***** Today’s Guest post is from Donny Gruendler. A long time friend of mine who has played drums for me live and on many studio songs I’ve written. He’s a funny guy with a great sense of humor to go along with his drumming. He teaches at Musician’s Institute and writes books on looping and playing with clicks and tracks. *****
Discussing the (and agreeing to write for) “Single of the Day†seemed simple at the outset. However, how could I possibly only pick one song for inclusion on Mr. Whitesides site? I thought and thought about the current tunes that I liked and there were not that many newly released that I was feeling – and/or listening to – so I decided to pick a song from my developmental years. Ultimately something that influenced me as a drummer and musician. So I chose Ain’t Too Proud to Beg by the Temptations.
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg was a 1966 hit single for Motown Records’ and it was produced by Norman Whitfield and written by Whitfield and Edward Holland, Jr. This song is a textbook example of the Motown sound and attitude. From its introduction drum fill and four quarter note snare groove – to the tambourine and guitar backbeats within the chorus…It “Oozes’†Motown pocket.
How did I come to hear this song in the midst of the 1980s?
I grew up in Detroit, Michigan and I played this song thousands of times on gigs and in jams sessions. What struck me most about this song – was its sense of heartfelt lyris, which made you feel our lead man’s pain. Although, in addition to that – there is a tinge of “positive thinking†and joy as the group sang– “Ain’t too proud to beg sweet darlin’ please don’t leave me…Don’t you goâ€. Even with that lyric – there was joy.
If you are feeling this song, I suggest you graduate to the Motown “Hitsville†Box set. I bet you have heard most – if not all – the tunes before. They are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Donny Gruendler