FOUR TOPS = EMOTION, FEELING, HARMONY, and PASSION / they have never sang a bad song and will forever Rank as ONE OF THE BEST GROUPS OF ALL TIME !! CASE CLOSED !
I saw the reorganized Four Tops live a few mths ago and Peoples (the only living member) told the story of how they ended up covering this song. While they were rehearsing in a studio, their manager, agent, etc were looking on from above. One of 'em bet to everyone watching that the Tops could make any song in the world a hit. The others took the bet and they chose this tune by the Left Banke (as it was on the Billboard Top 10 at the time) for the Tops to cover for the bet. Rest is history.
Interesting, I'm a child of the 60s myself, but I like both versions. The Left Bank's version is great too. A young teenager wrote this song, that's the most amazing thing.
I think this song proves that the Four Tops had the most soul of any other sounds that Motown produced in the 1960's.Their harmony's were so rightous.I think they were way better than the Temps or Supremes.
Sorry. but a song done by someone else, can never be as good as the original artist who performed it. The Left Banke rules this song, I grew up it their day.
@Debbera1 Not necissarily true. I think that most would agree that 2 Whitney Houston songs ("Greatest Love of all" and "I will always Love you") were extremely more successful than they were for the original artists.
I like the SONG, no matter who sings it, however, it is appropriate to give credit to the writers, without them, there wouldn't be a version to cover.
Well to me you can never , down the original version of any song , all others are to me remakes , now wheather a remakes sounds good or whatever , is in the ear of the beholder.All other bullshit walks,one can't impose their view of something on someone else , ii happen to like both versions. Emotions and all. i think the Tops were so popular that every thing theyy remake sounds good. The leftbank made a nice song but the group turned out to be a flash in the pan .
@Rao665 What's wrong with you? Are you one of these internet thugs? I'd love to see one of you tough guys talk like that to somebody's face. Go listen to some music that YOU like and leave the rest of us alone. If you really want to get in an argument about the music you don't like, then go to your local dive bar and hang out by the juke box until someone plays a song you don't like and then talk to THEM about it. I'll visit you in ICU, you meat-head
@Rao665 What's wrong with you? Are you one of these internet thugs? I'd love to see one of you tough guys talk like that to somebody's face. Go listen to some music that YOU like and leave the rest of us alone. If you really want to get in an argument about the music you don't like, then go to your local dive bar and hang out by the juke box until someone plays a song you don't like and then talk to THEM about it. I'll visit you in ICU, you jerk-off
Love that they put this song on the Four Tops. The group that did this originally sound good, but they lack the emotion that the Four Tops have, as well as the passion that they give in singing this song. Their rendition is powerful!
@Rao665 Well, we could argue this til the world tires of revolving around the sun, jumps out of the solar system, and goes streaking through the universe as a cold and lonely planet in need of a sun to provide it with warm, life-giving rays, as well as some love, and a little bit of tenderness! Anyway, to me, this version will always sound better, more emotional, and much more powerful then the Left Bank version. And, there you have it...
Ah, 45's. I have a box full of 'em. The first one I ever bought was Your So Vain by Carly Simon. The last one was Orinoco Flow back in 1988. Though they may be defunct now, I'd still like to see the high and mighty fuckin' iPod play one. Ya! You CAN'T, can you, you technological marvel.
@ motwonmaster -I sometimes wish that youtube didn't have a space for commentary. I'm starting to really hate these people who are criticizing the song and you for posting it. They could just as easily listen to something else. You're doing a favor to the world by posting here. Thank you. Oh, do you have the Four Tops' version of California Dreamin'?
@ motwonmaster -I sometimes wish that youtube didn't have a space for commentary. I'm starting to really hate these people who are criticizing the song and you for posting it. They could just as easily listen to something else. You're doing a favor to the world by posting here. Thank you.
sorry...youtube isn't going to take out commentary just because some asshole gets butthurt about a 40 year old song from some motown group that took it from the original writers and singers.
its o.k. for The Old Man on Pawnstars to say "back in the day." Everybody else can not say it. It sounds contrived. I love Old Man but I hate everyone else so do not say it any more. Also, no more high fives. If I hear anyone saying skeetledee do like the old man on the insurance commercial i will be tempted to kill them. I hope it doesn't catch on like BITD.
no man having tasted the old wine straightway desireth the new. but old wine is put in ...get the point? I kind of had it and lost it. The lead singer sounds like tom jones or tom jones sounds like him. Which is older? Who influenced whom? when old wine is put in new wineskins. but when new wine is put in old wineskins. are people wineskins? I am the vine.
Does anyone know how high on the charts this song went for either group? I am a fan of The Left Banke original. Love the Four Tops, but not for this song!
The original version of this song has a memorable harpsichord accompaniment and a falling chromatic bass melody that give it a dramatic baroque feeling to it. Motown forced its factory line heavy orchestral charted horn sections and beat too it that, although interesting version, truly killed the lyrics aching feeling.
Learn how to give credit where it's due .... The Four Tops are preforming their version of the hit song "Walk away Renee" an earlier, original hit written and preformed by The Left Banke! You didn't even have the class to at least say that much? LAME!
Sorry for the late reply. Unless you were there (which you weren't), it is beyond your capacity to decide who wrote which songs in the fantastistic era that you describe. Please desist from such claims.
