The Isley Brothers1966 - "I Hear A Symphony" MOTOWN-204

[tinyliz52]

a@davedavis53 yes so agree with you thought i was only one who thought like this very sad for my grandchildren never know good music stuck with x rated music if you can call that music

[davedavis53]

sweet music and sweet memories of a better time to live

[Bobinsherwood]

It does not get better than this whoevers track it is

[billiam1885]

fabulus

[2mortar1]

me too johnnywin, it hurts.

[MrJohnnywin]

abs superb the starlight club 1966 top mods and vespa scooters and birds wish i was there again

[spiritladysoul]

just wonderful......

[TDSouledOut1]

A veritable masterpiece of writing and production. Both the Isleys' and the Supremes' versions are simply magic.

[leggsuk49]

Holland/Dozier/Holland........­..Doesn't get any better.

[dundeeron]

nice................ but prefer stevies !!!!

[babaloula]

Bliss! Can you hear one of those thugs singing words such as 'I Hear a Symphony' today? Not likely!! More like 'What the f**k is a symphony?'

[TheSoulduff]

Awsome version, thanks for posing !

[MotownMagic1959]

@TheSoulduff Yes, it's superb isn't it? wish we heard them today, I miss the 60's a lot :-( JOHN

[tamlaone]

Love this version



[naturalblkluv]

im not a fan of this version, i think it needs to be sung in a lower key.

[amsterm8]

WOW! I only knew the Sumpremes.

I'm in tears.

THANK YOU 4 posting this. You Rock!

[szmig00]

Great tune, great video!!

[no14topfan]

I allways liked this version better than the supremes, I heard it on a radio station in new orleans, in the mid 60's either 1965 or 66 I had to really look hard to find a record store that had it. at the time. they had it under the other side.... these early songs eventualy lead to my love for music and eventual radio work. Those were great times... it is this version that I still play!!!!!!!!!! question, is it the first version recorded before the supremes???? someone told me that it may!

[shorelineboy]

Brilliant i always loved this version actually loved all versions. It was such a great time for music so lucky to have been a teen then clubbing clothes great music motown, soul, ska etc etc ohhh i loved it.

[surfamurfa]

the best version love it ---------

[granbranfan]

Tamla Motown.....60's Magic...as brilliant but so different to The Beatles...

[migglesy1]

This is one of my favourites from the motown years, it must be nearly 30 years since I heard it.

God I feel old !!!

[migglesy1]

This is one of my favourites from the motown years, it must be nearly 30 years since I heard it.

God I feel old !!!

[MokaDan69]

love all these motown artists!!!!

[cheekymonky61]

got to rate this ,better than the supremes ,but only just ,both crackin tunes ,torch and tamla ,say no more ,thx for the tunes ,all the best

[tinyliz52]

First heard these songs when they came to Britain in the 60s wondered what i was listening to fell in love with motown then and nothings changed

[tinyliz52]

motown will always be tops wondered what i was hearing when i went into my first disco back in the 60s when it came to Britain fell in love with them then and still feel the same

[dnash27]

I've never heard this version before.Brilliant. I never thought it could be sung by males, but it really works, especially with the Motown orchestration in the backround. "Those tears that....FILL my eyes..."

[quantumoz]

still the best version of this song - sends shivers down my spine everytime I play it. Brings me back to being a mod at the Palais In Nottingham!

[quantumoz]

I still think that this is the better version - much more soul in this one!

[rioboy13]

@quantumoz It has more soul allright...but NO ISLEY BROTHERS??? This is just one of them singing the entire song!!! What an outrage!!! Where are the other brother's vocals???

[caranicole123]

I know Diana Ross and the Supremes and Michael Jackson sang this also.. After many listens.. I've came to decide Michael sang it the best. But, this version is just classic as well!

[ABITTERSWEETGIRL]

just so wonderful.. i adore this..

[456Joella]

My favourite song of all time. Spent many hours as a 16yr old playing this over and over again, Bringing back so many memories of when I was young. aaahhh!

[jsbach15]

Amazing cover of my favorite Supremes classic. 10+ stars!

[ABITTERSWEETGIRL]

oh my god, what a wonderful find.. perfect.. beautiful version..

[philcurt52]

still brings tears

pure magic

[TheBAZCAZ]

This track never fails to give me shivers, it is an absolute classic WOW....

