Mary, Scherrie & Susaye
Encyclopedia
Mary, Scherrie & Susaye is the final studio album by The Supremes
, released in 1976 on the Motown label.
The album featured the final line-up for the Supremes, composed of original Supreme Mary Wilson
and latter-day members Scherrie Payne
and Susaye Greene
. All three Supremes take leads on the album. The album was a mixture of disco dance tracks and R&B ballads. Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene mostly took over the dance tracks while Mary Wilson performed the ballads. Released in October 1976, the album was released nine months before the trio disbanded.
The entire album was released for the first time on CD on May 17th 2011 on the three-disc set Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 - 1974–1977: The Final Sessions
.
. While none of the singles were Top 40 chart hits on the respective national charts, "You are My Driving Wheel" and "Let Yourself Go" became top five singles on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
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...
, released in 1976 on the Motown label.
The album featured the final line-up for the Supremes, composed of original Supreme 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...
and latter-day members Scherrie Payne
Scherrie Payne
Scherrie Payne is an American singer. The younger sister of singer/actress Freda Payne, Scherrie Payne was the co-lead singer of The Supremes from 1973 to 1977, after Jean Terrell left the group in the fall of 1973...
and Susaye Greene
Susaye Greene
Susaye Greene , is an African-American singer, best known for being the last official member to join Motown girl group The Supremes, remaining in the group during its final years of existence from 1976 to 1977.-Early life and career:...
. All three Supremes take leads on the album. The album was a mixture of disco dance tracks and R&B ballads. Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene mostly took over the dance tracks while Mary Wilson performed the ballads. Released in October 1976, the album was released nine months before the trio disbanded.
The entire album was released for the first time on CD on May 17th 2011 on the three-disc set Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 - 1974–1977: The Final Sessions
Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 - 1974–1977: The Final Sessions
Let Yourself Go, the follow-up box set to This Is the Story: The '70s Albums, Vol. 1 – 1970–1973: The Jean Terrell Years, comprises The Supremes' albums from 1974 - 1977, featuring original member Mary Wilson, long time member Cindy Birdsong, newest member Scherrie Payne, and final Supreme Susaye...
.
Side one
- "You're My Driving Wheel" (Brian Holland, Harold Beatty, Floyd Stafford, Reginald Brown) - 4:20
- "Sweet Dream Machine" (Harold Beatty, Brian Holland, Edward J. Holland Jr., Marcus MillerMarcus MillerMarcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
) - 5:22 - "Let Yourself Go" (Brian Holland, Edward J. Holland Jr., Harold Beatty) - 4:29
- "Come Into My Life" (Brian Holland, Edward J. Holland Jr., Richard Davis) - 6:14
Side two
- "We Should Be Closer Together" (Janie BradfordJanie BradfordJanie Bradford is an American songwriter, most known for her tenure with Motown. With Berry Gordy, she co-wrote "Money ", originally recorded by Barrett Strong and used by The Beatles on their second album With The Beatles...
, Freddie Gorman, Barbara Gaines, Brian Holland) - 4:59 - "I Don't Want to be Tied Down" (Brian Holland, Richard Davis, Edward J.Holland Jr.) - 4:42
- "You Are the Heart of Me" (M.L. Smith, Edward J.Holland Jr.) - 4:12
- "Love, I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good" (Brian Holland, Richard Davis, Reginald Brown, Floyd Stafford) - 5:51
Personnel
- 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...
: lead and background vocals - Scherrie PayneScherrie PayneScherrie Payne is an American singer. The younger sister of singer/actress Freda Payne, Scherrie Payne was the co-lead singer of The Supremes from 1973 to 1977, after Jean Terrell left the group in the fall of 1973...
: lead and background vocals - Susaye GreeneSusaye GreeneSusaye Greene , is an African-American singer, best known for being the last official member to join Motown girl group The Supremes, remaining in the group during its final years of existence from 1976 to 1977.-Early life and career:...
: lead and background vocals - Brian HollandBrian HollandBrian Holland is an American songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland. That songwriting and production team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound and numerous hit records by artists such as Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes, The Four Tops,...
: producer - Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter and record producer....
: executive producer
Singles history
Three singles were released from the album, although the final single was only released in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. While none of the singles were Top 40 chart hits on the respective national charts, "You are My Driving Wheel" and "Let Yourself Go" became top five singles on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
- "You Are My Driving Wheel" b/w "You're What's Missing in My Life" (b-side taken from High Energy) (Motown 1407, September 30, 1976)
- "Let Yourself Go" b/w "You Are the Heart of Me" (Motown 1415, January 25, 1977)
- "Love I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good" b/w "This Is Why I Believe in You" (Tamla-Motown 1064, March 1977, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
only)
Chart history of singles
| Name | Chart (1976 - 1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "You're My Driving Wheel" | U.S. 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... |
85 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B Singles Chart Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
50 | |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Disco | 5 | |
| "Let Yourself Go" | U.S. Billboard R&B Singles Chart Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
83 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Disco Singles | 5 | |
| "Love I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good" | 5 | |