Thank you for your honesty my friend.... I just wish Motown Master would of at LEAST, for the record, gave credit where it was due... whether he thought the Left bank's version was "just okay", or not, is not the point. it's about being respectfully fair! Many listeners either like both, or one of the two versions. I happen to like both (especially The Left bank version) Peace out!
Thank you MotownMaster for posting all of these Motown records. I was a young teenager in 1968 and I am proud to say I lived during that era! I miss them days and the music!
Dude why the hell are you uploading it off of the record? You lost a shitload of the quality by recording on w/e mic you are recording off the speakers. Get with the times and do this digitally. But i do say, "It is a nice rendition of a recorded off the speakers"
i've always heard that the writer of this song wasn't too thrilled with the Tops' version, nevertheless he more than got paid, though The Left Banke had the bigger hit with it on the charts( #5 to the Tops' #14) but this version is just as good....
@MotownMaster I love your retorts to the listeners that don't like what you do...If they don't like your posts, they can always listen elsewhere...I like your historical info, selection of songs, etc...If I ever run across one that I don't want to listen to, I pause it, and move on (that has only happened once or twice in 5 or so years)...You're doing everything right as far as I am concerned!
Honestly, I just listened to them both again. This is just a bad pop cover. But it's just an opinion. This version just makes no sense, except to be a more up tempo song that could be played more on the radio back in the day.
I'm sorry. Listen the Four Tops are great, but this song did not need their interpretation. This version had soul, but the song makes no sense with soul. The song is about a guy breaking up with his girlfriend and having a painfully difficult time doing so; it seems like maybe she cheated on him but one can't know for sure. Bottom line Left Banke portrayed that emotion in the most perfect way. Martin's voice had a sad tone to it that went perfectly with the song. Why was this version necessary?
Completely removes the baroque beauty of the original, but yet.....the original comes across quite melancholy to me, but this has none of that. Far more optimistic, more anthemic if you will. Has an energy to it the original didn't have. The two versions are far enough removed to be different entities. Really not fair to go about with a "THIS WINS, OTHER VERSION SUCKS" attitude.
I am from Detroit, and I live in Detroit. Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops are all-time favorites. But I am sorry. The Left Banke original blows this rendition of the tune "Walk Away Renee" away...
@IrisMG Are you for real? What a crass thing to say! The original, which the fabulous Four Tops did a brilliant version of, is still a classic, albeit a different genre of music. You should realise that the songwriter (Michael Brown) was barely more than 16 years old when he wrote this. Brilliant music will always shine through, so be respectful of talent, even if it's different to yours. This, and the original by the Left Banke, kicks the arse off any modern shit R n B
@KoshmarUK Nothing crass about it. In my opinion, The Left Banke sucks, and their version of this song sucked. I don't give a damn who wrote it, but your young songwriter got paid regardless. I'll bet you didn't know that much. Sorry if you have a problem with my opinion, but that's the way I feel about it. Yes, I am for real.
@IrisMG Well your attitude sucks, lady, It's a shame you think so negatively - without the Left Banke the song wouldn't have existed, and a great man like Levi Stubbs would have thought you suck too, and not in a good way. Take your head out of your arse and take a bigger look around yourself, FFS. Can't you just appreciate talent without being a dick?
@KoshmarUK The only thing I can appreciate is that The Four Tops agreed to perform this song and make a lot of money for your favorite songwriter by making it another hit. What I don't appreciate is your immaturity and lack of class. I'm not required to like what you like, son.
@IrisMG You don't half talk some crap, love. Are you telling me that Levi and the boys did this as a favour for the Left Banke? Rubbish - they knew a good tune when they heard it. It's not for charity, that's an insult to the Four Tops! I think that you're the immature one by suggesting I have some "favourite" to champion. Wrong - I can appreciate talent in any genre AND have an eclectic taste in music. You need to check in the attitude at the cloakroom, dear
@KoshmarUK You have maturity issues, you're 42 and act 16. I'm sorry you have such a vested interest in my opinion. I hate the Left Banke and I hate YOU. I'm glad that you don't represent all British folk because you are definitely low-class. The Four Tops wiped the floor with the Left Banke's version while getting them paid, and that is the final word I will have on this discussion. Your comments will be erased from now on.
@IrisMG Well, being an old trout you think that your opinion is somehow superior to everyone else's. What you know about music can be written on a cigarette packet with a wax crayon. Unfortunately you are so arrogant which is symptomatic of US american manners (apologies to the good US folk on here); as for hating me - big deal. If you think your word is final, it certainly isn't, & your lousy attitude is an insult to such class acts as the Tops and LB, not to mention the good folk here. Grow up
@IrisMG Now, if you are talking about the acapella version of "Walk Away Renee", THAT was absolutely AWESOME!! Second to none. Perhaps the best acapella rendition ever performed by anybody in any genre.
To all of u that dont like this version,just know that the quality here is pretty bad & its playing too fast.I suggest u check out the acapella version here which is taken from the actual track.I defy u to say a bad thing about it & if u do then u dont know GOOD music,thanks.Gotta defend my 4TOPS.
I love The Four Tops, one of my favorie bands for sure back in the day. And I definitely give them props for covering this very cool tune but I just didn't think they did it all that well. It was just okay I guess.
