I Want a Guy
| "I Want a Guy" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Never Again" |
"I Want a Guy" is a song written by Freddie Gorman, Berry Gordy and Brian Holland and was the debuting single for Motown girl group The Supremes in 1961.[1] 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.
- 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 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.[1] Their version, more up-tempo then the original, also would not chart nationally, but became a regional hit.
The Marvelettes version is a prototype for The Beatles' "There's a Place" on their 1963 album, Please Please Me.
Personnel
The Supremes version
- Lead vocals by Diane Ross
- Background vocals by Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Barbara Martin
- Musitron & Ondioline Instrumentation by Raymona Liles Gordy
- Other Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
The Marvelettes version
- Lead vocals by Wanda Young Rogers
- Background vocals by Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Tillman, Wyanetta "Juanita" Cowart, and Katherine Anderson
- Musitron & Ondioline Instrumentation by Raymona Liles Gordy
- Other Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
