Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart

"Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" is a 1966 song recorded by the Supremes for the Motown label.

"Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart"
Single by The Supremes
from the album The Supremes A' Go-Go
B-side"He's All I Got"
ReleasedApril 8, 1966
Recorded1965
StudioHitsville U.S.A. (Studio A)
GenreR&B, Pop, Soul
Length2:40
LabelMotown
M 1094
Songwriter(s)Holland–Dozier–Holland
Producer(s)Brian Holland
Lamont Dozier
The Supremes singles chronology
"My World Is Empty Without You"
(1965)		 "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart"
(1966)		 "You Can't Hurry Love"
(1966)
The Supremes A' Go-Go track listing
12 tracks
Side one
  1. "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart"
  2. "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)"
  3. "You Can't Hurry Love"
  4. "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)"
  5. "Baby I Need Your Loving"
  6. "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
Side two
  1. "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)"
  2. "Get Ready"
  3. "Put Yourself in My Place"
  4. "Money (That's What I Want)"
  5. "Come and Get These Memories"
  6. "Hang On Sloopy"
Audio sample
"Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart"
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Alternative cover

Written and produced by Motown's main production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song was recorded in June 1965 and not released until April 1966. It was one of the few singles written by the team for the Supremes that didn't reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in the United States. Nevertheless, the song was a Top 10 hit, peaking at number nine for one week in May 1966.[1] Billboard named the song #90 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.[2]

Overview

One of the group's most powerful singles, this uptempo and brassy dance single was somewhat of a departure from the group's much lighter, pop-oriented sound, with a production set for an uptempo soul sound similar to that of material by fellow Motown groups Martha and the Vandellas and the Four Tops. The lyrics tell of how the narrator has been "bitten by the love bug" and no matter what she does, she can't "scratch it" (the itch created by the bite of the love bug). Lead singer Diana Ross' bandmates Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson accompany Ross, as she sings about her lover's grasp on her heart. The girl group performed the hit live on CBS variety program The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday, May 1, 1966.[3]

Personnel

Charts
Chart (1965-1966) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 100
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 9
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] 7
US Cashbox Top 100[8] 9
US Cashbox R&B[9] 6
US Record World 100 Top Pops[10] 10
US Record World Top 40 R&B[11] 9

Cover versions
  • In 1975, Ralph Carter released his version of the song on his first album When You're Young and In Love.
  • In 1989, The Good Girls from their All For You Love album.
  • American deathrock band Christian Death covered the song on their 1989 album All the Love, with slightly modified lyrics and the title "Love Is Like a (B)Itchin' in My Heart".
  • In 2011, Indie Rock band the Inevitable Backlash released a punk-inspired cover version with an accompanying music video.[12]
  • In their Summer 2009 US tour, Steely Dan covered this song during their band introductions section.
  • There's an in concert version on the Phil Seymour album In Concert released in 2014

References
  1. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 78 (28): 24. 1966. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  2. "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  3. "James Brown, The Supremes, Nancy Ames, London Lee". The Ed Sullivan Show. Season 19. Episode 33. New York City. 1 May 1966. CBS. WCBS.
  4. "Every Unique AMR Top 100 Single of the 1966". Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  5. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5765." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  6. "The Supremes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "The Supremes Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". Cashbox. June 4, 1966. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  9. "The CASH BOX Top 50 In R&B Locations". Cashbox. June 4, 1966. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  10. "100 TOP POPS: Week of June 18, 1966" (PDF). Record World. worldradiohistory.com. June 18, 1966. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  11. "TOP 40 R&B: Week of May 21, 1966" (PDF). Record World. worldradiohistory.com. May 21, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  12. "New Video : The Inevitable Backlash : Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart (Supremes cover)". MyOldKentuckyBlog.com. 2010-04-16. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
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