@MotownMaster Damned straight! The Four Tops continued with hit after hit well into the seventies. Those later albums have a few gems, like "One Chain Don't Make No Prison". I put Levi right up there with Marvin and Smokey.
The sound on this is pretty bad. The record is much better, and anybody who doesn't think The Tops owned this song needs to lay off the mayo and Wonder Bread for a while.
@Jennykate1985 Your histrionic denial of other people's points of view, undermines your own. When telling others to "shut up", for whatever reason, contemplate your powerlessness to force them to do so, and contemplate the hypocricy of telling them to shut up with your mouth wide open.
God this version sucked. REALLY hard. This loses the whole haunting sound that the Left Bank did - I like the Four Tops but they should be bitch-slapped for even attempting this song. Bad - bad - BAD.
@franklinrocks1 I agree that it is horrible, but at least they tried. They should have "blacked it up" or "souled it up" a bit. Then who knows? I thought to myself when listening to this "Damn, it's like they tried to sing like Whites (Left Banke) and proved that this is virtually impossible to pull off and sound like anything but a parody". If there is blue-eyed soul, then what is this? It isn't the black counterpart, that's for sure.
@wenaolong I know it's all a matter opinion, but this is one of my favorite Four Tops songs...also, the Four Tops are a much bigger group overseas than the Supremes, or Temptations, so it seems as if European audiences rather like some of the less R&B songs that they recorded as well...They have nothing to be ashamed of with this beautiful rendition...just my opinion...as is your post is your opinion as well...
@doowopisnumber1 whatever...mick jagger even stated Levi Stubbs had one of the strongest voices ever ...free speech but go back to grade school and learn good music sorry, but i think history on my side
@mlavfv I never knocked Levi Stubbs nor their music, but when you hear the original version compared to this, there's no comparison. Just because the Four Tops were more successful doesn't mean they sang this song better. They sound constipated compared to the beautiful voices of the Left Banke. This song wasn't supposed to be a soul song, just like you don't hear any pop groups trying to sing soul music.
There is MUCH to be said for the original Left Banke 1966 recording AND for the FourTops 1968 recording. I don't know how you couldn't like both ~ each bring something a little different to the table.
if you like your motown music check out the story of motown show in the olympia theatre dublin 8th of may fantastic show featuring the jewelettes tickets available through ticketmaster
Four Tops version all the way. This stuff is gold. I remember singing this to an African American girl in my class as she was walking down to the hall. She was lovely.
bullcrap. left banke sings it with NO SOUL. a song like this NEEDS soul. and thats just the bad quality of the video. the sound is coming from an external object making it sound not as good
WHOA. Get real, dude. It's 60s baroque pop! It's perfect in its original form; I'm not saying this is terrible, but The Left Banke did a wonderful job of capturing feeling.
What a great time for music, amidst all of the violence of Viet Nam, such beautiful music was being made...such an amazing time for music and such a sad time for the world
It's actually called " I can't help myself ( sugar pie honey bunch ) ...........try checking out the Four Tops website........and I'm looking at the record label right now
Doesn't anybody know that Dennis Stefani and Patti Flynn were inspired to name their daughter Gwen Renee Stefani (Yes the No Doubt Girl)after this song.That's awesome
Sorry for the sarcasm, its nice to know that there are still people who appreciate good music. FYI wikipedia lists some interesting facts about the song.
I loved both versions of this song by The Four Tops and The Left Banke.The Four Tops version had that soulful sound to me that was what the Motown sound was all about.I think group The Four Tops was the best all around group of the whole Motown sound even better than The Temptations.
Give me the Lefte Bank any day. Call me sentimental.
ferociousgumby 2 weeks ago
FOUR TOPS = EMOTION, FEELING, HARMONY, and PASSION / they have never sang a bad song and will forever Rank as ONE OF THE BEST GROUPS OF ALL TIME !! CASE CLOSED !
druhbe1996 2 months ago
Four Tops version! Hands down!!!
hogan85 2 months ago
Left Bank version is better!!!!!
MrRayFil 3 months ago
@MrRayFil says you
MotownMaster 3 months ago
what are the words I could not understand even in the other
jane78ist 4 months ago in playlist jane78ist's Favorited Videos
I saw the reorganized Four Tops live a few mths ago and Peoples (the only living member) told the story of how they ended up covering this song. While they were rehearsing in a studio, their manager, agent, etc were looking on from above. One of 'em bet to everyone watching that the Tops could make any song in the world a hit. The others took the bet and they chose this tune by the Left Banke (as it was on the Billboard Top 10 at the time) for the Tops to cover for the bet. Rest is history.
AKittenGoesMeow 4 months ago
what motowm grp did the song-hand me down my walking cane? can u plz post the grp for me...anyone? thxs a trillion and have a great day!
sandidesert 5 months ago
@sandidesert It was The Spinners. The name of the song is "Rubberband Man". And they were not with Motown at the time, they were with Atlantic.
MississippiRed1 5 months ago
Four Tops version all the way.
