B-side "Whisper" Length 2:23 | Released May 1959 | |
Recorded February 1959, United Sound Systems, Detroit Genre Doo-wop, rhythm and blues Label Tamla
T 101
United Artists (re-issue)
UA 160 | ||
"Come to Me" is the debut single by American singer Marv Johnson. It is notable as the first ever single to be released by what would eventually become known as Motown, on the newly formed Tamla Records label. It also became Johnson's first hit single after the song was nationally distributed by United Artists. It was recorded at United Sound Systems.
Contents
Background
In 1958, Marv Johnson was singing with a local group the Serenaders in Detroit. It was while performing at a carnival in Michigan that Johnson was noted by rising record label impresario Berry Gordy, who was looking to sign acts into his fledgling company, Tamla Records, which he named after the Debbie Reynolds hit, "Tammy". Originally the label was Tammy Records, until a label of the same name took notice, forcing Gordy to alter the name. After discovering Johnson, he convinced him to sign with Tamla and in February 1959, the 20-year-old Johnson co-wrote and recorded the song, "Come to Me". Gordy assembled several musicians, including bassist James Jamerson and drummer Benny Benjamin, and background vocalists the Rayber Voices, to contribute to the song with Johnson.
Charts
"Come to Me" was first distributed by Tamla in May 1959 and was a local hit in the Midwest. Since Tamla was still a local company and was unable to get national distribution to the record, Gordy sold rights of the song to United Artists who agreed to distribute the song nationally. The plan worked as the song began to be a national hit at the end of 1959. By early 1960, the song had reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the national R&B chart. Johnson would record in Motown's studios while recording for United Artists. Johnson returned to Motown in the late 1960s after his success peaked in the mid-1960s. In 1990, Johnson re-recorded the song for an album he recorded for Motorcity Records.