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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This was the biggest hit on Anna Records, a label formed by Berry Gordy's sister, Anna. It was later released on Gordy's Tamla label, which became Motown Records. It was the first hit single for Tamla.

Berry Gordy wrote this with Janie Bradford, who contributed to Motown as a writer and in an administrative role. She and Gordy had previously written 2 songs for Jackie Wilson's first album.

This was the only hit for Strong, who wrote many classic songs with fellow Motown writer Norman Whitfield, including "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "War," and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone." Growing up, Strong was a member of a Gospel group called The Strong Singers.

This was used in the 1978 movie Animal House.

The Beatles covered this in 1963. The Rolling Stones also covered it. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

In 1979 the Flying Lizards hit #5 UK with a minimalist cover. Their version was recorded in one day in the band leader David Cunningham's living room. This version was featured in the films The Wedding Singer (1998) and Charlie's Angels (2000). (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

Flying Lizard's frontman David Cunningham recalled in Mojo magazine March 2008: "We weren't going to get a decent piano sound with our one microphone. So we chucked in things to dampen the strings - an ashtray, a telephone directory. That gave us the percussive piano sound."

Comments:

The BEST version was recorded by The Kingsmen in 1964. Went to #16.
- Sandi, Dayton, OH

They need a songfact for the Flying Lizards' version of this.
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA

The version the Beatles based their version on was by "Smoky Joe" Robinson and the Miracles.
- Matt, Saugus, MA

Sorry, mistake. I was thinking of You've Really Got A Hold On Me, by the Miracles.
- Matt, Saugus, MA

This song was also covered by Hanson, and it appears on their "Live From Albertane" CD.
- Sean, Toronto, Canada

A version of this song was featured in the movie 'Empire Records'. It was played as a 'dedication' to one of the characters that had commited larceny earlier in the movie.
- Nikki, Remington, VA

I LOVE this song !! It makes you want to get up and dance around the house ! And no one could sing it like Strong !
- Janetlee, Panama City, FL

Also covered by the Blues Brothers.
- Brett, Edmonton, Canada