DirtyProgBeats 6 months ago
Interesting, I'm a child of the 60s myself, but I like both versions. The Left Bank's version is great too. A young teenager wrote this song, that's the most amazing thing.
lancetop 7 months ago 3
@lancetop I like both versions as well, there both very good
MotownMaster 7 months ago
motown is my favourite genre! always love it, love your channel
TheHigh94 7 months ago
Love it... 60's soul meets 60's rock
clarkbell 7 months ago
This version is a let down and the original is absolute perfection.
freddygoldstein 8 months ago
I think this song proves that the Four Tops had the most soul of any other sounds that Motown produced in the 1960's.Their harmony's were so rightous.I think they were way better than the Temps or Supremes.
pep103 8 months ago
Hey, MotownMaster = I really dig your posts [and spot-on comment retorts too]! Thx!
PhiZappaCrappa 9 months ago
Sorry. but a song done by someone else, can never be as good as the original artist who performed it. The Left Banke rules this song, I grew up it their day.
Debbera1 9 months ago
@Debbera1 Not necissarily true. I think that most would agree that 2 Whitney Houston songs ("Greatest Love of all" and "I will always Love you") were extremely more successful than they were for the original artists.
MississippiRed1 5 months ago
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Debbera1 9 months ago
Sorry, Left Banke sounds better.
deafsubtitles 9 months ago
I like the SONG, no matter who sings it, however, it is appropriate to give credit to the writers, without them, there wouldn't be a version to cover.
PianoSoulos 10 months ago
Totally remember my parents spinning this record
bun4body 10 months ago
I would like to add , Who had the most #1 Hits.........."just ask the lonely" (smiling)
wreepeet 10 months ago
Well to me you can never , down the original version of any song , all others are to me remakes , now wheather a remakes sounds good or whatever , is in the ear of the beholder.All other bullshit walks,one can't impose their view of something on someone else , ii happen to like both versions. Emotions and all. i think the Tops were so popular that every thing theyy remake sounds good. The leftbank made a nice song but the group turned out to be a flash in the pan .
wreepeet 10 months ago
How did they put so much beauty into their songs. There will never be another Four Tops.
swanboy2 11 months ago
I prefer this version ............just walk away ...and I did walk sadly away
70sbabe 11 months ago
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@Rao665 What's wrong with you? Are you one of these internet thugs? I'd love to see one of you tough guys talk like that to somebody's face. Go listen to some music that YOU like and leave the rest of us alone. If you really want to get in an argument about the music you don't like, then go to your local dive bar and hang out by the juke box until someone plays a song you don't like and then talk to THEM about it. I'll visit you in ICU, you meat-head
rhkingpin 11 months ago
@Rao665 What's wrong with you? Are you one of these internet thugs? I'd love to see one of you tough guys talk like that to somebody's face. Go listen to some music that YOU like and leave the rest of us alone. If you really want to get in an argument about the music you don't like, then go to your local dive bar and hang out by the juke box until someone plays a song you don't like and then talk to THEM about it. I'll visit you in ICU, you jerk-off
rhkingpin 11 months ago
Love that they put this song on the Four Tops. The group that did this originally sound good, but they lack the emotion that the Four Tops have, as well as the passion that they give in singing this song. Their rendition is powerful!
jarbon5 1 year ago
@jarbon5
uh no...the other song had more emotion. This sounded more like pop.
Rao665 11 months ago
@Rao665 Well, we could argue this til the world tires of revolving around the sun, jumps out of the solar system, and goes streaking through the universe as a cold and lonely planet in need of a sun to provide it with warm, life-giving rays, as well as some love, and a little bit of tenderness! Anyway, to me, this version will always sound better, more emotional, and much more powerful then the Left Bank version. And, there you have it...
jarbon5 11 months ago
I love this song, I love this version of it. This made me so happy, hearing it in a different way. Thanks for posting it!
OrisaOko 1 year ago
Ah, 45's. I have a box full of 'em. The first one I ever bought was Your So Vain by Carly Simon. The last one was Orinoco Flow back in 1988. Though they may be defunct now, I'd still like to see the high and mighty fuckin' iPod play one. Ya! You CAN'T, can you, you technological marvel.
phuckizlam 1 year ago
I love both versions. End of story --and song war...
moxie96 1 year ago
The original just has so much more beauty, pain and depth.
MayhemII 1 year ago
@ motwonmaster -I sometimes wish that youtube didn't have a space for commentary. I'm starting to really hate these people who are criticizing the song and you for posting it. They could just as easily listen to something else. You're doing a favor to the world by posting here. Thank you. Oh, do you have the Four Tops' version of California Dreamin'?
rhkingpin 1 year ago
@ motwonmaster -I sometimes wish that youtube didn't have a space for commentary. I'm starting to really hate these people who are criticizing the song and you for posting it. They could just as easily listen to something else. You're doing a favor to the world by posting here. Thank you.
rhkingpin 1 year ago
@rhkingpin
sorry...youtube isn't going to take out commentary just because some asshole gets butthurt about a 40 year old song from some motown group that took it from the original writers and singers.
Rao665 11 months ago
@Rao665
)X D - HEYYYYYY! ( : 0 - I'm not but hurt about the issue .... ( : D - just ass happy that they both sound really good!
jahellaspartan 9 months ago
I'm a big Four Tops fan, but on this song I think the original Left Banke version is the best.
nthom1956 1 year ago
its o.k. for The Old Man on Pawnstars to say "back in the day." Everybody else can not say it. It sounds contrived. I love Old Man but I hate everyone else so do not say it any more. Also, no more high fives. If I hear anyone saying skeetledee do like the old man on the insurance commercial i will be tempted to kill them. I hope it doesn't catch on like BITD.
