Tammi:

Brenda:

Stevie:

(Betty Wright, MJ, Walter Williams & Eddie Levert of the O'Jays and Ronnie and Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band are singing in the background)

Maysa's cover of Stevie's rendition:

Music: Stevie Wonder

Lyrics: Wonder, Clarence Paul and Morris Broadnax

I think Clarence Paul was the producer behind the two initial versions. Stevie of course produced the third.

[Edited 7/18/10 22:24pm]

[Edited 7/18/10 22:28pm]

Timmy84 said:

Seems like Tammi wasn't the only one on his mind when Stevie wrote this song. He tested it on Ms. Holloway too.

I 've known about this one for years. I still perfer Tammi's.

I ain't got no preference lol

Brenda's, Tammi's and Stevie's are all special to me.

Just a great song..period

I love's me some Brenda Holloway

Uh yeah you do that. I'll enjoy this thank you very much. Thanks for contributing.

Timmy84 said:

Uh yeah you do that. I'll enjoy this thank you very much. Thanks for contributing.

get em timmy

i enjoy all three!

uhh.. well I like Tammi and Stevie's

Cinnie said:

uhh.. well I like Tammi and Stevie's

J/K

shheeeeeeeezzzz

i like tammi's better

however i like Brenda's vocals better

[Edited 7/18/10 21:25pm]

Brenda was a cutie back in the day. Her version is aiight but Tammi's

version definitely smokes hers. We're not even gonna go their with

Stevie's version. What can you say about Stevie that hasn't already

been said?

And it's difficult to not compare it to Tammi's when Brenda's blowin' over the exact same beats.

phunkdaddy said:

Brenda was a cutie back in the day. Her version is aiight but Tammi's

version definitely smokes hers. We're not even gonna go their with

Stevie's version. What can you say about Stevie that hasn't already

been said?

You know what's so interesting. Stevie was testing out his songs on others... I can only imagine what other songs he had Motown artists doing that weren't released by them but ended up being released by others.

Thing is the guy was only 16 when he co-wrote this.

But even though Brenda's good and Tammi's phenomenal, Stevie was meant to sing it IMHO.

[Edited 7/18/10 22:25pm]

Cinnie said:

I don't think Motown planned to release either version at all. Berry Gordy must've thought their versions (Tammi's & Brenda's) sucked.

Motown shelved them both. When Stevie finally got his control in the '70s, he was able to retain masters of works he had written from back in the day. I think this was one of the last songs he recorded for Hotter than July.

It's kinda interesting hearing Tammi's and Brenda's versions. I think Stevie was probably testing the waters since Motown wasn't doing diddly squat for Brenda or Tammi at that point (Brenda left Motown within a year after recording it and Tammi never got a chance to have a big solo career despite her big hits with Marvin due to her brain tumor).

Aww Tammi .

I love her version.

I really think she could have been a huge star. She had a beautiful voice, she was gorgeous and very charismatic. I've read she was a great performer as well.

I always thought Diana Ross was the most charismatic woman at Motown, but Tammi gave her a run for her money in that department.

Ugh, I know i'm off topic, I just wish she could have been around longer.

So anyway lol my vote is for Tammi. Then Stevie. His version is great too.

^ It's just fucking tragic what happened to Tammi!

Anyway back on topic, I had to change the entire topic. This song is too fucking good to be compared to ONE version of it. Y'all should enjoy which version you enjoy so I'm giving you options.

A guitar/bass cover:

A group called the Cleptomaniacs remixed the song for dance clubs.

This song's left some impact on the part of Stevie's version.

Timmy84 said:

phunkdaddy said:

Brenda was a cutie back in the day. Her version is aiight but Tammi's

version definitely smokes hers. We're not even gonna go their with

Stevie's version. What can you say about Stevie that hasn't already

been said?

You know what's so interesting. Stevie was testing out his songs on others... I can only imagine what other songs he had Motown artists doing that weren't released by them but ended up being released by others.

Thing is the guy was only 16 when he co-wrote this.

Wow!

phunkdaddy said:

Timmy84 said:

You know what's so interesting. Stevie was testing out his songs on others... I can only imagine what other songs he had Motown artists doing that weren't released by them but ended up being released by others.

Thing is the guy was only 16 when he co-wrote this.

Wow!

Yep, wrote all of the music to it too. I'm sure he came up with the verses and the others (Clarence & Morris) came up with the bridges and such.

Cinnie said:

Cinnie said:

And it's difficult to not compare it to Tammi's when Brenda's blowin' over the exact same beats.

brenda in the studio beefin wit tammi like "why the fuck can't I flow on this!! Stevie is she using this beat or what??". Stevie's like "some fuckin body better release this shit or I'm lacin it myself". Brendas all "nahh fuck that. (Marvin give me my lighter) tammi just hand me the fuckin zip disk already" Brenda loads the same beat onto the MPC and start doin the "ooh ooh ooh".

Sounds more like some Diana and Martha Reeves drama.

phunkdaddy said:

Cinnie said:

Cinnie said: brenda in the studio beefin wit tammi like "why the fuck can't I flow on this!! Stevie is she using this beat or what??". Stevie's like "some fuckin body better release this shit or I'm lacin it myself". Brendas all "nahh fuck that. (Marvin give me my lighter) tammi just hand me the fuckin zip disk already" Brenda loads the same beat onto the MPC and start doin the "ooh ooh ooh".

Sounds more like some Diana and Martha Reeves drama.

I'm sure not all Motown's female artists were beefing like that. Diana/Martha (The Supremes & Vandellas) spoiled it for the rest of them.

The Cleptomaniacs' version with the Stevie sample:

Blackstreet's remix of their song "Think About You" basically re-singing Stevie:

I forgot Marc Dorsey did a cover lol:

Timmy84 said:

I don't think Motown planned to release either version at all. Berry Gordy must've thought their versions (Tammi's & Brenda's) sucked.

Motown shelved them both. When Stevie finally got his control in the '70s, he was able to retain masters of works he had written from back in the day. I think this was one of the last songs he recorded for Hotter than July.

It's kinda interesting hearing Tammi's and Brenda's versions. I think Stevie was probably testing the waters since Motown wasn't doing diddly squat for Brenda or Tammi at that point (Brenda left Motown within a year after recording it and Tammi never got a chance to have a big solo career despite her big hits with Marvin due to her brain tumor).

Remember, this was one song that Stevie was NEVER satisfied with. He still has another version of the song, that has yet to be released.

shorttrini said:

Timmy84 said:

I don't think Motown planned to release either version at all. Berry Gordy must've thought their versions (Tammi's & Brenda's) sucked.

Motown shelved them both. When Stevie finally got his control in the '70s, he was able to retain masters of works he had written from back in the day. I think this was one of the last songs he recorded for Hotter than July.

It's kinda interesting hearing Tammi's and Brenda's versions. I think Stevie was probably testing the waters since Motown wasn't doing diddly squat for Brenda or Tammi at that point (Brenda left Motown within a year after recording it and Tammi never got a chance to have a big solo career despite her big hits with Marvin due to her brain tumor).

Remember, this was one song that Stevie was NEVER satisfied with. He still has another version of the song, that has yet to be released.

That's why he's a perfectionist.