[No1ClashFan]

Totally agree!My uncle used to be a DJ in the 60s and gave me all his old albums when I was about 16,this is still I think my favourite Motown track ever!!!!!xxxx

[philcurt52]

this is the best version ever recorded

[honeybunch1231]

This, to me is near enough to perfection, never ever has anyone sung it better!

[DaniieJade]

This is simply the best version ever recorded. Perfection!

[j5muscle]

All the versions are tear jerkers.

[69Skarab]

excellent, never heard this before, by far the better version.

[chkjns]

Added to 1966 in my series of music playlists for each of the last 100 years.

Step back to any past year, just pick one and click 'play all' . . . . . . . . . . .

Thanks to MM1959 for all these great uploads!

[pannoni1]

The Isley also recorded "Who Could Ever Doubt My Love" and "Stop! In The Name Of Love!"

[royalsteven]

This is one of the best soul sounds period. Uncomporable sphere.

[bigtownguy]

Does anyone know if a karaoke version is available by the Isleys or any other male like Stevie? Love this song so much want to sing it but its a girl song unless you have another version?

[Oscarbon1]

I much prefer the Isley Brothers version. I don't know why but the "pace" of their recording seems less hurried than the Supremes and the harp running up and down is not as pronounced in the Supremes version. Don't get me wrong as the first record that I ever bought from the Tamla studio was "baby Love" and I thing Diana Ross and Mary Wells are icons, but this is something very special to me.

[CiaraBabee97]

This is absolute MAGIC - No-one can touch the Isley Brothers singing this song.

[MotownMagic1959]

They were so brilliant the Isley Brothers on Motown, I can't think of any track I didn't like! Holland, Dozier, and Holland, wrote a lot of tracks for them in those days, but they all sounded good don't you think? JOHN

[kurtsupreme]

@CiaraBabee97 No, no one can touch the Isley Brothers singing this......................EXCE­PT the legndary SUPREMES singing this song for WHOM it was written!!!!! Yes, The Isley Brothers do a nice cover; however, they can't touch the hem of the SUPREMES' gowns when it comes to singing this song!

[thebunrun]

1969 i found motown actually the four tops

sam cooke otis reding thier music has haunted me ever since motown i live and love to this day thanks to all the people

for puting the old song in

[mvann5566]

anyone should beable to sing this,its the sound of perfection,well any motown artist,thanks for posting motownmagic...motown...yester-­year,today and forever

[Laurennn1yeah]

All versions are good but Isley`s version for me has the edge,due to the emotion felt in the voice.Love ALL Tamla.

[crut5]

I've never heard any version that comes close to The Supremes beautiful version. And Diana Ross is supurb, as usual.

[hazabazz117]

Philistine, Isley Brothers original is the best

[MeetTheSupremes]

If this was done in 1966 then it is NOT the original - The Supremes' version was recorded and released as a single in late 1965...

[MotownMagic1959]

You are quite right MeetTheSupremes, the Supremes track was released in Oct 1965 on Motown 1083/TMG543 Nov 1965 in UK, as in Motown's catalogue, Isley Brothers version of it was released in June 1966 on Tamla 54135/TMG572 August 1966 in UK. When I said in my main comment "at the same time" they were actually recorded together in 1965 but released different times so's not to clash! still love both versions of this brilliant song, have both copies of course, thanks for that. JOHN

[MeetTheSupremes]

No problem =D

Thanks for the extra info =P

Both versions are amazing. It has always fascinated me how much Motown "recycled" the songs =D

HOWEVER, I still cannot get over the fact that I'M STILL LOVING YOU by Kim Weston was not released as a single - it's EASILY one of her best recordings ever (her voice sounds amazing, the production is stunning and The Andantes' backing vocals are o u t s t a n d i n g on it!!)

[MotownMagic1959]

Yes, The Andantes have sung in the background on many a track, but I've never heard "I'm Still Loving You" by Kim Weston, she was such a brilliant singer, I saw her years ago, what talent eh? JOHN

[MeetTheSupremes]

OMG the song is so AMAZING! Why it is so unknown is completely beyond me - to me it's the best song she recorded (by herself) at Motown!

[MotownMagic1959]

I made a mistake MeetTheSupremes I checked all my singles (700 or more) and albums plus Motown's catalogue lists and I found I've got it!! I'll give it a play, it's 1965 by Kim's one-time husband and Motown Producer, Mickey Stevenson, with Ivy "Joe" Hunter, and Sylvia Moy. I could even put it on here if you like? JOHN

[MeetTheSupremes]

Please do! The song needs the exposure!

