The Four Tops

Track Listings

1. Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)

2. My Girl

3. It's All the Game

4. That's the Way Love Goes

5. Papa Was a Rolling Stone

6. Ride Like the Wind

7. Lover in Me and You

8. When She Was My Girl

9. Reach Out (I'll Be There)

10. Your Turn to Cry

11. Whenever I'm With You

12. All Night Long (All Night)

The Four Tops,The Four Tops,St. Clair Records,Motown,Pop,Pop-Soul,R&B,Soul,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

The Four Tops

Tracks:

Reach Out I'll Be There
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Bernadette
Ask The Lonely
Baby I Need Your Loving
Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worth While)
It's The Same Old Song
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
I Can't Help Myself (Suger Pie, Honey Bunch)
Something About You
I Got A Feeling
I'm In A Different World
Walk Away Renee
What Is A Man
A Simple Game
Still Water (Love)
(It's The Way) Nature Planned It
It's All In The Game
You Keep Running Away
If You Don't Want My Love
7-Rooms Of Gloom
I'll Turn To Stone
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)
Sad Souvenirs
Yesterday's Dreams

Amazon.com

Cramming 25 songs onto a single CD, this set captures the Tops during their peak 1960s years, when they rode the pens of Holland, Dozier, and Holland to the top of the charts. Combining the writers' pop melodies, a gentle Motown groove, and Levi Stubbs' earthy lead vocals, the group landed 11 Top 40 singles by 1967, all of which are included on this compilation. Unfortunately, The Ultimate Collection omits later gems such as "Keeper of the Castle," "Ain't No Woman," and "When She Was My Girl," but that leaves room to delve into the unique partnership between the Tops and their songwriting triumvirate. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Ultimate Four Tops.......2007-05-26

Another great Motown classic! This includes all of their hits and then some.

Let's Cruise the Boulevard!!!.......2007-03-12

Wonderful CD. Probably the greatest Motown groups ever. Great lyrics and expressions of love. My 23 yr old son even liked it. I'm surprised more current day artists havent redone some of these classics. Made me want to go cruise Bellflower Blvd in a 63 Chevy low-rider!!

Sound quality deserves something better... Good compilation anyway!.......2007-03-06

No Soul fan can say he/she has heard the best of Soul, without having this good compilation of Four Tops greatest hits. "Reach Out I'll be There", "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" and other great hits from this excellent vocal group are included.

One of Motowns Best-Ever Groups!.......2006-05-02

The Four Tops were formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1953 though they never really struck lucky until they signed to Berry Gordys pioneering all-black record label, Tamla Motown Records, home to many legendary soul acts including Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves And The Vandellas, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Marvelettes and many, many more.

The Four Tops were just simply a KNOCKOUT! Lead singer Levi Stubbs rocketing vocal delivery was capable of such impressive, immense power and volume and were one of Motowns best male acts during the companys heyday in the swinging sixties.

The Four Tops, like Diana Ross and the Supremes, enjoyed an extensive and dynamic collaboration with the genius songwriting and production trio, Holland-Dozier-Holland. Holland-Dozier-Holland helped put Motown Records on the map by creating and defining that classic Motown sound of the 60's along with the legendary muscian team known as The Funk Brothers. The Four Tops enjoyed a river of classics through the duration of the 1960's with the most magical of these offerings recorded under the guidance of Holland-Dozier-Holland.

I Can't Help Myself, one of The Four Tops signature tunes, contained a hooky melody and lyrics that could appeal to both the spirited and the saccharine. Levi Stubbs inimitable and persuasive voice on this classic is just pure SOUL! I Can't Help Myself shot up the charts landing at No.1.

The follow up to I Can't Help Myself, the appropriately titled It's The Same Old Song admitedly lacked the initial immediacy of that track but still holds its own individual merits and became another classic to their credit.

In 1966 The Four Tops literally exploded onto the charts with the far more adventurous and highly ambitious Reach Out I'll Be There. Reach Out I'll Be There was haunting and atmospheric in its tone. Levi Stubbs puts in another phenomenal, breathtaking performance with his grittily earthy, soulful delivery seamlessly surfboarding along the tidal wave of musical arrangements that consists of flutes, oboes and tambourines. It also delivered The Four Tops their first real taste of big chart success in the U.K. In the U.S Reach Out I'll Be There became their second chart topper.

The Four Tops music was always dramatically orchestrated that lands somewhere between soul,r&b and pop. Their staggeringly impressive run of hits continued with the magnificent Standing In The Shadows Of Love where there diverse and unique blend of harmonies gel remarkably well together which adds to its dazzling, magical effect.

Bernadatte was yet another infectious classic with its masterpiece musical production and astounding delivery from Levi Stubbs but there is a far darker and more atmospheric mood on the chilly and haunting 7 Rooms Of Gloom. Stubbs' whips along the verses with utter conviction that's literally spine-tingling across the rollercoaster and stark musical arrangements.

