I’ve decided to take another look back into the past as I consider the Top 50 Spinners songs. They started with Motown and did a few singles and two albums under that label. But, it was with Atlantic Records and working with Thom Bell that they really came to stake their claim as important artists of the time. They became part of what was called “The Philadelphia Sound.”
Confusion
There was plenty, especially in the UK. In England, there was already a folk group called The Spinners. They had been around a long time and were well-known. The American ‘Spinners’ had to amend their name for the British market and were referred to as either the “Detroit Spinners” or the “Motown Spinners.”
Formed in 1954 in Michigan, they had a spectacular career that lasted decades. Their first album was released in 1967, and the last in 2021. There have been personnel changes, of course, but the name and the style stayed the same. They sang funky dance material and mixed it up with classic love ballads. They were there at a time when R&B and Soul music was evolving and becoming more popular.
So, let’s have a look at a singing group that weathered all kinds of musical change and came through it all. And recorded some classic material along the way. It is subjective, of course, but here are The Spinners’ Top 10 songs, in my humble opinion, starting with…
Top 50 Spinners Songs of All Time
1 Working My Way Back to You
This is a song that is synonymous with The Four Seasons and their single in 1966. But, The Spinners enjoyed huge success with it in 1979. It was included on their album Dancin’ and Lovin’.
The arrangement is not particularly different from the original, but it has that distinctive Soul sound of the late-70s and early-80s. Something that Atlantic Records were able to produce. It is a bouncy song that was written by Denny Randell and Sandy Lizner.
It was always going to be a big hit…
And, so it turned out. It hit the top spot in the UK and #2 in America and also did well in Canada and Australia. The arrangement includes hints of a range of musical styles.
You can hear the R&B and Soul influence which made the song ideal for the Disco market at which it was presumably aimed. Typically good vocals and backing harmonies kick off this list with a winner.
2 I’ll Always Love You
Before you get too confused, this is not the Dolly Parton song from The Bodyguard movie sung by Whitney Houston. This is a song from the album Original Spinners which was released in 1967. However, the single was released two years earlier, in 1965.
The song was written by Ivy Jo Hunter and Mickey Stevenson. It reached #35 in America but did better in Canada, peaking at #7. The drum and bass introduction is very Motown. A cross between “Nowhere to Run” by Martha and The Vandellas and something you might have heard from the Four Tops. A sound popular at the time, you could say.
3 Games People Play
The question some are asking at this point is, “Are they doing this on purpose?” We saw a track with the same name but not the song from The Bodyguard. Now we have a song with the same title as the Joe South classic from 1968.
This is not that song either…
The Spinners’ song was released in 1975 and was produced by Thom Bell. It was taken from the album Pick of the Litter. The album climbed to #8 on the American Album chart. In addition, the single reached #5 in America and #21 in Canada.
This is what might be described as a stand-out track from The Spinners. Not for any great musical or vocal achievements, but purely because of its arrangement and production. It goes against the grain of what had gone before.
A dominant piano part and interesting accents give it a slight jazz feeling. And Evette Bentons vocal addition lifts it to another level. A nice track, and if you aren’t familiar with it, then you will be surprised.
4 I’ll Be Around
If you are a fan of Soul Music, then this is going to be a song you will enjoy. It is taken from the album Spinners, which was released in 1973, although the single was released in 1972.
It is essentially an up-tempo love song. Everything you expect to hear is included. Good harmonies and a soulful lead vocal with the essential 70s soul-string arrangements.
“I’ll Be Around” was initially released as a B-side but became more popular than the A-side it was supporting. This was also one of the most successful albums produced by Thom Bell at Atlantic. Likewise, it is one of the most well-known Spinners songs.
5 One of a Kind (Love Affair)
Staying with the 1973 album Spinners, this is a track released in 1973 that reached #11 on the American chart. Once again, it was produced by Thom Bell. This is a period when The Spinners were possibly at their best and probably at their most commercial.
A slightly different sound to the production of this song. A slower tempo but still a good soul feel as the song talks about everlasting love. Plenty of their trademark vocals and, of course, the strings that were now a permanent feature of their songs.
6 Then Came You
This is a song recorded with Dionne Warwick in 1974. She included it on her album of the same name. It was released at a time in the mid-70s when her popularity was starting to move in a downward spiral. This song went to #1 in America, #7 in Canada, and #29 in the UK and revived her fortunes somewhat.
It didn’t do The Spinners any harm, either. At the time, they were recognized as one of the top vocal harmony groups. But working with Dionne Warwick, one of the best voices for two decades, was a step up for them.
