Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Ask the Lonely

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B-side
  
"Where Did You Go"

Format
  
7" single

Label
  
Motown

Released
  
1964

Genre
  
Soul, pop

Recorded
  
Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A); 1964

"Ask the Lonely" is a soul/pop ballad recorded by Motown singing group the Four Tops. Released as the group's third single, the single became the group's second successful single ever since signing to Motown in 1963. Released in 1965, the song rose to number 24 pop and number 9 R&B. It's notable for it being co-written by longtime Motown staffer Mickey Stevenson as most of the group's hits on Motown were written and produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland. It's also notable for lead singer Levi Stubbs' emotional lead and The Andantes helping the other Tops (Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Lawrence Payton and Abdul "Duke" Fakir) in the background.

Personnel

  • Lead vocal by Levi Stubbs
  • Background vocals by the Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Lawrence Payton, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, and The Andantes: Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps
  • Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  • References

    Ask the Lonely Wikipedia