Holland-Dozier-Holland swiftly left Motown Records in early 1968 after a bitter dispute over back royalty payments with Motown boss Berry Gordy (many of Motowns stars subsequently sued the company years later for claims of unpaid record royalties). The Motown sound was slowly dissolving after their departure and was virtually extinct by the early 70's following Motowns headquarters move from downtown Detroit to swinging L.A. As a result The Four Tops chart-action became erratic.

They did still manage to come up with some winners. Their divine, unique cover of The Left Bankes' Walk Away Renee, which is arguably far more effective than the origanal and mereley conveyed Levi Stubbs versatile vocal approach. Walk Away Renee commendably proved that Stubbs' unforgetable voice could be just as effective when working on ballads. Walk Away Renee may have been sombre in its tone though still had a touching quality.

Another excellent ballad from The Four Tops that emerged in the late 60's was another atmospheric number, Still Waters Run. This classic hit was a remarkably exhilirating masterpiece featuring an exuberant performance from Stubbs. Still Waters Run also captures Stubbs' at perharps his smoochiest.

It's All In The Game and If I Were A Carpenter both encapsulate that swinging Motown sound and both are of significant value to this collection. However by the early 70's their once unstoppable momentum was now sadly beginning to wear thin. The Four Tops fled from Motown Records in the early 70s and had a number of record deals that didn't amount to too much and gradually they faded from view (though enjoyed a few minor revivals in the 1980's).

To this day The Four Tops continue to sporadically perform on the customary golden oldies circuit but its their glorious, golden 1960's era for what they will always be remembered for. This compilation titled The Ultimate Collection guides you through these fabulous, ground-breaking classics and capture the group at their prime. The Four Tops - The Ultimate Collection is ESSENTIAL to any serious soul music collection!

You get what you pay for!.......2005-09-24

Great group, great cd, great value. This Cd has all the hits, its a must buy.

Average customer rating:

A Quality Compilation
1st cd was great
The Four Tops-50th Anniversary Anthology
Van's Review
Four Tops

50th Anniversary Anthology
The Four Tops
Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00016MSYE
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

Baby I Need Your Loving
Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worthwhile)
Ask The Lonely
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
It's The Same Old Song
Something About You
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
Reach Out I'll Be There
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Bernadette
I Got A Feeling
7-Rooms Of Gloom
I'll Turn To Stone
You Keep Running Away
Walk Away Renee (Alternate Mix)
If I Were A Carpenter
Yesterday's Dreams
I'm In A Different World
What Is A Man
Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me (Stereo Single Mix)
It's All In The Game
Still Water (Love)
River Deep-Mountain High (Stereo Single Edit)
Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)
In These Changing Times
MacArthur Park (Part II)

Tracks:

A Simple Game (U.K. Single Mix)
I Can't Quit Your Love
(It's The Way) Nature Planned It
Keeper Of The Castle
Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)
Are You Man Enough
Sweet Understanding Love
I Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind
One Chain Don't Make No Prison
Midnight Flower
Seven Lonely Nights
We All Gotta Stick Together
Catfish
H.E.L.P.
When She Was My Girl
Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over
I Believe In You And Me
Back To School Again
I Just Can't Walk Away
Mean Green Mother From Outer Space - Levi Stubbs And Chorus
Indestructible (7-Inch Extended Single)

Album Description

The Four Tops' musical passion captures your ear. Their overflowing joy catches your eye. Their four souls touch yours and you succumb. You smile broadly, sing along, sway your hips and arms from side to side, and you dance that "Four Tops boogaloo" forever. It's been 50 years since Renaldo (Obie) Benson, Abdul (Duke) Fakir, Lawrence Payton and Levi Stubbs first sang together at a weekend party in Detroit's North End in 1954. The party's host asked the four, each from a different group, to sing for the gathering. They liked the results and decided to make things permanent.

* 50 Years Of Hits and Counting.
* Two Career-Spanning CDs Featuring I CAN'T HELP MYSELF, REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE, BABY I NEED YOUR LOVING, WHEN SHE WAS MY GIRL, AIN'T NO WOMAN and Many More.
* Newly Remastered, Great-Sounding Mixes, New Essay and Photos from the Archives!

Customer Reviews:

A Quality Compilation.......2007-03-19

Even today, the Four Tops are one of the most recognizable groups. They've certainly come a long way since they were called the Four Aims in the mid-1950s. The problem comes when you are deciding which album to buy. If you're looking for a collection with all of their hits, this is the one. I purchased this album and was pleasantly surprised to listen to the string of hits included, and even the lesser-known songs.

Many compilations exist, but I doubt you'll find one that encompasses any more without springing for a box set. The quality of the sound in this release is amazing. This should definitely be the standard for future anthologies and compilations. This collection chronicles their entire career (minus their Christmas album) and has every hit you could ask for. Do yourself a favor and buy it today. You won't regret it.

