I Want a Guy
Encyclopedia
"I Want a Guy" is a song written by Berry Gordy
and was the debuting single for Motown girl group The Supremes
in 1961. It was also recorded by The Marvelettes
. Featuring Diana Ross
, going by her given name, Diane Ross, in lead, the song was a doo-wop
ballad similar to what the Supremes had been recording since forming as "The Primettes" two years earlier.
The songs lyrics tell about a lonely woman who wants a new lover who won't mistreat her and always be loyal to her.
When issued, the song failed to chart forcing Berry Gordy to find other options for the teenage quartet - its full lineup included Barbara Martin
alongside Ross, Florence Ballard
and Mary Wilson
. Three members of the group (Ross, Wilson and Ballard), in fact, had already recorded a single, "Tears of Sorrow
"/"Pretty Baby", in their previous quartet, "The Primettes". In between the two singles the teenaged girls would replace Betty McGlown
with Martin, and the new quartet would be recording under a new name (and under a new record deal). This song would be issued as a b-side of a Marvelettes hit ("Twistin' Postman
") later that year and would be led by Wanda Rogers, one of her first with the group. Their version, more up-tempo then the original, also would not chart nationally, but became a regional hit.
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:...
and was the debuting single for Motown girl group The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
in 1961. It was also recorded by 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...
. Featuring Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, going by her given name, Diane Ross, in lead, the song was a doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
ballad similar to what the Supremes had been recording since forming as "The Primettes" two years earlier.
The songs lyrics tell about a lonely woman who wants a new lover who won't mistreat her and always be loyal to her.
- I want a guy to love me
- One who will love me completely
- Not like the last
- Who's in the past
- Who broke my heart and made me cry
When issued, the song failed to chart forcing Berry Gordy to find other options for the teenage quartet - its full lineup included Barbara Martin
Barbara Martin
Barbara Diane Martin in Detroit, Michigan is an African-American singer; better known for being one of the original founding members of Motown singing group The Supremes. After The Primettes dropped Betty McGlown from their lineup due to McGlown's upcoming nuptials, Martin replaced her in the...
alongside Ross, Florence Ballard
Florence Ballard
Florence Glenda Ballard Chapman was an American singer and a founding member of the Motown group The Supremes. From 1963 until 1967, Ballard sang on 16 Top 40 hit Supremes' singles, ten of which hit number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1967, Motown CEO Berry Gordy decided to remove Ballard from...
and Mary Wilson
Mary Wilson (singer)
Mary Wilson is an American singer, formerlymember of the Motown female singing group The Supremes during the 1960s and 1970s. Wilson was the only singer to be a consistent member of the group in its eighteen-year tenure...
. Three members of the group (Ross, Wilson and Ballard), in fact, had already recorded a single, "Tears of Sorrow
Tears of Sorrow
"Tears of Sorrow" is the very first single by The Primettes, later known as The Supremes, released in 1960. This single was their first single from Lu Pine Records, and their last. "Tears of Sorrow," along with "Pretty Baby", are the only known recordings that feature the vocals of Betty McGlown....
"/"Pretty Baby", in their previous quartet, "The Primettes". In between the two singles the teenaged girls would replace Betty McGlown
Betty McGlown
Betty McGlown-Travis is an African American singer, a member of The Primettes, later known as The Supremes.In 1959, McGlown started dating future Temptations member Paul Williams who was then singing with the Primes...
with Martin, and the new quartet would be recording under a new name (and under a new record deal). This song would be issued as a b-side of a Marvelettes hit ("Twistin' Postman
Twistin' Postman
"Twistin' Postman" is a song recorded by Motown singing group The Marvelettes, who released it in 1961, and was the follow-up to their smash debut single, "Please Mr. Postman". Much like that song, it is led by original Marvelette Gladys Horton, and is partially based on the then-current Twist...
") later that year and would be led by Wanda Rogers, one of her first with the group. Their version, more up-tempo then the original, also would not chart nationally, but became a regional hit.
The Supremes version
- Lead vocals by Diane RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
- Background vocals by Florence BallardFlorence BallardFlorence Glenda Ballard Chapman was an American singer and a founding member of the Motown group The Supremes. From 1963 until 1967, Ballard sang on 16 Top 40 hit Supremes' singles, ten of which hit number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1967, Motown CEO Berry Gordy decided to remove Ballard from...
, Mary WilsonMary Wilson (singer)Mary Wilson is an American singer, formerlymember of the Motown female singing group The Supremes during the 1960s and 1970s. Wilson was the only singer to be a consistent member of the group in its eighteen-year tenure...
and Barbara MartinBarbara MartinBarbara Diane Martin in Detroit, Michigan is an African-American singer; better known for being one of the original founding members of Motown singing group The Supremes. After The Primettes dropped Betty McGlown from their lineup due to McGlown's upcoming nuptials, Martin replaced her in the... - Musitron & Ondioline Instrumentation by Raymona Liles GordyRay SingletonRay 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:...
- Other 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...
The Marvelettes version
- Lead vocals by Wanda Young RogersWanda 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...
- Background 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:...
, 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 - Musitron & Ondioline Instrumentation by Raymona Liles Gordy
- Other Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers