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The Temptations - What’s Easy For Two Is So Hard For One
This Temptations rendition of the Mary Wells single is an interesting case study on Motown and gender. The ways that lyrics were often changed in Studio A for male and female leads were alone incredibly telling; and Smokey’s choice to have Mary Wells sing “Come on take me by the hand and lead me up to that preacher man,” while having Paul Williams assert “I’m going to take you by the hand …” is itself fairly nauseating. But the difference in vocal delivery, too, is incredibly striking.
While Paul Williams’ lead, originally intended for the Temptations Sing Smokey album, is an incredibly forward, sexually-charged, almost brash come-on, Mary Wells’ vocals make the same words sound like a shy inquiry. Paul sounds like a man taking a woman by the hand and pulling her out to the dance floor, while Mary sounds like the bashful girl sitting in the corner and hoping a guy will notice her. As Mary was capable of far more forceful and self-assured delivery, and Paul more than skillful when it came to subtlety, this seems likely to be indicative of further production choices — and gender role assumptions — by writer Smokey Robinson.
In any case, like Happy Landing, this is a track that should have been more seriously considered for the Temptations Sing Smokey album, despite its cumbersome title. The LP was in need of some more up-tempo songs, and either would have made a far finer choice for release than the Tempts’ surprisingly disappointing and unconvincing take on You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me.
Scanned from The Temptations’ 1967 concert program
Being congratulated on a great performance by Ed Sullivan
Scanned from The Temptations’ 1967 concert program; click for larger
The Temptations perform at the Michigan State Fair.
What was WITH audiences in the 60s? PEOPLE. LADIES. David Ruffin is singing that close to you. And you are sitting calmly in your seats!!! What is wrong with you????
