Someday We'll Be Together (1969)

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Diana Ross and the Supremes, formed in 1959 in Detroit, Michigan by Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. Not only were they Motown's most successful girl group, they were the most successful African-American group of the 1960s, recording 12 American number-one hits between 1964 and 1969.

"Someday We'll Be Together" was originally released on the Tri-Phi label in 1961 by Johnny Bristol and Jackey Beavers, as Johnny and Jackey. It was somewhat successful in the Midwest, but did not draw much attention elsewhere. Later in the 1960s, Tri-Phi was purchased by Motown Records, and "Someday We'll Be Together" became part of Motown's publishing catalog.

In 1969, Bristol produced an recorded the instrumental and backing vocal track for a version of "Someday We'll Be Together" to be recorded by Junior Walker and the All-Stars, famous for "Shotgun" and "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)".

When Berry Gordy heard it, he thought that "Someday We'll Be Together" would be perfect as Diana Ross's first solo single, as she would soon be leaving the Supremes.

Initially Diana was unable to get a vocal take to Bristol's liking, so he decided to coach her by singing along with Ross. On the first take, Bristol's vocal were accidentally recorded, but Bristol and arranger Wade Marcus liked the results, and so Johnny's voice is heard on the final take.

In the end, the song was credited to "Diana Ross and the Supremes," even though Diana Ross is the only Supreme on the record.

Chart position:
#1 (US), #13 (UK).

It was the last #1 hit by the Supremes, as well as the last #1 hit of the 1960s decade.

It was #1 for 1 week in the US in December 1969. It was preceded at #1 by "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (Peter, Paul and Mary) and succeeded by "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (B. J. Thomas).

Written by: Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers, and Harvey Fuqua.

My two cents: Just one word: wow. A few things I've always like about this song are just little things, but they certainly add to what makes it not only one of the great oldies songs, but what makes it one of my favorites.

The opening cellos are incredible. It sets the tone perfectly for the song, and catches your ear immediately. Perhaps you've heard them elsewhere sampled by other artists, such as on Janet Jackson's 1993 hit "If".

Also, the use of the diminished 7th chord just before the chorus is hair-raisingly good. What I mean by that is that it adds the right amount of tension and build in anticipation of the chorus and its hopeful message: "Just remember, someday, we'll be together!"

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