1st cd was great.......2007-03-16

The 1st cd was great to listen to. Brought back memories. The 2nd cd had songs on it that I never heard and was probably a waste. Would not recommend purchasing.

The Four Tops-50th Anniversary Anthology .......2007-03-09

I really enjoy this CD because it has so many of the earlier hits.

Van's Review.......2007-01-20

This is the music I grew up with. Motown has many legendary performers and the 4 Tops are among the best. I was pleased with most of the tracks included on these cds, but there are some tracks which don't hit the high note, regardless you can't overlook hits like Keeper Of The Castle, Still Water (Love),Standing In The Shadows Of Love,It's All In The Game, etc.
This collection deserves much listening to!

Four Tops.......2006-11-10

I love the Four Tops and it's great to have all of this good music!!

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Four Tops

Average customer rating:

Nostalgic!
The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Four Tops
What A Sham
Very Essential

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Manufacturer: Motown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Ultimate Collection

ASIN: B00003002L
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Tracks:

Baby I Need Your Loving
Ask The Lonely
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
Reach Out I'll Be There
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Bernadette
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)
Walk Away Renee
If I Were A Carpenter
Still Water (Love)
Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)

Customer Reviews:

Nostalgic!.......2007-01-09

My husband and I love the Four Tops and this CD is a blast from the past! We were married in the late 60's and this is our kind of music!

The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Four Tops.......2006-07-13

What a great CD. It brought back so many great memories as a teenager.

What A Sham.......2005-01-06

This collection had me foolishly thinking that this was all the Four Tops had to offer. Boy was I wrong, I heard It's The Same Old Song, I Believe In You And Me and other of the Tops hits and i felt cheated. I now have the Anthology which includes 48 songs. The two aforementioned songs as well as 'You Keep Running Away', 'River Deep, Mountain High', 'It's All In The Game' and all of their ABC/Dunhill hits like 'One Chain' and 'Are You Man Enough' are on the Anthology. Don't bother with this collection and get the Anthology.

Very Essential.......2000-06-13

If You Haven't Heard these Classics Before then this is a Must.The Four Tops Have Recorded so Many Great Songs.The Words&Music are TImeless.Great Production&Musicianship.Most Importantly are The Vocals.which Todays Vocal Groups don't have.Quality of The Highest Level.

Average customer rating:

FOUR TOPS GET BETTER WITH TIME!
My vote for best R&B group ever!
Best Single Disc Overview Of The Tops
The Classic Four Tops
Very Essential

Essential Tops
The Four Tops
Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000050I1X
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Baby I Need Your Lovin
Ask The Lonely
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
It's The Same Old Song
Reach Out I'll Be There
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Shake Me Wake Me (When It's Over)
Bernadette
Walk Away Renee
You Keep Running Away
If I Were A Carpenter
Still Water (Love)
It's All In The Game
(It's The Way) Nature Planned It
Ain't No Woman (Like The One I Got)
Keeper Of The Castle
Are You Man Enough
Sweet Understanding Love
One Chain Don't Make No Prison
Midnight Flower
Catfish
When She Was My Girl
I Just Can't Walk Away
I Believe In You And Me

Album Description

The Four Tops' story began in 1953 in Detroit, Michigan, where the original four members were born and raised. At the birthday party of a friend, the four were asked to sing. they complied and enjoyed the impromptu experience so much that they repeated it the next day at one of the members' houses, deciding immediately to form a group. Originally "The Four Aims", the fellas began honing their chops via local high school graduation receptions, talent shows, church functions and the oa 'diva' by music industry insiders and media alike.

What, you might ask, does this have to do with @ngela Winbush? Well, it's pretty simple: if we apply the dictionary definition of the word to the extraordinary Ms. Winbush, we can rightfully say that she is indeed a diva of the highest order. Forget about temperament, attitude or manner: @ngela's consummate vocal skills place her head and shouldersP> No need for an official declaration or ceremony, as it's been clear for a long time: the Dramatics are one itual Black pride messages with Curtis Mayfield at the helm, to their '70s triumphs and beyond, the Impressions possess an awe-inspiring catalog. This 20-song collection - spanning from 1958 to 1975 - represents the Impressions at their most indelible.

Childhood friends Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield spearheaded the Impressions, having sung and traveled together in Chicago with the Northern Jubilee singers and in Curtis' grandmother Reverend Anna-Bell Mayfield's Traveling Soul Spiritual Church. Outside of gospel, Mayfield, based on Chicago's West Side, sang with the Alphatones. When his family moved to the North Side, rehearsing became increasingly strained. Butler convinced a 15-year-old Mayfield to join his group, the Roosters (with Sam Gooden and brothers Arthur and Richard Brooks), because he felt they needed someone who could play guitar and help hone their harmonies. Mayfield dropped out of school to do so and the Roosters became the Impressions when that name was chosen from several in a hat.

