By Brian Holland / By Lamont Dozier / By Edward Holland / As performed by Kim Wilde / As performed by The Supremes / Arranged by Mark Brymer
Item: 35-DS00151588
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$2.99
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Description
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Brian Holland co-wrote some of the most enduring pop songs of the 1960s as part of the Motown songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland. Working alongside Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland, Brian crafted the architectural backbone of these compositions: melodies that lodged themselves in listeners' ears, chord progressions that felt both sophisticated and immediately singable, and arrangements that showcased vocal artistry. His work with The Supremes and countless other Motown artists fundamentally shaped what pop music could be.
For choral directors, Holland's songs offer something rare: pop standards that improve under harmonic enrichment. The melodic clarity he built into these pieces makes them ideal for exploring how contemporary arrangers can honor a classic while adding textural depth and modern choral sophistication.
Why we love this
Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the irresistible hook of this Motown classic while building genuine four-part interest that never feels forced. The piece sits at a sweet spot where audiences immediately connect with the familiar melody, but your singers discover real vocal challenge in the internal parts and rhythmic precision the arrangement demands.
What to expect
A song caught between vulnerability and conviction. The arrangement honors the yearning in the original melody while layering in modern harmonic color that keeps the piece from feeling dated. Your singers will feel the forward momentum even in slower moments; this arrangement never lets tension release too early.
Who it's for
This works for choirs ready to tackle rhythmic precision and blend challenges while performing music their audiences already love. It's especially valuable for groups looking to program pop standards that don't sacrifice musical substance for accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
Nail the rhythmic precision in the refrain. The syncopation that makes this song memorable will flatten without crisp attacks and releases from all sections working as a unit.
Balance the melody line so it cuts through the harmonic texture. Even when other parts carry interesting material, the Soprano needs to dominate without straining.
Explore the emotional arc. This song moves between pleading and defiance; shape your phrasing to honor both moods rather than treating the entire piece at one intensity level.
Record a rehearsal and listen for blend in the inner voices. Altos and Tenors often disappear when the Sopranos and Basses anchor the sound; they need presence without projection.
How to use it
Place this as an opener or a second piece where you need to rebuild audience energy after something heavier. It works beautifully in a pop or American standards set, and it's sophisticated enough to hold its own in a mixed concert alongside art songs and classical repertoire.
Skills your students will build
Syncopated rhythm reading and precise ensemble coordination
Maintaining melodic clarity while balancing four-part harmony
Approaching pop music with the same musical intention as classical repertoire
Stylistic interpretation of contemporary arrangements
Dynamic control across a range of intensities
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