I was going to create another YT account for Soul/R&B music but I haven't gotten round to it - and I can't post the songs on here LOL (it would confuse people)

[pebble1955]

I'm still loving you by Kim Weston was released on 45 on Tamla in the US record #54110 it's hard to find though, Good Luck. my own copy plays fine but looks a bit rough.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Omg so it was a single? Like I said before, the song is a m a z i n g and I think it should be listed as one of the best Motown songs ever =D

[mrgreentom]

I have heard several versions of this song and I feel that no other group sang it with more heart,soul and conviction than the Isley Brothers. But that is just my opinion. Each Motown Group that sang this song turned it into magic. This is a song is timeless and so are the "Motown" groups that sang it. There are very few groups today that can do it justice.

[stage7]

You got 'THAT' right!  ;-P

[mabuvilla]

for me aslo, more soul and more romance than the supremes

[Homer0204]

for me the best version of this song by far. anybody agree?

[luvar07]

I do not agree. The Supremes version is superior. However, I do enjoy listening to this version as well.

[nkdillon3]

I prefer the Supremes' version.

[Ankost66]

I prefer MJ's version

[mrgreentom]

I agree.

[cangas160162]

Sublime, tierna y maravillosa canción.

[bean714285]

This is my Mum and Dads love song. I lost my mum last year and my dad last week (aged 52 and 55). He died of a broken heart after she died. Its his funeral tomorrow, and Im playing this song in memory of them both. Aswell as being one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, it brings back happy and sentimental feelings and memories from my childhood. In Loving Memory of Stephen and Hazel Wilson. God Bless you both xxxx

[cangas160162]

AMEN.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

[tanktrack]

Thats so sad and yet so beautiful.

Hope they are together now. R.I.P

[bean714285]

thank u, it was sad, AND beautiful.... xxx

[mabuvilla]

wow cant stop crying, emotion pure and that with such great background music.

RIP

[stage7]

You know, mabuvilla, You have renewed my optimism in the human race that there IS still some hope in our mentalities and ability to respond with compassion to each other!  I LOVE THAT! THANK YOU and God BLESS You!

C.J.

[StephenMWhite]

really enjoyed hearing this for the first time. It's Flo's vocals, with Mary's that take this song's harmonies to heaven.

Even when it's not the Supremes' version, I still hear Mary & Flo beltin' those notes...oooh, baby, baby....ooooh..ooohh...

[D0ST03VSKY]

motown was really something back then. i wish i lived in that era.

[dirtybobdawny1]

I lived during the Motown golden years and I like this cut even better than the Supremes. It's a sad and very touching love song. I could listen to it all night long

[stage7]

You know, I often wonder who else @ Motown recorded this song. I know Michael Jackson did, but it sounds like perhaps Gladys Knight would've done a version, and Kim Weston surely could've, and even The Marvelettes with Wanda. Just food for thought. Even Martha really. And let's not forget Tammi Terrell!

[MotownMagic1959]

The Supremes did a good version of it too! they often shared the songs in those times!

John

[stage7]

John, The SUPREMES 'ARE' "I Hear A Symphony"! (smile)  So that goes without even sayin'! They did "THE" version of it....so to speak!

It DOES make me wonder about the others mentioned, tho', since it IS common knowledge that they 'all' recorded alot of these songs. Sometimes they used the same tracks exactly like "Time Changes Things" Martha AND Supremes, and "Steppin Closer To My Heart" Gladys AND Marvin! EXACT same tracks! lol!

[MotownMagic1959]

Yes, that's right, they did use the same backing tracks by the great Funk Brothers usually or when they were with San Remo Strings at Studio 2 (Golden World) on the other side of Detroit, there used to be Chocker Campbell's band too, but they were all made up of "The Funk Bros" of course, brilliant!

John

[bhav213]

stevie wonder did a version too its on here

[stage7]

IS IT on here? I have since learned that he did it and have heard it! I've also heard a 'Gladys' rendition! But it's cool that some are on here! Gotta look it up! Thanks for that!

Would LOVE to have heard a 'recorded' version on Jean Terrell with The Supremes.

[CHEWDwivTHEinCrowd]

sheer class, thanks for posting!

[Individuell83]

Nice version

I also like both version

With flo´s and mary´s vocals in the back this song would be a number one xD

[THESILENTBOATMAN]

The Supremes version is a classic...This is even better me thinks????

[Jibbie49]

I can hear him singing this in a duet with the Supremes.

[StephanAOTTO1]

Wow, this is what Motown so GREAT!!!