About the song
The Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”. Now that’s a song that brings back memories. Released in 1965, it wasn’t just a hit, it was a cornerstone of the Motown sound.
The Four Tops themselves were veterans by the time this song came around. Levi Stubbs, the group’s powerful lead vocalist, had been recording with other groups since the early 1950s. But when they signed with Motown in 1963, under the tutelage of the legendary songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, their sound truly blossomed.
“I Can’t Help Myself” perfectly captures the essence of what Motown was all about. It’s a soul song, brimming with energy and passion. The driving beat, courtesy of the legendary Funk Brothers session band, gets your feet tapping right away. But it’s the vocals that truly elevate the track. Levi Stubbs delivers a phenomenal performance, his voice a potent blend of smooth pleading and soulful urgency. Listen closely, and you can hear the desperation in his voice as he sings about being powerless against the charms of his “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch.”
Of course, the brilliance doesn’t stop at the vocals. The lyrics, penned by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland, are pure Motown gold. They’re simple, catchy, and perfectly capture the head-over-heels feeling of new love. Lines like “I can’t help myself, I love you and I feel like shouting it out loud” became an anthem for young couples everywhere.
But “I Can’t Help Myself” wasn’t just a love song for teenagers. It was a song that resonated across generations. The powerful vocals, the infectious beat, and the timeless themes of love and desire all contributed to its enduring popularity. The song became a number one hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts, solidifying The Four Tops’ place as Motown royalty.
The song’s influence transcended the charts as well. It’s been covered by countless artists, from The Jackson 5 to Marvin Gaye. It’s been featured in countless movies and TV shows, a testament to its enduring cultural relevance.
So, the next time you hear “I Can’t Help Myself”, take a moment to appreciate its place in musical history. It’s not just a song, it’s a window into a golden age of American music, a time when catchy melodies and soulful vocals could capture the hearts of a nation.
Video
Lyrics
“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”
Sugar pie, honey bunch
You know that I love you
I can’t help myself
I love you and nobody else
In and out my life (In and out my life)
You come and you go (You come and you go)
Leaving just your picture behind
And I’ve kissed it a thousand times
When you snap your finger or wink your eye
I come a-running to you
I’m tied to your apron strings (Can’t help myself)
And there’s nothing that I can do, ooh
Can’t help myself (Ooh)
No, I can’t help myself (Ooh)
‘Cause, sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
I’m weaker than a man should be
I can’t help myself
I’m a fool in love, you see
Wanna tell you I don’t love you
Tell you that we’re through
And I’ve tried
But every time I see your face (I can’t help myself)
I get all choked up inside
When I call your name
Girl, it starts the flame
(Burning in my heart, tearing it all apart)
No matter how I try, my love I cannot hide
‘Cause sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I’m weak for you (Weak for you)
Can’t help myself
I love you and nobody else (Ooh)
Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
Do anything you ask me to (Ask me to)
Can’t help myself
I want you and nobody else (Ooh)
Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I love you (Love you)
I can’t help myself
No, I can’t help myself (Ooh)
Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I love you