The song has an upbeat tempo and what is known as a “good groove.” And, with Warwick and The Spinners combining their harmonies, it was always going to be a success. Her vocals add so much and made this a song that is still popular today. So, it had to be included in the Top 50 Spinners songs.
7 Mighty Love
In 1974, The Spinners released two albums, Mighty Love was one. This is a single taken from that album. The single reached #20 on the American chart. It’s a very typical track that was popular at the time. After the “philosophical” and “protest” mood of the 60s, the 70s became much more joyful and lighthearted.
Perhaps that was an understandable reaction. People wanted to feel happy, and the Motown and Philly sounds of the time gave them that. There is no better example of that than “Mighty Love.” One of the songs that defined the Soul Music scene of the 70s, and easily one of the best songs by The Spinners.
8 The Rubberband Man
A strange title hides what was a change of style and a song that became instantly recognizable. This is a much funkier song with some interesting synth sounds. Great horns also add to the drama.
Soul Music was on the cusp of change, led by the Motown group, The Temptations. The 70s saw them start to become funkier and make social and political songs like “Ball Of Confusion” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.” Maybe “The Rubberband Man” was an attempt to join that particular party.
If that is what it was, then it worked. It showed The Spinners in a different light as had The Temptations material. This was released in 1976 and reached #2 in America, #7 in Canada, and #16 in the UK. In my view, one of the most memorable Spinners songs. It was to be their last big hit record for three years.
9 It’s A Shame
Back to 1970 now and this song that just everybody will know. The Disco scene was beginning to arrive, albeit slowly, and this was a track you might hear several times a night. It was taken from their album 2nd Time Around.
At the time, “It’s A Shame” was the most successful Spinners song reaching #14 in America and #20 in the UK. Even though the lyrics talk about someone not treating their partner well, it has an infectious rhythm and style. That makes it sound like a “happy” song. As I mentioned earlier, a time when music was moving into a happy space driven along by the Pop-Soul songs of the time.
10 Could It Be I’m Falling in Love
There are so many songs that could have been #1 on this list. But, in the end, it had to be this one. This is a song released in 1973 and a track from their successful Spinners album.
This is a song written by two songwriting brothers for Atlantic Records, Melvin and Mervin Steals. “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” was their second single on Atlantic and proved to be one of their most successful recordings. It reached #4 in America, #11 in the UK, and #12 in Canada. Its delivery and smooth vocal sound quickly made this song popular and one of their classic and best-known recordings.
11Living a Little, Laughing a Little
12Ghetto Child
13Sadie
14Cupid/I’ve Loved You for a Long Time
15Love or Leave
16I Just Want to Fall in Love
17Heavy on the Sunshine
18Body Language
19Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You
20Feel the Need in Me
21Heaven on Earth (So Fine)
22I’ll Always Love You (in My Own Way)
23Honest I Do
24Never Thought I’d Fall in Love
25Easy Come, Easy Go
26The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
27They Just Can’t Stop It (Games People Play)
28Love Don’t Love Nobody
29You Made a Promise to Me
30Throw It Down, Shake Your Body
31Smile, We Have Each Other
32You Got the Love That I Need
33All That Glitters Ain’t Gold
34Ain’t No Price on Happiness
35You’re Throwing a Good Love Away
36I’m Coming Home
37Back in the Arms of Love
38I’m Tired of Giving
39Lifetime of Love
40Message From A Black Man
41If You Wanna Do a Dance
42Love Is in Season
43(She’s Gonna Love Me) At Sundown
44I Cross My Heart
45Love Trippin’
46Magic In The Moonlight
47One Step Away
48Sadie (She Smokes)
49I’ll Be Around (When You Want Me)
50We Belong Together
Need More Soul and R&B Music?
If so, check out our thoughts on the Best Songs by The Commodores, the Top 10 Jackson 5 Songs, the Best Songs By Al Green, the Best Earth Wind and Fire Songs of All Time, and the Best R&B Songs of All Time for more incredible song selections.
Top 50 Spinners Songs – Final Thoughts
Some might say they went under the radar at the time. Other groups seemed to take more of the limelight. The Miracles with Smokey Robinson and, of course, The Temptations. Even The Four Tops, The Stylistics, and The Delfonics.
Those are the names that most think of first. But, The Spinners were right there in amongst them all and producing quality Soul-Pop songs. You can hear more of them in The Very Best of the Spinners. If you are in the mood for a little 70s happy music, there aren’t many better places to go.
Until next time, happy listening.