MrPerryandrews 1 year ago
no man having tasted the old wine straightway desireth the new. but old wine is put in ...get the point? I kind of had it and lost it. The lead singer sounds like tom jones or tom jones sounds like him. Which is older? Who influenced whom? when old wine is put in new wineskins. but when new wine is put in old wineskins. are people wineskins? I am the vine.
MrPerryandrews 1 year ago
Motown Master.
moktook 1 year ago
Levi can add soul to any song I love his voice!!!
dougie2566 1 year ago
Does anyone know how high on the charts this song went for either group? I am a fan of The Left Banke original. Love the Four Tops, but not for this song!
fitmlong 1 year ago
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fitmlong 1 year ago
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fitmlong 1 year ago
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fitmlong 1 year ago
The original version of this song has a memorable harpsichord accompaniment and a falling chromatic bass melody that give it a dramatic baroque feeling to it. Motown forced its factory line heavy orchestral charted horn sections and beat too it that, although interesting version, truly killed the lyrics aching feeling.
skystealer4 1 year ago
Great song, Four Tops made it well known. I love to see the record, nostalgia! Thanks for the posting.
577666 1 year ago
MowtownMaster ....
Learn how to give credit where it's due .... The Four Tops are preforming their version of the hit song "Walk away Renee" an earlier, original hit written and preformed by The Left Banke! You didn't even have the class to at least say that much? LAME!
jahellaspartan 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@jahellaspartan well if the left banke's version was worth mentioning then i would have, and your lame
MotownMaster 1 year ago
@MotownMaster I'm flipping between between this and the original... gotta say "your" lame or is that you're lame... whatever
cesky69 1 year ago
@MotownMaster
bullshit. Left Banke owns this version. Lame ass version.
Rao665 11 months ago
@jahellaspartan Beacuse to me the left banks version is just ok, its not as great as the Tops!!!!
MotownMaster 11 months ago
@jahellaspartan
Sorry for the late reply. Unless you were there (which you weren't), it is beyond your capacity to decide who wrote which songs in the fantastistic era that you describe. Please desist from such claims.
DrewMurray1874 11 months ago
@jahellaspartan I agree, it's totally lame -- actually unprofessional -- not to credit the true artists behind the song, The Left Banke.
erachampions 9 months ago
@erachampions
Thank you for your honesty my friend.... I just wish Motown Master would of at LEAST, for the record, gave credit where it was due... whether he thought the Left bank's version was "just okay", or not, is not the point. it's about being respectfully fair! Many listeners either like both, or one of the two versions. I happen to like both (especially The Left bank version) Peace out!
jahellaspartan 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@jahellaspartan I agree, it's totally lame -- actually unprofessional -- not to cite/credit the true artists behind the song, The Left Banke.
erachampions 9 months ago
@jahellaspartan yah, and he cant spell the word "their" correctly!
m1kewithaone 9 months ago
Thank you MotownMaster for posting all of these Motown records. I was a young teenager in 1968 and I am proud to say I lived during that era! I miss them days and the music!
Genesgirl1955 1 year ago
Dude why the hell are you uploading it off of the record? You lost a shitload of the quality by recording on w/e mic you are recording off the speakers. Get with the times and do this digitally. But i do say, "It is a nice rendition of a recorded off the speakers"
Verdigo2020 1 year ago
kalan porter's version is rhe best..
oskee06 1 year ago
gives me goosebumps every time
andreamitchell1 1 year ago
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i've always heard that the writer of this song wasn't too thrilled with the Tops' version, nevertheless he more than got paid, though The Left Banke had the bigger hit with it on the charts( #5 to the Tops' #14) but this version is just as good....
d820m 1 year ago
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d820m 1 year ago
Too contrived. Might as well listen to Pat Boone mess it up.
Ardalla555 1 year ago 3
@Ardalla555 then please do
MotownMaster 1 year ago
@MotownMaster I love your retorts to the listeners that don't like what you do...If they don't like your posts, they can always listen elsewhere...I like your historical info, selection of songs, etc...If I ever run across one that I don't want to listen to, I pause it, and move on (that has only happened once or twice in 5 or so years)...You're doing everything right as far as I am concerned!
hollidayevery 1 year ago
@hollidayevery thank you very much, id love to post some new vids, but i need a new record player, as soon as i get one i will be posting new vids
MotownMaster 1 year ago
THIS SONG BELONGS TO THE " LEFT BANK E"
montecarlo0 1 year ago
Honestly, I just listened to them both again. This is just a bad pop cover. But it's just an opinion. This version just makes no sense, except to be a more up tempo song that could be played more on the radio back in the day.
ebsizzle14 1 year ago
I'm sorry. Listen the Four Tops are great, but this song did not need their interpretation. This version had soul, but the song makes no sense with soul. The song is about a guy breaking up with his girlfriend and having a painfully difficult time doing so; it seems like maybe she cheated on him but one can't know for sure. Bottom line Left Banke portrayed that emotion in the most perfect way. Martin's voice had a sad tone to it that went perfectly with the song. Why was this version necessary?
ebsizzle14 1 year ago
Completely removes the baroque beauty of the original, but yet.....the original comes across quite melancholy to me, but this has none of that. Far more optimistic, more anthemic if you will. Has an energy to it the original didn't have. The two versions are far enough removed to be different entities. Really not fair to go about with a "THIS WINS, OTHER VERSION SUCKS" attitude.
notaphaser 1 year ago 4
I am from Detroit, and I live in Detroit. Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops are all-time favorites. But I am sorry. The Left Banke original blows this rendition of the tune "Walk Away Renee" away...
