Beechwood 4-5789
Encyclopedia
"Beechwood 4-5789" is a 1962 single released by Motown girl group
The Marvelettes
on the Tamla record label.
, William "Mickey" Stevenson and George Gordy, the lyrics are about the narrator wanting a man she just met to call her number in order to "have a date, any ol' time." Like all the Marvelette's singles during the first phase of the group's career, the lead vocal was by Gladys Horton
. The song's co-writer Marvin Gaye played drums on the track, which William Stevenson produced.
The song's title is derived from the now defunct use of telephone exchange names
in telephone numbers. In this case, the significant portions of the exchange name were the first two letters of "Beechwood" (BE), and the remainder of the number. In conventional modern use, this telephone number would be 234-5789.
"Beechwood 4-5789" has become a signature hit of Motown's early period but was not one of the label's biggest hits, reaching #17 on the Billboard Hot 100
in the autumn of 1962. The track did reach the R&B Top Ten where in fact the single enjoyed double A-side status with "Beechwood 4-5789" reaching #7 and the flip "Someday, Someway" #8; the latter track was a ballad from the writing-&-production team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier
and Fred Gorman and featured Berry Gordy Jr
's wife Raynoma Liles
as organist.
whose 1975 remake of the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman
" had reached #1.
Although Richard Carpenter
typically exercised control over the Carpenters' song choice, the idea to remake "Beechwood 4-5789" was evidently Karen Carpenter
's. Mike Curb
recalls Karen Carpenter playing him the original over the phone after telling him: "I've gotta play a song for you! You'll get a kick out of it! It is really fun! It'll bring back memories." When the record ended Karen Carpenter asked Curb; "So, what do you think of this as a single?" Although Curb saw no hit potential in a remake of "Beechwood 4-5789" he responded positively to Karen Carpenter's question, not having the heart to dampen her enthusiasm.
In fact "Beechwood 4-5789" would be issued as the fourth single off Made in America1 on 2 March 1982, Karen Carpenter's thirty-second birthday. The track debuted on the A/C chart in Billboard
dated 27 March 1982 and entered the Billboard Hot 100
dated 24 April 1982 at #83 becoming the twenty-seventh single by the Carpenters to reach the Hot 100, all the group's singles since their major label debut in 1969 having appeared on the chart.
A 1960s' nostalgia
-themed video for the Carpenters' "Beechwood 4-5789" was shot on A&M's Chaplin Stage
. The video's setting was divided between a soda shop
and a young woman's bedroom with a pink Princess telephone
prominently displayed.
The last single release by the Carpenters prior to Karen Carpenter's 4 February 1983 death, "Beechwood 4-5789" did not become a major hit rising no higher than #74 on the Hot 100; the track's A/C chart peak was #18.
"Beechwood 4-5789" did reach #10 in New Zealand in March 1982 - the single having been released there that February prior to its US issue - making the track the last evident Top Ten hit by the Carpenters on a major national chart.
Harpers Bizarre
remade "Beechwood 4-5789" for their 1976 album As Time Goes By.
The 1996 album Skoolin' with the Skalars by St. Louis ska band Isaac Green and the Skalars also included a cover as the second track.
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
The Marvelettes
The Marvelettes
The Marvelettes were an American singing girl group on the Tamla label. Motown's first successful female vocal group, the Marvelettes are most notable for recording the company's first #1 Pop hit, "Please Mr...
on the Tamla record label.
Original version
Written by Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, William "Mickey" Stevenson and George Gordy, the lyrics are about the narrator wanting a man she just met to call her number in order to "have a date, any ol' time." Like all the Marvelette's singles during the first phase of the group's career, the lead vocal was by Gladys Horton
Gladys Horton
Gladys Catherine Horton was an American R&B and pop singer, famous for being the founder and lead singer of the popular Motown all-female vocal group The Marvelettes.-Biography:...
. The song's co-writer Marvin Gaye played drums on the track, which William Stevenson produced.
The song's title is derived from the now defunct use of telephone exchange names
Telephone exchange names
During the early years of telephone service, communities that required more than 10,000 telephone numbers, whether dial service was available or not, utilized exchange names to distinguish identical numerics for different customers....
in telephone numbers. In this case, the significant portions of the exchange name were the first two letters of "Beechwood" (BE), and the remainder of the number. In conventional modern use, this telephone number would be 234-5789.
"Beechwood 4-5789" has become a signature hit of Motown's early period but was not one of the label's biggest hits, reaching #17 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the autumn of 1962. The track did reach the R&B Top Ten where in fact the single enjoyed double A-side status with "Beechwood 4-5789" reaching #7 and the flip "Someday, Someway" #8; the latter track was a ballad from the writing-&-production team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier
Lamont Dozier
Lamont Herbert Dozier is an American songwriter and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.-Career:...
and Fred Gorman and featured Berry Gordy Jr
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
's wife Raynoma Liles
Ray Singleton
Ray Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
as organist.
The Carpenters' version
A remake of "Beechwood 4-5789" was featured on Made in America, a 1981 album by the CarpentersThe Carpenters
Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. Though often referred to by the public as "The Carpenters", the duo's official name on authorized recordings and...
whose 1975 remake of the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman
Please Mr. Postman
"Please Mr. Postman" is the debut single by The Marvelettes for the Tamla label, notable as the first Motown song to reach the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. The single achieved this position in late 1961; it hit number one on the R&B chart as well. "Please Mr...
" had reached #1.
