Ain't Too Proud to Beg
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2019) |
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" | ||||
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Hitsville USA (Studio A), Detroit, Michigan | ||||
Genre |
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Length | 2:36 | |||
Gordy | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Norman Whitfield[1] | |||
The Temptations singles chronology | ||||
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Official audio | ||||
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" on YouTube |
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is a 1966 song and hit single by
Notable covers have been recorded by the Rolling Stones (1974) and by Rick Astley (1989).
Reception
Production
On Friday mornings at Motown's
By this point, both the Temptations and Whitfield were confident they had a major hit on their hands. However, both "Ain't Too Proud" and "Get Ready", a Temptations track produced by Smokey Robinson with Eddie Kendricks on lead, turned up at the same Quality Control meeting. Since Robinson was the Temptations' main producer, his song was released and Whitfield's was shelved. Cornelius Grant, the Temptations' road guitarist, band director, and songwriter, recalled that after that decision was made, "it was as if the veins jumped out of Norman's neck." Whitfield was less than pleased at the Quality Control department's decision, and stated plainly that "never again am I gonna lose out on a release like that".[2]. As a compromise, Gordy promised Whitfield that "Ain't Too Proud" would be the next single if "Get Ready" failed to reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Pop Chart.
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[5] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[6] | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Rick Astley version
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" | ||||
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Single by Rick Astley | ||||
from the album Hold Me in Your Arms | ||||
Released | August 7, 1989 | |||
Length | 4:19 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Stock Aitken Waterman | |||
Rick Astley singles chronology | ||||
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English singer-songwriter Rick Astley covered the song for his 1988 album Hold Me in Your Arms. Originally recorded in 1986, the track was re-recorded for his new album due to a fire at the PWL studios destroying the original master.[7] The song was released as a single in the US and Japan in the summer of 1989. This was Astley's last single with producers Stock Aitken Waterman. On New Year's Eve 2019, Astley performed the song with YolanDa Brown on the BBC's Jools' Annual Hootenanny.[8]
Chart (1989) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 89 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10] | 16 |
The Rolling Stones version
The Rolling Stones recorded the song for their album It's Only Rock 'n Roll (1974).[11] They also released it as a single, which reached number 17 in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.[12] The official promotional video features the band, in bright clothing, performing the song on a stage.[13] In 2007 the band performed the song at Isle of Wight Festival with Amy Winehouse.[14]
Record World said that the Stones' "first oldie hit stab in a decade is more than proud to boogie!"[15]
Notes
- ^ Williams, Otis and Romanowski, Patricia, Temptations.
- ^ Weinger, Harry, "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day".
References
- ^ a b c d e Variety Staff (April 21, 2019). "The 60 Greatest Motown Songs of All Time". Variety. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 26 – The Soul Reformation: Phase two, the Motown story. [Part 5]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 571.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 14, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ "British single certifications – Temptations – Ain't To Proud To beg". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American single certifications – Temptations – Ain't To Proud To beg". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Rick Astley's official website". Rick Astley.
- ^ "BBC Two - Jools' Annual Hootenanny, 2019/20". BBC.
- ^ "Rick Astley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ "Rick Astley Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll - The Rolling Stones" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. December 13, 1974. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- YouTube
- ^ "Amy Winehouse joined the Rolling Stones to perform "Ain't Too Proud to Beg"". Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 9, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
Other sources
- ISBN 0-375-50062-6.
- Weinger, Harry (1994). "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day". The Temptations: Emperors of Soul [CD Box Set]. New York: Motown Record Co., L.P.
- ISBN 0-8154-1218-5.