Just an objective analysis.
seymouro 1 year ago
i love you Lisa R.I.P beautiful lady this song means so much
laybelieve666 1 year ago
The four tops version is good, but the original by the Left Banke is just awesome.
d8t30k54 1 year ago
I LOVED THE ORIGINAL BY THE LEFT BANKE AND THEN FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS VERSION ALSO.
petuniababi 1 year ago
The original sucked. Levi & the boys improved it vastly. The songwriter got paid regardless, so win-win.
IrisMG 1 year ago
@IrisMG The original version isnt bad, The Four Tops just gave it soul
MotownMaster 1 year ago
@MotownMaster I'm afraid I don't agree...can you live with that? :)
IrisMG 1 year ago
@MotownMaster YOU ARE OH SO RIGHT, I THINK IT WAS AWESOME THAT A 16 YEAR OLD HAD THIS MUCH INSIGHT ABOUT LOVE.
petuniababi 1 year ago
@IrisMG of couse,lol the Four Tops version is the best, thats why i posted it
MotownMaster 1 year ago
@IrisMG Are you for real? What a crass thing to say! The original, which the fabulous Four Tops did a brilliant version of, is still a classic, albeit a different genre of music. You should realise that the songwriter (Michael Brown) was barely more than 16 years old when he wrote this. Brilliant music will always shine through, so be respectful of talent, even if it's different to yours. This, and the original by the Left Banke, kicks the arse off any modern shit R n B
KoshmarUK 1 year ago
@KoshmarUK Nothing crass about it. In my opinion, The Left Banke sucks, and their version of this song sucked. I don't give a damn who wrote it, but your young songwriter got paid regardless. I'll bet you didn't know that much. Sorry if you have a problem with my opinion, but that's the way I feel about it. Yes, I am for real.
IrisMG 1 year ago
@IrisMG Well your attitude sucks, lady, It's a shame you think so negatively - without the Left Banke the song wouldn't have existed, and a great man like Levi Stubbs would have thought you suck too, and not in a good way. Take your head out of your arse and take a bigger look around yourself, FFS. Can't you just appreciate talent without being a dick?
KoshmarUK 1 year ago
@KoshmarUK The only thing I can appreciate is that The Four Tops agreed to perform this song and make a lot of money for your favorite songwriter by making it another hit. What I don't appreciate is your immaturity and lack of class. I'm not required to like what you like, son.
IrisMG 1 year ago
@IrisMG You don't half talk some crap, love. Are you telling me that Levi and the boys did this as a favour for the Left Banke? Rubbish - they knew a good tune when they heard it. It's not for charity, that's an insult to the Four Tops! I think that you're the immature one by suggesting I have some "favourite" to champion. Wrong - I can appreciate talent in any genre AND have an eclectic taste in music. You need to check in the attitude at the cloakroom, dear
KoshmarUK 1 year ago
@KoshmarUK You have maturity issues, you're 42 and act 16. I'm sorry you have such a vested interest in my opinion. I hate the Left Banke and I hate YOU. I'm glad that you don't represent all British folk because you are definitely low-class. The Four Tops wiped the floor with the Left Banke's version while getting them paid, and that is the final word I will have on this discussion. Your comments will be erased from now on.
IrisMG 1 year ago
@IrisMG Well, being an old trout you think that your opinion is somehow superior to everyone else's. What you know about music can be written on a cigarette packet with a wax crayon. Unfortunately you are so arrogant which is symptomatic of US american manners (apologies to the good US folk on here); as for hating me - big deal. If you think your word is final, it certainly isn't, & your lousy attitude is an insult to such class acts as the Tops and LB, not to mention the good folk here. Grow up
KoshmarUK 1 year ago
@IrisMG YES> The Left Bank could not wax the Four tops car!
boazrg 1 year ago
@IrisMG Now, if you are talking about the acapella version of "Walk Away Renee", THAT was absolutely AWESOME!! Second to none. Perhaps the best acapella rendition ever performed by anybody in any genre.
seymouro 1 year ago
To all of u that dont like this version,just know that the quality here is pretty bad & its playing too fast.I suggest u check out the acapella version here which is taken from the actual track.I defy u to say a bad thing about it & if u do then u dont know GOOD music,thanks.Gotta defend my 4TOPS.
iluvrachellef 1 year ago
I love The Four Tops, one of my favorie bands for sure back in the day. And I definitely give them props for covering this very cool tune but I just didn't think they did it all that well. It was just okay I guess.
trlblzn1 1 year ago
Mary was so rediculously fine!
TheMOONSHADE7 1 year ago
Why did they cover this? They didn't improve it? They didn't give it their own spin. I am amazed this charted as high as it did.
LTF6161 1 year ago
I think the Four Tops version was in sombetter than the Left Banke song.