Customer Reviews:

FOUR TOPS GET BETTER WITH TIME!.......2007-01-06

I ALREADY HAVE THIS ALBUM AS A VINYL,SO OF COURSE I HAD TO REPLACE IT NOW
AS A CD.ON THIS ALBUM "LEVI STUBBS"THE LEAD SINGER DOES A SONG CALLED,"I JUST CAN'T WALK AWAY".IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SONG AND THE INSTRUMENTAL PART GIVES ME GOOSE BUMPS.AS ALWAYS THE FOUR TOPS ARE A GREAT GROUP,BUT I ENJOY
A LOT OF SONGS THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD,AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.IF YOUR
A FOUR TOPS FAN YOU'LL ENJOY IT.PEACE AND BLESSINGS

My vote for best R&B group ever!.......2004-08-21

I'm not going to write a biography on these guys but I am going to tell those who do not know much of this group or their music and are looking for a fantastic collection of excellent R&B hits from a group of classic performers this is the album to get! I feel that 'The Four Tops' were definitely not given the recognition that they deserve. It seems like the other Motown artists who were popular during the same time such as the Temptations, Supremes, The Miracles, and Marvin Gaye were given much more attention than the Four Tops were. But let me tell you, if you want to know what pure soul sounds like just listen to the vocals of lead singer, Levi Stubbs, on songs such as 'Baby, I need your loving' or even in their works in the 70's like 'Ain't No Woman (like the one I got)' and you'll be hooked on his voice! His is one of the most strong, soulful and sexy voices of the 60's! One of the things I liked the best about this album is that it is full of songs that you would never hear on the radio and it's a shame because some are hidden gems. This is a CD that has one great song after another. Do yourself a favor and get this CD if you don't have it yet!

Best Single Disc Overview Of The Tops.......2003-07-30

This disc lives up to its name with major representation from all of the labels that the Four Tops recorded for from 1963 through 1983. Motown of course is where they recorded the bulk of their hits and that tenure is represented on the first 14 recordings. The leadoff track - 1964's "Baby I Need your Loving" - was the Tops' first collaboration with the songwriting-production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. It established a winning formula: lyrics that entail Levi yearning for or proclaiming his love for a girl he has lost or can't have; pulsating music cut in a (high) key out of Stubbs' regular vocal range, the subsequent strain causing his pleas to sound even more dramatic; background vocals with a full, almost Spectorian resonance, thanks to the addition of Motown's resident session singers, the Andantes.

After a mediocre "Baby I Need Your Loving" soundalike "Without The One You Love" (not included here) stiffed, the Tops rebounded in 1965 with the majestic ballad "Ask The Lonely," their first number one smash "I Can't Help Myself" and "It's The Same Old Song" (and truly the latter was, a melodic retread of "I Can't Help Myself"). They reached their commercial peak in late 1966 to early 1967 with the powerful "Reach Out ("I'll Be There)," "Standing In The Shadows Of Love," and "Bernadette." In late 1967, however, Holland-Dozier-Holland abruptly left Motown in a dispute over financial compensation. This prompted the label to release year-old remakes of "Walk Away Renee" and "If I Were A Carpenter" as follow-up Tops' singles. They are proof that the Tops could make a hit out of practically anything.

In 1968 and 1969, other Motown writer-producers like Ivy Jo Hunter, Johnny Bristol, and Norman Whitfield attempted to fill the void left by Holland-Dozier-Holland's exit. None of their work with the Tops, however, penetrated the pop or r & b top 20 (and none of it is included here). In 1970, Frank Wilson took over as the Tops' producer for the landmark Still Waters concept album. Wilson ditched the Andantes from the background and put more emphasis on the Tops harmonies. As evidenced by the hits "It's All In the Game" and "Still Water (Love)," the Tops had risen to new melodic heights. They were followed by more of Frank Wilson's well-crafted singles like the enclosed "(It's The Way) Nature Planned It."

Unfortunately these 1971-1972 follow-ups received little promotional support from Motown and struggled on the charts. Frustrated, the Tops left the label in late 1972 and signed with ABC subsidiary Dunhill Records. They immediately hit with the urban message song "Keeper Of The Castle," the Shaft in Africa theme "Are You Man Enough," and the multi-format symphonic smash "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)." With the countrified "Sweet Understand Love" and their funkiest recording ever "One Chain Don't Make No Prison," the Tops maintained the high quality, but their final ABC/Dunhill hits in 1976/77(the disco "Catfish," the reggae in molasses "Midnight Flower") were duds.

In 1981 the Tops signed with Casablanca and released two of their strongest albums ever. They are represented by the retro smash "When She Was My Girl" and the wedding staple "I Believe In You And Me" (Levi's performance buries Whitney Houston's hit version). Interspersed between these two gems is "I Just Can't Walk Away" a stirring ballad from their shortlived return to Motown in 1983. The Tops also recorded many lesser hits and great album tracks over the years (most of which can be found on their box set FOUREVER). But if you only want the big hits, this 24 track collection is the best single disc set available.

