Daily Music - The Supremes "Keep Me Hangin' On"

Happy April Fools' Day!

The Supremes are truly an American legend, and their music has transcended all genres. One of my favorite tracks is the funky "You Keep Me Hangin' On" with is breathy vocals, shouts from the backups, and all those "whoos!" One element that continues to be used in songs that came after is the morse code guitar lick in the introduction. I've added videos with similar uses from Sarah McLachlan and Glen Campbell. Listen how the snare trots along, pressing the music on. This is less bubble gum than many of the tracks in the early Supremes' catalog, like "Where Did Our Love Go" "Baby Love", and "I Hear A Symphony". Diana's vocals are more forced, trouble-tracked to fill out the sound, and that bass line just throbs along.

Vanila Fudge, the name is a nod to the blue-eyed soul, did a masterful, psychadelic cover of the tune, with the drums becoming even more prevalent, the brocade jackets, the poet collars, the psychadelia in regalia . . . the video is a thrilling testament to the groovy 60s. The song would be a hit again, until it would be covered again by pop singer Kim Wilde of "Kids in America" fame and resurface as an 80s powerpop megahit. The words are changed up a bit, the music is made for the dance floor, and it also speaks to a day and age that won't happen again. Enjoy this hit and it's pair of hit covers!

Diana Ross and The Supremes "Keep Me Hangin' On"
in lieu of an embeddable video, I offer two links of live performances you can cut and paste, as well as an embed of the song set to pictures. Enjoy the fashion!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EMKaRKbsswM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1_MlkR8cAfs&feature=related



Vanilla Fudge - "Keep Me Hangin' On"



Kim Wilde - "Keep Me Hangin' On"



two examples of "morse code" in context

Sarah McLachlan - "Sweet Surrender"



Glen Campbell - "Wichita Lineman"



"Sweet Surrender" is such a great song, showing amazing control with a quiet persistance, and the video is evocative. "Wichita Lineman", wow, what can i say, one of my favorite songs ever, such fantastic picture painting "i can hear you in the whine . . . ' listen for that telegraph in both songs.

OH YEAH!

BONUS: Practice the shoulder roll, remember, keep your hand below your chin on the 'stop" so the audience can see your face, and always ALWAYS snap on 2 & 4. You can do it. Now go buy some long satin gloves.

The Supremes "Stop! In The Name of Love"