. It was also a #19 hit on Billboard's R&B chart.[3] The gender of the lyrics was amended to fit the female vocalist.
The song was issued as the b-side to the Jackson 5's first single,"I Want You Back",which went to #1 on both the pop and R&B charts. A shortened version was included on the first Jackson 5 LP,Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5. The original single version was twenty seconds longer,with fewer backing vocals and sparser instrumentation than the album version. The mono single mix was released on Michael's Love Songs compilation release in 2002.
When the group performed the song during their concerts and live performances,Michael usually gave an intro about being really young but knowing about the blues,usually stating how he met the girl during sandbox and sharing cookies,and ended in "I stepped up to her and i said..." the song started from there. In their first concert in Philadelphia,it (along with "I Want You Back") caused the show to be stopped for several minutes because of such a huge response from the audience. It was a regularly performed/popular song in their set-list from 1970 to early 1972,presumably dropped from the set because of more hits being released and Michael's voice beginning to change in 1972.
↑ Jamerson, James (1989). Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson. Winona: Hal Leonard Corporation. p.88. ISBN978-0-88188-882-9.
Chronology(The band's name history: The Primettes 1959–1961 / The Supremes 1961–1967 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1967–1970 / The Supremes 1970 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1970 / The Supremes 1970–)
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