The Classic Four Tops.......2002-11-07

The Four Tops were perharps Motown's finest all-male acts. Their work on the label was consistently excellent and though after their departure from Motown their work lacked the commecial success they'd previously enjoyed, their work was still distinct, made instantly recognisable by Levi Stubb's explosive and dynamic vocal expertise. The Essential Collection offers the majority of their familiar hits though for some odd reason, the chilly, atmospheric classic, 7 Rooms Of Gloom is not included. Their first really major hit came with the infectious, I Can't Help Myself where Stubb's inimitable and persuasive voice is just pure soul. Far more ambitious however was the haunting, Reach Out I'll Be There. Stubb's voice cuts effectivley through the multi layered arrangements of flutes, oboes and tambourines. This compelling number became another U.S chart topper for The Four Tops and became one of the key landmarks in their career. After this the formular continued to bubble consistently with excellent soul classics such as the fabulous, Standing In The Shadows Of Love, the yearning Bernadette, beautifully delivered ballads like Walk Away Renee and It's All In The Game becoming huge sellers on both sides of the Atlantic. The quality in this collection never once dwindles making for consistent and compelling listening. These were one of Motown's major, legendary acts and their work remains unique and unparalled. Highly recommended!

Very Essential.......2001-09-25

it's a shame that the Four Tops haven't gotten more attention because there songs here are true Gems.they have the kind of Skills that Legends are made of."Still Water" is deep as is the Classic "Reach Out(I'll Be There)" that urgency passion&rush make that a Gem.a Must Have.

Average customer rating:

Wheres "Do Whatcha Gotta Do"
motown legends !!
AT LONG LAST
Best ever box set
Best ever box set

Fourever
The Four Tops
Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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On Top/Reach Out

ASIN: B00005O6NA
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Could It Be You (Single Only Release, U.S.)
Ain't That Love (Single Only Release, U.S.)
Pennies From Heaven (Single Only Release, U.S.)
Until I Met You - Alternate Mix (Previously Unreleased)
Baby I Need Your Loving - Single Mix
Where Did You Go - Single Mix
Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worth While) - Single Mix
Left With A Broken Heart - Original Lp Mix
Ask The Lonely - Alternate Stereo Mix
Just A Little Love (Before My Life Is Gone) (Previously Unreleased)
My Heart Is Calling You (Previously Unreleased)
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - Alternate Mix(Previously Unreleased)
It's The Same Old Song - Alternate Berry Gordy Single
Is There Anything That I Can Do - Original Lp Mix
Something About You - Single Mix
No Good Without You (Previously Unreleased)
Just As Long As You Need Me - Single Mix
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - Single Mix
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever - Single Mix
Brenda - Alternate Lawrence Payton Vocal (Previously Unreleased)
For Once In My Life - Single Mix

Tracks:

Reach Out I'll Be There - Single Mix
Standing In The Shadows Of Love - Single Mix
Bernadette - Single Mix
7-Rooms Of Gloom - Alternate Mix(Previously Unreleased)
I'll Turn To Stone (Live At The Roostertail ) - Original
You Keep Running Away - Single Mix
Walk Away Renee - Single Mix
Your Love Is Wonderful - Single Mix (Single Only Release, U.S.)
If I Were A Carpenter - Single Mix
Just Another Lonely Night - With The Temptations (Previously Unreleased)
Oh, I've Been Blessed - 'Levi & The Vandellas' (Previously Unreleased)
Yesterday's Dreams - Single Mix
Can't Seem To Get You Out Of My Mind - Single Mix
I'm In A Different World - Single Mix
What Is A Man - Single Mix
So Far (Previously Unreleased)
Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me - Single Mix
Do What You Gotta Do - Original Lp Mix
Macarthur Park - Original Lp Mix
I'll Pay Double (Previously Unreleased)
Nothing - Original Lp Mix
Barbara's Boy - Original Lp Mix
Stranded On The Road Of Love - With Edwin Starr (Previously Unreleased)

Tracks:

Its All In The Game - Single Mix
Love (Is The Answer) - Single Mix
Still Water (Peace) / Still Water (Love) - Unedited Version (Previously Unreleased)
Ballad To: The One I Love (Previously Unreleased)
River Deep - Mountain High - The Supremes & Four Tops - Original Lp Mix
I'm Glad About It - The Supremes & Four Tops - Original Lp Mix
Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life) - Single Mix
In These Changing Times - Single Version
A Simple Game - Original Unedited Mix (Previously Unreleased)
You Stole My Love - Single Mix (Single Only Release, Previously Unreleased In The U.S.)
So Deep Within You - Single Mix (Single Only Release, Previously Unreleased In The U.S.)
I Can't Quit Your Love - Single Mix
(It's The Way) Nature Planned It - Single Mix
Keeper Of The Castle - Original Lp Mix
Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) - Original Lp Mix
Love Music - Original Lp Mix
Remember What I Told You To Forget - Original Lp Mix
Are You Man Enough - Soundtrack Version
Sweet Understanding Love - Original Lp Mix
I Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind - Original Lp Mix
One Woman Man - Original Lp Mix
Main Street People (Intro) / Main Street People - Original Lp Mix

