- Can I Get a Witness
Infobox Single
Name = Can I Get a Witness?
Artist =Marvin Gaye
from Album = Greatest Hits
B-side = "I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby"
Released = September 1963
Format = LP
Recorded =Hitsville USA , July 17, 1963
Genre = Soul
Length = 2:53
Label = Tamla
Writer =Holland-Dozier-Holland
Producer =Brian Holland ,Lamont Dozier
Last single = "Pride and Joy"
(1963)
This single = "Can I Get a Witness?"
(1963)
Next single = "You Are a Wonderful One "
(1964)"Can I Get a Witness?" was a 1963 hit song by
Marvin Gaye on the Tamla (Motown) label. Written and produced by Motown songwriting and producing teamHolland-Dozier-Holland , the song was built among gospel settings and heralded Gaye's beginnings in the church even if the message was about "love gone bad". The song featured Gaye on piano, playing aboogie pattern, theFunk Brothers in demand, and members of theFour Tops and theSupremes in the background accompanying Gaye. The song became such a big hit in both US and UK shores that British musicians likeDusty Springfield ,The Rolling Stones , andSteampacket (which featured a very youngRod Stewart ) recorded cover versions of the song. Gaye's version peaked at #22 on theHot 100 (although the R&B singles chart had a hiatus around this time, it's been reported that the song hit #3 on the R&B chart) and soon became a catchphrase.Lee Michaels '1971 version reached #39 on the Hot 100; curiously both his and Gaye's versions peaked during Christmas week.Credits
*Lead vocals by
Marvin Gaye
*Background vocals byThe Supremes &The Four Tops
*Instrumentation byThe Funk Brothers
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