Standing in the Shadows of Love

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"Standing in the Shadows of Love"
Norwegian picture sleeve
Single by Four Tops
from the album Reach Out
B-side"Since You've Been Gone"
ReleasedNovember 28, 1966
RecordedOctober 19, 1966
StudioHitsville U.S.A. (Studio A), Detroit
GenreSoul, pop, psychedelic soul
Length2:36
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)Holland–Dozier–Holland
Producer(s)Brian Holland
Lamont Dozier
Four Tops singles chronology
"Reach Out I'll Be There"
(1966) 		"Standing in the Shadows of Love"
(1966) 		"Bernadette"
(1967)

"Standing in the Shadows of Love" is a 1966 hit single recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label. Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is one of the best-known Motown tunes of the 1960s. A direct follow-up to the #1 hit "Reach Out I'll Be There" (even featuring a similar musical arrangement), "Standing in the Shadows of Love" reached #2 on the soul chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967.[1] It also reached #6 in the UK.[2]

Recording and release

The vocals were recorded on October 13 1966 at Golden World. Further recording and dubbing took place with the song ready for release by November 7. It was finally released in the U.S. on November 28 1966. [3] In the UK the release was delayed until January 6 1967 just before the group were about to commence a twice-nightly, nine date tour.[3]

Critical reception

Though the song was well-received, it has received some criticism. Author

The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
in 2010 and #464 in 2004.

Wile E. Coyote to describe the singer's emotions as he waits for the "anvil to drop on his fervent love."[10]

According to author Peter Benjaminson, "Standing in the Shadows of Love" is a reworked version of The Supremes' 1963 song "Standing at the Crossroads of Love", which was released as the B-side of their single "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes".[11]

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 212.
  2. ^ "Four Tops charts". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-311-44154-6
    . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  4. ISBN 9781841956152
    .
  5. ^ Bush, J. "Reach Out". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
  6. ^ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. December 10, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  7. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 10, 1966. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  8. ^ "Singles Reviews" (PDF). Record World. December 17, 1966. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  9. ^ a b c Hamilton, A. "Standing in the Shadows of Love". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
  10. ^
    ISBN 0875862071
    .
  11. ISBN 9781569763032
    .
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