Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart

"Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" is a 1966 song recorded by the Supremes for the Motown label.

"Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart"
Single by The Supremes
from the album The Supremes A' Go-Go
B-side	"He's All I Got"
Released	April 8, 1966
Recorded	1965
Studio	Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A)
Genre	R&B, pop, soul
Length	2:53
Label	Motown M 1094
Songwriter(s)	Holland–Dozier–Holland
Producer(s)	Brian Holland Lamont Dozier
The Supremes singles chronology
"My World Is Empty Without You" (1965) "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" (1966) "You Can't Hurry Love" (1966)
The Supremes A' Go-Go track listing
12 tracks Side one "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" "You Can't Hurry Love" "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" "Baby I Need Your Loving" "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" Side two "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" "Get Ready" "Put Yourself in My Place" "Money (That's What I Want)" "Come and Get These Memories" "Hang On Sloopy"
Audio sample
"Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" file help
Alternative cover

Written and produced by Motown's main production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song was recorded in June 1965 and not released until April 1966. It was one of the few singles written by the team for the Supremes that didn't reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in the United States. Nevertheless, the song was a Top 10 hit, peaking at number nine for one week in May 1966.^[1] Billboard named the song #90 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.^[2]

Overview

One of the group's most powerful singles, this uptempo and brassy dance single was somewhat of a departure from the group's much lighter, pop-oriented sound, with a production set for an uptempo soul sound similar to that of material by fellow Motown groups Martha and the Vandellas and the Four Tops. The lyrics tell of how the narrator has been "bitten by the love bug" and no matter what she does, she can't "scratch it" (the itch created by the bite of the love bug). Lead singer Diana Ross' bandmates Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson accompany Ross, as she sings about her lover's grasp on her heart. The girl group performed the hit live on CBS variety program The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday, May 1, 1966.^[3]

Reception

Billboard said of the song "more exciting sounds from the girls in this slow rhythm rocker with solid back beat."^[4] Cash Box described the song as a "throbbing, rhythmic, pop-blues romancer all about a real lucky gal who has finally found the guy that she’s always dreamed about."^[5] Record World called it "the new pearl in the string of Supreme hits" and said that it "has all their beloved tricks."^[6]

Personnel

• Lead vocals by Diana Ross
• Background vocals by Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson
• Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
  • Baritone saxophone by Andrew "Mike" Terry

Charts

Chart (1966)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[7]	100
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[8]	3
UK R&B (Record Mirror)^[9]	11
US Billboard Hot 100^[10]	9
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[11]	7
US Cashbox Top 100^[12]	9
US Cashbox R&B^[13]	6
US Record World 100 Top Pops^[14]	10
US Record World Top 40 R&B^[15]	9

References

1. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Vol. 78, no. 28. Nielsen Company. 1966. p. 24. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
2. "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
3. "James Brown, The Supremes, Nancy Ames, London Lee". The Ed Sullivan Show. Season 19. Episode 33. New York City. 1 May 1966. CBS. WCBS.
4. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. April 23, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
5. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 23, 1966. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
6. "Single Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. April 23, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
7. "Every Unique AMR Top 100 Single of the 1966". Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5765." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
9. "BRITAIN'S TOP R&B SINGLES" (PDF). Record Mirror. May 28, 1966. p. 11. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via worldradiohistory.com.
10. "The Supremes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
11. "The Supremes Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
12. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". Cashbox. June 4, 1966. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
13. "The CASH BOX Top 50 In R&B Locations". Cashbox. June 4, 1966. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
14. "100 TOP POPS: Week of June 18, 1966" (PDF). Record World. worldradiohistory.com. June 18, 1966. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
15. "TOP 40 R&B: Week of May 21, 1966" (PDF). Record World. worldradiohistory.com. May 21, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved 29 January 2021.

External links

• YouTube Video-"Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart" (Extended Version) - by The Supremes