I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)

by

The Four Tops

Album: The Four Tops      Released: 1965

US Chart: 1     UK Chart: 10

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

This was the first US #1 hit for the Tops. "Reach Out I'll Be There" was their only other.

Lead singer Levi Stubbs hated this song - the quartet cut it at the insistence of producer Brian Holland. After recording the song, Stubbs was still upset. Holland reassured him that they could re-record it the following day, but there was no second try and take 2 was released as the single.

Motown Records quickly followed this us by releasing a song that was essentially a rewrite of this, with the shameless title "It's the Same Old Song." It reached #5 on the Hot 100. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for all above)

This was one of the songs The Four Tops played at Live Aid in 1985. The concert was held simultaneously in Philadelphia and England, and raised over $100 million to aid famine victims in Africa. They were the third band to play the Philadelphia stage, after Joan Baez and The Hooters.

This was used in the 2001 film Rat Race.

Dolly Parton covered this on her 1984 CD of cover tracks The Great Pretender. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for above 2)

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Comments:

You got the moves and you got the sounds. You took me home just one more time and I thank you.
- George, Louisville, KY

Levi Stubbs had really a beautiful voice. He isn't there any more but I will continue to listen to the wonderful songs of the Four Tops. "I can't help myself, nooo,I can't help myself".
- Teresa, Mechelen, Belgium

RIP Levi Stubbs. You will be missed. 10-17-08
- Jay, Brooklyn, NY

This song is featured in the 1975 American International picture "Cooley High", starring Glynn Turman.
- Kristin, Bessemer, AL

Super strong-voiced Levi Stubbs with the backing of the powerful Tops makes "I Can't Help Myself" one of the best of all Motown songs. Likewise for the great follow-up "It's The Same Old Song (But With A Different Meaning Since You've Been Gone) also written and produced by the superb Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH)!!! - AnDre
- AnDre, The Bronx, NY

I love The Four Tops very much and this song is my favorite; it's true that it carries so much emotion and it also has a good beat. I would like to hear more often their songs on the radio.
- Teresa, Mechelen, Belgium

This song is currently being used to advertise Papa John's Pizza's Desserts.
- Mike, Germantown, MD

Most people call this song "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch". In fact, that's how it was referenced in the "shout out" in George Harrison's "This Song" in 1976.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

this is an awesome song. Very underated. The four tops are solid. Just a great band. lots of soul.
- paul, flagstaff, AZ

This song is my favorite of the Four Tops. It's rare when a song that carries so much emotion can make you move uncontrollably! Seriously though, I absolutely adore this song. Everyone should listen to more Four Tops, they were a very influential soul/R&B band. I can't help myself! Noooooooo, I can't help myself!
- Sammy, New York, NY

this song rocks.....
- lola, sydney, Australia

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