(You Can) Depend on Me
Encyclopedia
" Depend on Me" (TAMLA 54028), was a 1959 song by Motown Records
group The Miracles
, which also appeared on the group's first album, Hi... We're The Miracles
(released in 1961). It also appeared as the "B
" side of the group's hit single, Way Over There
. It was written by Motown Records' President and founder Berry Gordy
and Miracles member William "Smokey" Robinson. While not charting nationally, this song was a very popular regional hit tune in many areas of the country, so much so, in fact, that it was included on the group's first greatest hits album, Greatest Hits from the Beginning
, and Smokey still sings it, by request, in his live shows today.
A slow, intimate ballad number, with relatively sparse orchestration compared to much of their later work, "Depend On Me" starts with the singular guitar of Miracles member Marv Tarplin
. Recorded in the popular Doo-Wop
style, Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
, as the song's narrator, then takes it from there, singing to the woman he loves, promising her eternal devotion:
Miracles Bobby Rogers
, Claudette Rogers Robinson
, Pete Moore
, and Ronnie White, blend their voices into their trademark smooth harmonies to punctuate Smokey's vocals on the chorus and elsewhere. This popular song was originally intended as the "B" side of the Miracles' deleted 45 release: The Feeling Is So Fine, which Way Over There replaced.
"(You Can) Depend on Me" has inspired cover versions by fellow Motown artists Brenda Holloway
, Mary Wells
, The Supremes
, and The Temptations
. It has appeared on many Miracles' Greatest Hits compilations and anthologies, and is the title song of the 2009 Motown CD compilation release : The Miracles- Depend On Me.
Personnel- The Miracles
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
group The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
, which also appeared on the group's first album, Hi... We're The Miracles
Hi... We're the Miracles
Hi... We're The Miracles is the first album by Motown's first group, The Miracles, released on Motown's Tamla subsidiary label in the summer of 1961.It also has the distinction of being the first album ever released by the Motown Record Corporation The album features several songs which played an...
(released in 1961). It also appeared as the "B
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
" side of the group's hit single, Way Over There
Way Over There
"Way Over There" is a 1960 Motown soul song and single, written by William "Smokey" Robinson, produced by Berry Gordy, and first performed by The Miracles for the Tamla label. It was one of The Miracles' earliest charting singles, reaching #94 on the Billboard Pop chart. Motown president Berry...
. It was written by Motown Records' President and founder Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
and Miracles member William "Smokey" Robinson. While not charting nationally, this song was a very popular regional hit tune in many areas of the country, so much so, in fact, that it was included on the group's first greatest hits album, Greatest Hits from the Beginning
Greatest Hits from the Beginning
Greatest Hits from the Beginning is a compilation double LP by The Miracles released in 1965. It covers most of the group's hits from their pre-1965 albums, such as "Shop Around", "Who's Loving You", "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" and "Mickey's Monkey" as well as the non-album singles from 1964...
, and Smokey still sings it, by request, in his live shows today.
A slow, intimate ballad number, with relatively sparse orchestration compared to much of their later work, "Depend On Me" starts with the singular guitar of Miracles member Marv Tarplin
Marv Tarplin
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
. Recorded in the popular Doo-Wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
style, Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, as the song's narrator, then takes it from there, singing to the woman he loves, promising her eternal devotion:
- If you....need a love like mine that you can depend on...
- When your whole world's closing in...and you need a friend...
- You can depend...
- On me .
Miracles Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
, Claudette Rogers Robinson
Claudette Rogers Robinson
Claudette Rogers Robinson is an African-American soul singer, a member of The Miracles from 1957 to 1972. Her brother Emerson "Sonny" Rogers was an original member of the group, which was originally called "The Matadors" before 1957; Claudette Rogers took her brother's place after he was drafted...
, Pete Moore
Pete Moore
Pete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
, and Ronnie White, blend their voices into their trademark smooth harmonies to punctuate Smokey's vocals on the chorus and elsewhere. This popular song was originally intended as the "B" side of the Miracles' deleted 45 release: The Feeling Is So Fine, which Way Over There replaced.
"(You Can) Depend on Me" has inspired cover versions by fellow Motown artists Brenda Holloway
Brenda Holloway
Brenda Holloway is an American singer and songwriter, a recording artist for the Motown label during the 1960s...
, Mary Wells
Mary Wells
Mary Esther Wells was an American singer who helped to define the emerging sound of Motown in the early 1960s...
, The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, and The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
. It has appeared on many Miracles' Greatest Hits compilations and anthologies, and is the title song of the 2009 Motown CD compilation release : The Miracles- Depend On Me.
Personnel- The MiraclesThe MiraclesThe Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
- Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
- Lead vocals. - Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
- Background vocals. - Pete MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
- Background vocals. - Claudette Robinson - Background vocals.
- Ronnie White - Background vocals.
- Marv TarplinMarv TarplinMarvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
- Guitar.
External links
- (You Can) Depend On Me- by The Miracles (alternate version)
- [ All Music Guide]