Tracks:

One Chain Don't Make No Prison - Original Lp Mix
Midnight Flower (Live) - Original Lp Mix
Seven Lonely Nights - Original Lp Mix
We All Gotta Stick Together - Original Lp Mix
Catfish - Original Lp Mix
For Your Love - 12-Inch Version (Single Only Release, Previously Unreleased In The U.S.)
When She Was My Girl - Original Lp Mix
Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over (Live) (Previously Unreleased)
I Believe In You And Me - Original Lp Mix
The Temptations And Four Tops Medley (Live) - Original 12-Inch
I Just Can't Walk Away - Original Lp Mix
Sexy Ways - Single Mix
Hot Nights (Single Only Release, U.S.)
Red Hot Love (Previously Unreleased)
Indestructible - 12-Inch Edit With Smokey Robinson
Loco In Acapulco - Original Lp Mix
If Ever A Love There Was - The Four Tops Featuring Aretha Franklin & Kenny G
Till You Return To Me - Grover Washington, Jr.
The Four Of Us (Single Only Release, Previously Unreleased In The U.S.)

Amazon.com

Those only familiar with the Tops' 1960s Motown heyday may be surprised at just how prolific the foursome remained after leaving the mother ship in 1972. While this four-disc set does include 53 tracks from their peak Motown tenure, it also offers a much more comprehensive look at their entire career, reaching all the way back to a 1956 Chess single and continuing into the 1990s. Of particular note are a number of topflight selections from their years on Dunhill and ABC (1972-1979), when hits such as "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)" and "Keeper of the Castle" as well as a few lesser-known gems successfully updated their trademark sound to include elements of funk and disco while still remaining true to their defining trait: the balance of Levi Stubbs's robust growl and the ethereal harmonies of his mates. Their early-1980s Casablanca period also yielded notable additions to their repertoire, such as the buoyant "When She Was My Girl" and the ballad "I Believe in You and Me," which would become a wedding staple. Still, nothing can compare to their Motown classics, when the songs of the Holland-Dozier-Holland hit machine joined forces with the Tops' appealing style to the delight of a generation. Fans content with the Motown hits are advised to pick up the single-disc Ultimate Collection, but those looking for a deeper investigation will enjoy this thorough survey. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Wheres "Do Whatcha Gotta Do".......2005-07-28

This is a very comprehensive review of Four Tops "cuts' what I simply can't understand is why none of these 'Hit Lists' do not include what I believe to be one their greatest, Jimmy Webbs, Do Whatcha Gotta Do! Other than this terrific song I love the rest of the Boxed set immenesly

motown legends !!.......2004-09-03

the four tops are fourever ,nuff said !! j.h. "hitsville usa" p.s. just play them golden memories !!

AT LONG LAST.......2004-04-16

At last we have a box set for the very gifted and often overlooked TOPS. The Tops were together longer than any other Motown group. Yet they tended to be overshadowed by the other acts from the same stable. This set stands as a testimony to how great they really were. All the hits, plus some rarities, all of them true gems. Their music continues to stand the test of time. I have been a fan from the beginning and, thanks to this collection, can continue to spread their legacy to future generations.

Best ever box set.......2002-06-28

This is a must for all tops fans and truely is magnificant, it brings out the best from these four familiar guys, wonderfully put together and deserves every tops fan, s attention if you want to hear levi and the guys giving there best this does just that , what an exellent compilation.

Best ever box set.......2002-06-28

This is a must for all tops fans and truely is magnificant, it brings out the best from these four familiar guys, wonderfully put together and deserves every tops fan, s attention if you want to levi and the guys giving there best this does just that , what an exellent compilation.

Average customer rating:

The TOP of the line for a true classic troupe!
I don't know what everybody's complaining about:(
Maybe All You Need
An excellent sampling of the Four Tops in their prime.
Great, but------

Four Tops - Greatest Hits
The Four Tops
Manufacturer: Motown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001AE6
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Baby I Need Your Loving
It's The Same Old Song
Reach Out I'll Be There
Ask The Lonely
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worthwhile)
7-Rooms Of Gloom
Something About You
Bernadette
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)

Customer Reviews:

The TOP of the line for a true classic troupe!.......2004-08-27

Though fellow Motown label mates The Supremes and The Temptations seem to occupy a higher status in the collective memories of "boomers", the quartet known as The Four Tops had its share of top-selling classic hits, also. With strong vocals by lead Levi Stubbs, the group soared in the mid-60s, releasing a barrage of songs that climbed both the R & B and pop charts.

If one wants to know others responsible for the legend that was Motown, one needs look no further than this marvelous compilation of the best from The Four Tops.

