It was 1966. A year of immense change, but in the hallowed halls of Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit, something truly timeless was being forged. From the powerhouse that was Motown Records came a sound that would echo through the decades, a song that was more than just music; it was a raw, unfiltered emotion captured on vinyl. The track was “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever,” and the voice belonged to the one and only Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops. For many, it was just another hit, but for those who were there, it was a moment of pure, unadulterated magic.
The creation, penned by the prodigious hands of a young Stevie Wonder and Ivy Jo Hunter, was a masterclass in musical arrangement. The legendary session musicians, The Funk Brothers, were summoned, and what they laid down was nothing short of a miracle. It all begins with a delicate guitar riff, not shouting for attention, but beckoning you closer, a warm invitation into the heart of the song. Then comes the lively piano, its chords dancing with a joyful abandon that belies the deep soulfulness of the track.
But the true soul of the rhythm section, the very heartbeat of the song, belonged to the master himself, the legendary James Jamerson. His bassline wasn’t just a series of notes; it was a conversation, a fluid, melodic story weaving through the melody, a foundation so groovy and yet so complex it still leaves musicians in awe today. “You have to understand, when Levi Stubbs sang that line, ‘I feel kind of like a child learning to smile for the first time,’ it wasn’t just words,” reflects music historian Eleanor Vance, who was a young intern at a Detroit radio station at the time. “You felt it in your bones. We were all witnessing this raw, almost painfully beautiful emotion being captured on tape. It was lightning in a bottle. A moment that could never, ever be replicated. It was heartbreakingly pure.”
This wasn’t just a song; it was a meticulously crafted piece of art. Under the watchful eyes of Motown’s best producers, every element was polished to perfection. The subtle sweep of strings adds a layer of grandeur, a cinematic quality that elevates the emotion, while the gentle shake of a tambourine keeps the youthful, hopeful spirit alive. This was the “sound of young America,” born in a small studio but destined to conquer the world, a testament to the label’s unmatched craftsmanship.
Decades have passed since its release, yet “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever” refuses to fade. It remains a beloved classic, a powerful relic from a golden era. Its influence is undeniable, a blueprint for soulful expression that artists still strive to follow. The track is a bridge, connecting the pure joy of pop music with the profound depths of soul, captivating listeners new and old. For anyone who has ever felt that all-consuming, ever-growing love, the song remains a universal anthem. The raw passion of Levi Stubbs, the genius of its writers, and the magic of the Motown machine created something that wasn’t just for 1966, but for eternity.