Although Richard Carpenter
Richard Carpenter (musician)
Richard Lynn Carpenter is an American pop musician, best known as one half of the brother/sister duo The Carpenters, along with his sister Karen Carpenter. He was a producer, arranger, pianist and keyboardist, and occasional lyricist, as well as joining with Karen on harmony...
typically exercised control over the Carpenters' song choice, the idea to remake "Beechwood 4-5789" was evidently Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter
Karen Anne Carpenter was an American singer and drummer. She and her brother, Richard, formed the 1970s duo The Carpenters. She was a drummer of exceptional skill, but she is best remembered for her vocal performances of idealistic romantic ballads of true love...
's. Mike Curb
Mike Curb
Michael Curb is an American musician, record company executive, NASCAR and IRL race car owner. A Republican, he served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1979-1983 under Democratic Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr...
recalls Karen Carpenter playing him the original over the phone after telling him: "I've gotta play a song for you! You'll get a kick out of it! It is really fun! It'll bring back memories." When the record ended Karen Carpenter asked Curb; "So, what do you think of this as a single?" Although Curb saw no hit potential in a remake of "Beechwood 4-5789" he responded positively to Karen Carpenter's question, not having the heart to dampen her enthusiasm.
In fact "Beechwood 4-5789" would be issued as the fourth single off Made in America1 on 2 March 1982, Karen Carpenter's thirty-second birthday. The track debuted on the A/C chart in Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
dated 27 March 1982 and entered the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
dated 24 April 1982 at #83 becoming the twenty-seventh single by the Carpenters to reach the Hot 100, all the group's singles since their major label debut in 1969 having appeared on the chart.
A 1960s' nostalgia
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
-themed video for the Carpenters' "Beechwood 4-5789" was shot on A&M's Chaplin Stage
Charlie Chaplin Studios
Charlie Chaplin Studios is a motion picture studio built in 1917 by silent film star Charlie Chaplin just south of the southeast corner of La Brea and Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California....
. The video's setting was divided between a soda shop
Soda shop
A Soda shop, also often known as a Malt shop, is a business akin to an ice cream parlor and a drugstore soda fountain. Interiors were often furnished with a large mirror behind a marble counter with gooseneck spouts, plus spinning stools, round marble-topped tables and wireframe sweetheart...
and a young woman's bedroom with a pink Princess telephone
Princess telephone
The Princess Phone was introduced by the Bell System in 1959. It was a compact telephone designed for convenient use in the bedroom, and contained a light-up dial for use as a night-light. It was commonly known with the slogan "It's little...It's lovely...It lights", which was suggested Robert Karl...
prominently displayed.
The last single release by the Carpenters prior to Karen Carpenter's 4 February 1983 death, "Beechwood 4-5789" did not become a major hit rising no higher than #74 on the Hot 100; the track's A/C chart peak was #18.
"Beechwood 4-5789" did reach #10 in New Zealand in March 1982 - the single having been released there that February prior to its US issue - making the track the last evident Top Ten hit by the Carpenters on a major national chart.
- 1Made in America also included the track "I Believe YouI Believe You"I Believe You" is a love ballad composed by Don and Dick Addrisi which was 1977 single for Dorothy Moore; taken from the Dorothy Moore album, "I Believe You" reached #5 R&B and crossed over to the Pop Top 30 at #27. The track also reached #20 UK....
" which had been a 1978 single release.
Other versions
A cover of "Beechwood 4-5789" served as the debut single for [ Ian and the Zodiacs] in September 1963.Harpers Bizarre
Harpers Bizarre
Harpers Bizarre was an American pop-rock band of the 1960s, best known for their Broadway/Sunshine Pop sound and their remake of Simon & Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song ."- Career :...
remade "Beechwood 4-5789" for their 1976 album As Time Goes By.
The 1996 album Skoolin' with the Skalars by St. Louis ska band Isaac Green and the Skalars also included a cover as the second track.
The Marvelettes version
- Lead vocals by Gladys HortonGladys HortonGladys Catherine Horton was an American R&B and pop singer, famous for being the founder and lead singer of the popular Motown all-female vocal group The Marvelettes.-Biography:...
- Background vocals by Wanda YoungWanda YoungWanda Young is an American singer, famous for being the member and later lead singer of the popular Motown all-female singing group The Marvelettes.-Biography:Wanda was born in 1943 and raised in the western Detroit suburb of Inkster, Michigan...
, Georgeanna TillmanGeorgeanna TillmanGeorgeanna Marie Tillman Gordon was an American R&B/Pop singer and an original member of the Motown girl group The Marvelettes....
, Wyanetta ("Juanita") Cowart, and Katherine Anderson - Instrumentation by The Funk BrothersThe Funk BrothersThe Funk Brothers was the nickname of Detroit, Michigan, session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown Records recordings from 1959 until the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972...
Trivia
- In 1966, Wilson PickettWilson PickettWilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
recorded the song 634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)"634-5789" a.k.a. "6345-789" a.k.a. "634-5789 " is the title of a classic soul track written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper. The song was first recorded by soul legend Wilson Pickett on his 1966 Atlantic Records album The Exciting Wilson Pickett and the single reached #1 on the "Black Singles"...
written by Eddie FloydEddie FloydEddie Lee Floyd is an American soul/R&B singer and songwriter, best known for his work on the Stax record label in the 1960s and 1970s and the song "Knock on Wood".-Biography:...
and Steve CropperSteve CropperSteve Cropper , also known as Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T...
. 'Beechwood' as dialed on a telephone would equal BE, or 23, making the number 234-5789..only one number difference from the Pickett song. Other than numbers, though, the songs have no similarities, musically or lyrically.
- The number is currently assigned to a restaurant in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.