Do You Love Me – The Contours | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1) & R&B (#1); 1962
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Inspired by the acrobatic moves and fiery singing of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, the Contours practiced their craft up and down Detroit’s 12th Street, and were ready for the big time.
When an audition failed to impress Motown owner, Berry Gordy, the group’s Hubert Johnson called on his cousin. Cousin Jackie Wilson was impressed and persuaded Gordy – who had written several of Jackie’s hits – to give the boys another listen.
Gordy focussed on his new group, and one day, as the Contours were rehearsing, Berry came in with a song he had earmarked for the Temptations: Do You Love Me.
Billy Gordon’s explosive singing, the driving rhythm track from the Funk Brothers, and a surprise fake ending all added up to a sure-fire hit. Do You Love Me stormed the charts again in 1988 (#11), the result of its featured role in the smash movie Dirty Dancing.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Written by:
- Berry Gordy Jr.
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).