Albacorewing 1 year ago
Levi Stubbs is the King !!!
boazyu 1 year ago
RIP, Larry, Levi and Obie, Long Live Duke Fakir
MotownMaster 1 year ago 6
@MotownMaster He was great,
wisdomcalls100 1 year ago
@MotownMaster pure magic this song, this side of the Atlantic also!
eshewerethin 1 year ago
@MotownMaster Damned straight! The Four Tops continued with hit after hit well into the seventies. Those later albums have a few gems, like "One Chain Don't Make No Prison". I put Levi right up there with Marvin and Smokey.
LesbianVampireLover 10 months ago
The sound on this is pretty bad. The record is much better, and anybody who doesn't think The Tops owned this song needs to lay off the mayo and Wonder Bread for a while.
joynthis 1 year ago
@joynthis I don't like may or wonder bread, and I don't like this cover version in the slightest. Frankly, this cover version sucks.
wenaolong 1 year ago
i prefer the top version!!!TO MY OPINION GIVES IT THE ORIGINAL FELLING OF THIS PRECIOUS SONG!!!
FernyBass007 1 year ago
Franklin is soul less individual. I enjoy, and own both versions. In fact, Thanks to this song, my daughter's middle name is Renee.
staRROCKET 1 year ago
LEFT 4 DEAD ME 2 ?
SPATFRAK 1 year ago
Not nearly as good as the orig. Left Banke version.
50zcarsman 1 year ago
Dear everyone, (All bad talkers),
SHUT THE FUCK UP!, ENJOY the damn song an' 'ave some damn SENSE.
LEF' LEVI ALONE, because he is WAS, IS and WILL ALWAYS BE the BEST Lead VOCALIST of ALL TIMES!!!!!, and TOPS CAN NEVER BE TOPPED by ANYONE!!!!!.
Jennykate1985 1 year ago
@Jennykate1985 Your histrionic denial of other people's points of view, undermines your own. When telling others to "shut up", for whatever reason, contemplate your powerlessness to force them to do so, and contemplate the hypocricy of telling them to shut up with your mouth wide open.
wenaolong 1 year ago
God this version sucked. REALLY hard. This loses the whole haunting sound that the Left Bank did - I like the Four Tops but they should be bitch-slapped for even attempting this song. Bad - bad - BAD.
franklinrocks1 1 year ago
Levi did nothing BAD!!!! YOU should be slapped for even saying he did!
calamityjann 1 year ago
@calamityjann
Horrible rendition. Just an abomination. They ought to be slapped TWICE for even considering trying to remake a classic. Gawd.
franklinrocks1 1 year ago
@franklinrocks1 I agree that it is horrible, but at least they tried. They should have "blacked it up" or "souled it up" a bit. Then who knows? I thought to myself when listening to this "Damn, it's like they tried to sing like Whites (Left Banke) and proved that this is virtually impossible to pull off and sound like anything but a parody". If there is blue-eyed soul, then what is this? It isn't the black counterpart, that's for sure.
wenaolong 1 year ago
@wenaolong I know it's all a matter opinion, but this is one of my favorite Four Tops songs...also, the Four Tops are a much bigger group overseas than the Supremes, or Temptations, so it seems as if European audiences rather like some of the less R&B songs that they recorded as well...They have nothing to be ashamed of with this beautiful rendition...just my opinion...as is your post is your opinion as well...
hollidayevery 1 year ago
One of my favorite songs ever. Damn damn. They don't make pop music like this.
pitbullgirl65 1 year ago
Long live the memory of Levi!!!
mlavfv 1 year ago
I think both versions are great. The original has that youthful innocence, and the Four Tops version has better voices, and it's a lot more soulful.
mjedelman 1 year ago
@mjedelman thank you
mlavfv 1 year ago
:@mjedelman: Thank you very much well said!.
Amoy1876 1 year ago
Not a Four Tops hater, but their version of this magificent song sucks. Sorry.
doowopisnumber1 1 year ago
@doowopisnumber1 whatever...mick jagger even stated Levi Stubbs had one of the strongest voices ever ...free speech but go back to grade school and learn good music sorry, but i think history on my side
mlavfv 1 year ago
@mlavfv I never knocked Levi Stubbs nor their music, but when you hear the original version compared to this, there's no comparison. Just because the Four Tops were more successful doesn't mean they sang this song better. They sound constipated compared to the beautiful voices of the Left Banke. This song wasn't supposed to be a soul song, just like you don't hear any pop groups trying to sing soul music.
doowopisnumber1 1 year ago
@doowopisnumber1 i think you would be surprised who covered what and who wrote what. check it out sometime.
mlavfv 1 year ago
@mlavfv
doowopisnumber1 1 year ago
@mlavfv Written by Michael Brown OF THE LEFT BANKE! Covered by the Tops two years later. I knew already, but I checked it out just for you.
doowopisnumber1 1 year ago
@mlavfv Written by Michael Brown OF THE LEFT BANKE! Covered by the Tops two years later. I knew already, but I checked it out just for you.
doowopisnumber1 1 year ago
:@doowopisnumber1: I respect your opinion, but donot blame the tops, H-D-H PRODUCED IT!.
Amoy1876 1 year ago
There is MUCH to be said for the original Left Banke 1966 recording AND for the FourTops 1968 recording. I don't know how you couldn't like both ~ each bring something a little different to the table.