I don't know what everybody's complaining about:(.......2000-01-03

The Greatest Hits album is a GREAT way to start a Four Tops collecton.If you want an album of their formative years(1964-1967)this is the album for you!Although, confidentially speaking, I prefer mono vinyl to stereo CD.

Maybe All You Need.......1999-07-01

Though this collection spans only about three years, it was the peak of the Tops output. Though later songs from the early to mid 70's are missing, to these ears they weren't as stunning as those collected here. I think Levi Stubbs was best on the melodramatic material presented on this collection-when he gets subtle, it isn't as effective. My personal favorites are "Bernadette," "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Ask The Lonely." (which should have been a bigger hit than it was) "Ask The Lonely" is a masterpiece that to my ears doesn't get the credit it deserves. This is the collection that got them into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.

An excellent sampling of the Four Tops in their prime........1999-06-10

While this album covers only the first three years of the Four Tops' initial eight-year run as Motown stars, it serves a valuable purpose: It provides an aural "snapshot" of the group at the peak of its hit-making powers. The legendary songwriting/production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland (also responsible for the vast bulk of the Supremes' most enduring hits) created 10 of the songs, including the powerful numbers that made the Four Tops' sound perhaps pop/soul music's closest link to grand opera. Propelled by Levi Stubbs' heart-wrenching lead vocals and the Greek chorus-like harmonies of Renaldo Benson, Abdul Fakir and the late Lawrence Payton (occasionally augmented by backup chorale), the group alternately verges on a nervous breakdown ("Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)," "7 Rooms of Gloom"), uplifts the spirit ("Reach Out I'll Be There") and stirs the soul ("Bernadette," one of the all-time-great songs about a man's love for a woman, e.g., "In you I have/what other men long for/All men need someone/to worship and adore/That's why I treasure you/and place you high above/For the only joy in life/is to be loved"). The non-H-D-H songs are also fine, particularly "Just Ask The Lonely," a melancholy reflection on the elusiveness of everlasting love: "Just ask the lonely/and they'll tell you the pain/of losing a love/you will never regain." All is topped off by sing-along classics "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "It's The Same Old Song." While the Tops never achieved the teenybopper popularity of the Temptations and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, they proved on this first collection of greatest hits that they held the Motown monopoly on mature, heartfelt passion.

Great, but------.......1999-03-01

Don't waste your money on this album! For a dollar more, purchase their collection of hits in "The Ultimate Collection" by the Four Tops. The latter has all the songs of this one, plus many more. I discovered this after purchasing this one.

Average customer rating:

Well worth the price.
Two great albums from 1970

Still Waters Run Deep/Changing Times
The Four Tops
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000055XXQ
Release Date: 2001-11-12

Tracks:

Still Water (Love)
Reflections
It's All in the Game
Everybody's Talkin'
Love Is the Answer
I Wish I Were Your Mirror
Elusive Butterfly
Bring Me Together
L.A. (My Town)
Still Water (Peace)
In These Changing Times
Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
Right Before My Eyes
I Almost Had Her (But She Got Away)
Try to Remember
Something's Tearing at the Edges of Time
Sing a Song of Yesterday
Long and Winding Road/In These Changing Times

Album Description

UK reissue combines two out-of-print Motown classics together on one CD, 'Still Waters Run Deep' (1970) & 'Changing Times' (1970). Slipcase.

Customer Reviews:

Well worth the price........2005-07-19

By the time these two albums were released, The Four Tops weren't very high on Motown's priority list. That's really a shame because these albums contained some of their strongest material. Frank Wilson was the appointed producer for both albums and the production is top notch, using many of Motown's highly talented musicians. Some of the recordings truly stand out. Although skimpy in the lyric department, "Still Water (Love)" is a true R&B classic. The Tops rendition of "Reflections" is better and tighter than the Supremes original version, in my opinion. "Love Is The Answer" brings back memories from when I was a child. (I owned a copy of the single.) It's a fun song with some really swinging horns.
I also owned the Changing Times album when I was very young and I played it to death. The track "In These Changing Times" with it's strange collage of street sounds and distorted voices taking up over two minutes before the song actually kicks in, is one of those songs that easily gets stuck in one's head.
Levi Stubbs lead vocal on "I Almost Had Her (But She Got Away)" is heartbreaking and the arrangement is brilliant. "Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)" is a moderately paced gem about a fella whose male ego keeps him from calling his girl first to talk things through. My favourite track on the album has to be "Right Before My Eyes." The vocals and musicianship on this great track are stunning. The rhythm section alone is priceless.
I would have given this cd five stars if it weren't for the fact that I would have preferred more original tunes on the albums. Motown was notorious for putting a lot of remakes on their albums, even having several of their own artists record the same material.
Still, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I highly recommend this cd.

