2:44
That Stubborn Kinda Fellow, 1963
Written by Marvin Gaye, William "Mickey" Stevenson, and George Gordy
A brash Motown screamer, this song is another in R&B/rock's catalogue of songs of lovelorn guys pushing their infatuation too hard on some hapless woman. "But every time I reach for you, baby / And try to kiss you, you just jump clean out of sight," the narrator complains, nevertheless hinting he may have earned some antipathy on her part: "Now I know you've heard about me / Bad things about me, baby, please let me explain." Brimming with youthful energy, the tune is catchy, packed with subtle shifts and sharp hooks. The band locks into a driving backbeat after a crisp opening drum fill, with a lively horn section and a playful jazz-flute break adding extra color. The real magic, though, is the vocal chemistry. A girl group called the Del-Phis, who would later become Martha and the Vandellas, blend backing vocals to Gaye's exuberant, raw howl, and the result is a terrific song that paved the way for future Gaye classics.
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