MrRonnieG 1 year ago
I love music no racism.
easyway2001 1 year ago
one of my fav songs..
foreverashcroft 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
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spudjapeleno 1 year ago
thanks for posting - love your taste in music!! i will subscribe!
nutbagbrew102 1 year ago
I think the left Banke version was good because it was the original but the 4 tops did a good job with it too
wreepeet 1 year ago
Four Tops version all the way. This stuff is gold. I remember singing this to an African American girl in my class as she was walking down to the hall. She was lovely.
cracks21229 1 year ago
The best version ever!
honeybunch1231 1 year ago
4 tops and left banke = tie
stubbyguy 2 years ago
Left Banke all the way!
assmunch1 2 years ago 2
Hey, the Four Tops are great as well. Motown rules!
SebastianAxlRose 2 years ago
you saw rain doing beatles?! how could they pull that off?!
wilkes85 2 years ago
this is HORRIBLE!!! the Left Banke's version is MUCH better.
This one sounds like bad drunken karaoke.
wilkes85 2 years ago
bullcrap. left banke sings it with NO SOUL. a song like this NEEDS soul. and thats just the bad quality of the video. the sound is coming from an external object making it sound not as good
juke521 2 years ago
I've heard a high quality version, and it's even worse, at least the quality of this video masks the shittiness of their singing.
wilkes85 2 years ago
WHOA. Get real, dude. It's 60s baroque pop! It's perfect in its original form; I'm not saying this is terrible, but The Left Banke did a wonderful job of capturing feeling.
The kid was 16 when he wrote it!
iamlameduck 2 years ago 2
Not bad, but pales compared to the original Left Banke version.
55westend 2 years ago
I don't care for this. Nothing can beat the original verison, done by "The Left Banke"
magpieeye 2 years ago 2
What a great time for music, amidst all of the violence of Viet Nam, such beautiful music was being made...such an amazing time for music and such a sad time for the world
KingJeffrey1st 2 years ago
No one could sing like Levi, I saw them in San Francisco in 1991 he still had it...
mplm09 2 years ago 3
i only dig the original version. copies made fraud stars... like vegas. you never see copy cats do the beatles. guess why?
cshargeit 2 years ago
why?
mhk0af 2 years ago
my names renee=)
ChewbaccaRenee 2 years ago
my comment from two months ago is true
Kruegerisgod 2 years ago
How come you didn't upload "I Can't Help Myself"? I'm amazed nobody uploaded that classic but me.
VinylKid3000 2 years ago
because its called "sugar pie honey bunch" ... not "i cant help myself"
piessenburg 2 years ago 2
No it isn't. It's called "I Can't Help Myself". If you don't believe me, watch my upload and look at the song title on the 45's label.
VinylKid3000 2 years ago 2
It's actually called " I can't help myself ( sugar pie honey bunch ) ...........try checking out the Four Tops website........and I'm looking at the record label right now
trublugeoff 2 years ago
Two other version of this beautiful song are fantastic.
Cyndi Lauper & Peter Kinsbury
Southside Johnnie
xepobnnha666 2 years ago
four tops cant be touched! yet left bank's is a rather haunting version.
gloriamichaelc 2 years ago
Doesn't anybody know that Dennis Stefani and Patti Flynn were inspired to name their daughter Gwen Renee Stefani (Yes the No Doubt Girl)after this song.That's awesome
Kruegerisgod 2 years ago
wow you can read wikipedia. you are a genius!!
mhk0af 2 years ago
I've heard that all over the place not wikipedia.her middle is Renee.
Kruegerisgod 2 years ago
Sorry for the sarcasm, its nice to know that there are still people who appreciate good music. FYI wikipedia lists some interesting facts about the song.
mhk0af 2 years ago
I like Motown and R&B Like Jackson 5(Young days),Temptations,Four Tops, Originals, good stuff like that.
Kruegerisgod 2 years ago 4
I loved both versions of this song by The Four Tops and The Left Banke.The Four Tops version had that soulful sound to me that was what the Motown sound was all about.I think group The Four Tops was the best all around group of the whole Motown sound even better than The Temptations.
pep103 2 years ago 3
Agree 100%
SuperPhunThyme9 2 years ago
The Left Bank's version is better still.
deafsubtitles 2 years ago
Let's debate about that.
BotMai 2 years ago
:) We could. But The Left Banke's original version is what I have been listening to for years. Glad you like the song, regardless of who sings it.
deafsubtitles 2 years ago 2
I like the "Four Tops" slight syncopation in the phrase "You won't see me follow you back home."
varsityredheads 2 years ago 3
For me it is the harmonization when the chorus was sung and the flute on the Left Banke version.
deafsubtitles 2 years ago
Simply one of the best songs I have ever herd.
ThePeacepoet 2 years ago 6
class just class
cmsobota 2 years ago 5
ever since I heard this song i wanted to be named renee......lmao so i could walk away
taylormade5775 2 years ago
@MotownMaster: Keep on doing what yer doing. I am LOVING it! Thanks! :)
wopman1010 2 years ago 2
It was bubblegum music then, but now so pretty!
chrisclement2006 2 years ago
.........heaven..................just heaven.
norarghh 2 years ago 3
MissKateUK, and FernyBass007, I feel the same way!!! Beautiful, memorable music.
oralee95 2 years ago 2