Two great albums from 1970.......2003-05-17

The first of the albums featured in this twofer - Still waters run deep - contains two major international hits. It's all in the game was a hit for various singers in the fifties. Originally a USA hit for Tommy Edwards in 1951, it became a much bigger USA hit for him in 1958, when it also became a massive UK hit. It was also a huge UK hit for Cliff Richard in the sixties, but all that didn't stop the Four tops having a top five UK hit and a top thirty USA hit. Still water (love) just missed the USA top ten but just made the UK top ten. There are some notable covers here, including Elusive butterfly (Bob Lind), Everybody's talking (Harry Nilsson), Reflections (Diana Ross and the Supremes).

The second album - Changing times - yielded Just seven numbers, a minor hit in the UK and the USA, plus another minor USA hit, In these changing times. On the album, this latter song is the second half of a medley with Long and winding road, the Beatles classic. Other covers on this album are Raindrops keep falling on my head and Try to remember.

Tracks:

Why Can't We Live Together - Timmy Thomas
Love Jones - Brighter Side Of Darkness
A Lonely Man - The Chi-Lites
Superfly - Curtis Mayfield
One Night Affair - Jerry Butler
The World Is A Ghetto - War
Stir It Up - Johnny Nash
Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) - Four Tops
Armed And Extremely Dangerous - First Choice
Leaving Me - The Independents
Pillow Talk - Sylvia
I'm Doin' Fine Now - New York City

Customer Reviews:

A Good Way to Remember the Early 1970's! :).......2001-04-30

This is the only one in the series that I own right now, although looking at some of the other CDs in this collection, that may not be the case for much longer. I bought this CD about 7 years ago, mainly for two of my favorite R&B songs of the early-70's period, First Choice's "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" and "I'm Doin' Fine Now" by New York City (where I was born and raised). In fact, I had bought the single of the latter song way back when I was 6 years old, one of my very first music purchases! :)

"Love Jones" and "Superfly" are such classics, although I'm more fond of "Love Jones." War's "The World Is A Ghetto" is so brilliant with the harmonizing vocals, as well as being really catchy and funky. Johnny Nash's "Stir It Up" is catchy reggae-pop, and The Four Tops' "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)" is a classic (Although it could also be called a relic, as Levi Stubbs sings the line "Cause it's my word, my WORD she'll obey.")

The most risque song on this CD is easily "Pillow Talk" by Sylvia (Robinson, of "Mickey & Sylvia" fame from the late 50's) in which she simulates an orgasm at the end of the song. Although she was not the first one to do that in a song (that honor, so to speak, would go to the Chakachas for their extremely randy "Jungle Fever" a year earlier, as the wonderful and informative liner notes point out), this song raised quite a stir in 1972 (in more ways than one!). It still never fails to turn heads, if you know what I mean! ;) After all, it WAS put out during the height of the sexual revolution!

This is a really good CD for those of us who wax nostalgic for some of that great early '70's music every once in a while!

Great installment in a Great series.......1999-07-12

Vol. 10 of the Didn't it Blow Your Mind series is outstanding featuring such classics as "Superfly" and "Ain't No Woman" to more underrated and forgotten gems like "Leaving Me" by the Independents. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Okay not the original tracks

Very Best of the Four Tops
The Four Tops
Manufacturer: Brilliant Nl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005LPWI
Release Date: 2001-06-01

Tracks:

Reach Out I'll Be There
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Walk Away Renee
Bernadette
If I Were A Carpenter
It's The Same Old Song
Seven Rooms Of Gloom
Baby I Need Your Lovin'
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
Ain't No Woman
It's All In The Game
Keeper Of The Castle
Loco In Acupolco
When She Was My Girl
Are You Man Enough
Still Water
Indestructable (Theme From The 1988 Summer Olympics)
Mac Arthur Park

Customer Reviews:

Okay not the original tracks.......2006-10-16

These are not the original recordings. Levi's voice is still strong but you notice the difference.

Average customer rating:

1966: Time-Life Music Classic Rock
The Beach Boys , The Temptations , The Young Rascals , The Standells , Donovan , The Bobby Fuller Four , The Shadows of Knight , The Supremes , The Monkees , and Paul Revere and the Raiders
Manufacturer: Time-Life Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FXUYWQ

Product Description

Song listing: 1. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys 2. (I Know) I'm Losing You - The Temptations 3. Good Lovin' - The Young Rascals 4. Dirty Water - The Standells 5. Sunshine Superman - Donovan 6. Tell It Like It Is - Aaron Neville 7. Summer in the City - The Lovin' Spoonful 8. Standing in the Shadows of Love - The Four Tops 9. I Fought the Law - The Bobby Fuller Four 10. Beauty is Only Skin Deep - The Temptations 11. When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge 12. Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops 13. Gloria - The Shadows of Knight 14. Barbara Ann - The Beach Boys 15. Shapes of Things - The Yardbirds 16. Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind? - The Lovin' Spoonful 17. Monday, Monday - The Mamas and the Papas 18. You Keep Me Hangin' On - The Supremes 19. Wild Thing - The Troggs 20. I'm a Believer - The Monkees 21. Kicks - Paul Revere and the Raiders 22. Psychotic Reaction - The Count Five

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