Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations marks the first on-record appearance of new Temptations lead singer Dennis Edwards, who was brought in as David Ruffin's replacement in July 1968.
All of the tracks on the album are covers of songs for other artists. Both "I Second That Emotion" and "I'll Try Something New" were originally recorded by Motown's Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, while "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" was an outside hit for Dee Dee Warwick before it became a hit for the Supremes and Temptations. Motown's Marvin Gaye had previously had hits with "Try It Baby" and, as a duet with Tammi Terrell, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". "This Guy's in Love with You" was a hit for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass , while "Funky Broadway" had been recorded as a hit for Wilson Pickett. The Sweet Inspirations' signature song, "Sweet Inspirations", is also covered here, as is Stevie Wonder's "A Place in the Sun", The Four Tops' "Then", and the show tune "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha.
Frank Wilson served as executive producer of the project. Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, joint-recorded at both the main Hitsville USA studio in Detroit, Michigan, the Golden World studio in Detroit, and satellite studios in Los Angeles, primarily features leads by Diana Ross of the Supremes and Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations, with additional leads by Temptations Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin.
The Weight
Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place
Where I can lay my head
"Hey, mister, can you tell me, where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand
And "No" was all he said
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and)
(You put the load right on me)
I picked up my bag
I went looking for a place to hide
I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side
I said "Hey Carmen, come on, let's go downtown?"
And she said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around"
And take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And, weight, right on me
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't ya stay and keep Anna Lee company?"
And take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And you put the load, yeah
(You put the load right on me)
Catch me a Cannonball, now, to take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, I know she's the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free, I say
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
Put the load right on me
Take a load, take a load, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
Put the weight on me
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
The Weight is a song that tells a story of a weary traveler, who is looking for a place to rest. The song starts with the traveler pulling in to Nazareth, feeling half past dead, and just needing somewhere to lay his head. He asks a man if he can tell him where to find a bed, but the man just grins and shakes his hand, saying "no" was all he said. The song then goes on to describe the traveler's encounters with Carmen and the Devil, and Luke and Anna Lee, before he finally catches a Cannonball to take him down the line. Throughout the song, there is a recurring phrase "take a load off Fanny, take a load for free," which refers to the idea of sharing burdens and helping each other out.
The song is a collaboration between Diana Ross and the Supremes and The Temptations, two of the most successful and popular soul groups of the 1960s. The song was originally written and recorded by The Band in 1968, and it became a hit for both them and for Diana Ross and the Supremes with The Temptations. The collaboration between the two groups was part of a successful run of joint projects in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Line by Line Meaning
I pulled in to Nazareth
I arrived in Nazareth
Was feeling 'bout half past dead
I was feeling tired and worn out
I just need some place
I needed a place to rest
Where I can lay my head
Where I can sleep and find some peace
"Hey, mister, can you tell me, where a man might find a bed?"
"Excuse me sir, could you tell me where I can find a place to sleep?"
He just grinned and shook my hand
He smiled and greeted me with a handshake
And "No" was all he said
He replied with a simple negative answer
Take a load off Fanny
Don't worry or stress, let Fanny take care of it
Take a load for free
Let Fanny handle it without any payment or compensation
And (and)
Additionally
(You put the load right on me)
But the weight and responsibility ultimately fall on me
I picked up my bag
I gathered my belongings
I went looking for a place to hide
I searched for somewhere to take refuge or escape
I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side
I saw a woman named Carmen walking with someone devilish or evil
I said "Hey Carmen, come on, let's go downtown?"
"Hey Carmen, want to come with me to town?"
And she said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around"
She declined my invitation but suggested her friend stay
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
There is no use in trying to argue or persuade Miss Moses
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day
This is just Luke, and he is waiting for the final judgment day
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
"Luke, what can you tell me about Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't ya stay and keep Anna Lee company?"
"Can you please stay and keep Anna Lee company for me, son?"
Catch me a Cannonball, now, to take me down the line
Help me catch a train to take me further down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time
My bag is getting heavy and I think it's time to move on
To get back to Miss Fanny, I know she's the only one
To return to Miss Fanny, who is the only one I can rely on
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
Who sent me here with her best wishes for everyone
Put the load right on me
I'll take on the weight and responsibility
Take a load, take a load, take a load for free
You can count on me to take on the burden without compensation
Take a load off Fanny
Don't stress or worry, let Fanny take care of it for you
Put the weight on me
Let me bear the responsibility and consequences
Take a load off Fanny
Relax and let Fanny handle it
Take a load for free
Take the help without owing anything in return
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ramoncitoelbueno9631
I cannot believe how this great this tune was so neglected in its time, but how perfectly you captured the moment years later in your video. Thank you...I had saved your rendition for a couple years and glad i found it again today. Keep up the good work!
@cntrlscrutinizer5374
Two Great groups singing a great song!
@nathanscott5296
Love the original from The Band, but have much love for this Motown version!
@theSUPREMEscene
thanks so much for your kind comments! i am so glad you enjoyed it!
@ramoncitoelbueno9631
Sorry, but i needed another dose of your magic. Thanks again theSUPREMEscene! Wish my lap-top had a dance floor!
@theSUPREMEscene
it's always nice to have return visits...
@NOV123
I believe Aretha’s version was released first
@manuelcampuzano558
I like how they did "Funky Broadway" I never cared for this song no matter who sang it
@bryantparker7390
Not even the band version?
@manuelcampuzano558
Diana's way too high, she sounds better when she sings lower like on the early year and the TCB, and the Rodgers and Hart show.