Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.
As an unofficial record, it is believed that The Four Tops were the band to continue performing the longest without a lineup change. Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton sang together as the Four Tops from 1954 until 1997, when Lawrence Payton died of cancer. That's an astonishing 43 years without a lineup change. The three surviving members continued to tour as "The Tops."
How Can I
The Four Tops Lyrics
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Do do do do wah
The love was standing on is shakey ground
There ain't no way on earth to hold you down
And every road I take to you instead oh losing
I gonna find a boat to row away
Where there's no windows ain't no doors
To let your love in ooh I, I
I can't quit your love
No matter how hard I try to
I can't quit your love, no I can't
I keep running back to you
Can't quit your love
You snap your fingers and I feel on fire
Like silly spinning wheels of desire
You have to be a bird with wings to get me higher
The minor things for me has lose control
The weakness of my judgement rules my soul
You know you got each claim in me after the wire
I can't quit your love
No matter how hard I try to
I try, I try (I can't quit your love)
I keep running back to you
You know that I can't quit your love
Can't quit your love
Can't quit your love
Can't quit your love
Can't quit your love
Can't quit your love
Do do do do wah ohhh
I can't quit your love
No matter how hard I try to (no matter how hard I try to)
I can't quit your love, (no matter how hard I try to)
I keep running back to you
I can't quit your love
No matter how hard I try to
I can't quit your love
I keep running back to you
I can't quit your love
No matter how hard I try to
I can't quit your love
I keep running back to you
I can't quit your love
The Four Tops’ “I Can’t Quit Your Love” is a love song about the complex emotions that come with being in love. The song communicates a sense of desperation and longing that echoes throughout the lyrics. The song is about a love that the singer cannot let go of, no matter how much he tries. The love is depicted as shaking the ground beneath him and having complete control over him. Even when the singer tries to escape, he finds himself running back to the love once again. The singer feels so drawn to his love that he cannot control himself, even his judgment is ruled by his love. This love is so powerful that it makes him feel like a silly spinning wheel of desire, however, he still can't resist the pull of the love he has for this person.
The repeated “do do do do wah” at the beginning of each verse serves as an introduction to the main melody and adds to the romantic and catchy tone of the song. The lyrics also use vivid imagery, such as “I gonna find a boat to row away”, which emphasizes the singer's desperation to leave and escape the love he has for this person. Overall, the song is a captivating representation of the power that love can hold over a person.
Line by Line Meaning
The love was standing on is shakey ground
The foundation of our relationship is unstable and unsure
There ain't no way on earth to hold you down
There is no conceivable way to make you stay with me
And every road I take to you instead oh losing
Every attempt to reach you only leads to my defeat
I gonna find a boat to row away
I will seek an escape from this painful situation
Where I won't be reaching for you night and day
I want to be in a place where I won't constantly long for you
Where there's no windows ain't no doors
I need a place where your love cannot enter through any means
To let your love in ooh I, I
I have to protect myself from your irresistible love
You snap your fingers and I feel on fire
Your slightest gesture makes me burn with desire
Like silly spinning wheels of desire
My passion for you is like a dizzying, uncontrollable force
You have to be a bird with wings to get me higher
Only your love can elevate me to the highest heights
The minor things for me has lose control
Even the smallest things about you make me lose all rationality
The weakness of my judgement rules my soul
My foolishness in love controls me completely
You know you got each claim in me after the wire
You have a hold on me that cannot be broken
I can't quit your love
No matter how hard I try, I cannot resist your love
I keep running back to you
I am constantly drawn back to you despite my efforts
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATHY WAKEFIELD, LEONARD CASTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Dreilinger
I am a 75 yr old white man and grew up during the civil rights awakening. This music transcended all races and helped people to understand how alike we all are.
Nika Cleveland
Thanks much sweet person n
Toni Sumblin
Helped SOME people transcend race.
ms G
I agree ☝🏽
Don Jones
Dd u are so right
Gertrude Buck
THIS WAS TRULY ENTERTAINMENT CHARACTER AND TRUE SINGING AND MEANING!! I LOVE THIS!
David Pears
Never could be repeated, what a fantastic show of superstars.78 years old male with tears of joy. We were so privileged. Thank you all.
Vickie Byrd
Yasss ! Amazing Talent ! Love Tha Motown Artist aka R & B Groups. Classic Rock N Roll like The Temps, Manhattans, Four Tops, etc., 🎶🎤💃🕺🎵🎧🌟💫💕🥰
Theresa Titus-Lawson
I agree David, we were indeed privileged! From 50's Doo-wop to the 60's, 70's and 80's! What a musical ride! This reminded me of the musical shows we use to see at The Brooklyn Fox and The Apollo Theater, one group after another!❤
Kerry Tackett
All very awesome!