“Floy Joy” was the Supremes’ last top twenty hit and it’s today’s classic song of the day. Released as a single in December of 1971, it hit, early in 1972, #16 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 and #5 on Billboard’s R&B chart.
In many ways, “Floy Joy” was a return to classic form for the Supremes. They’d had two relative flops (“You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart” and “Touch”) since their last big hit, “Nathan Jones,” and decided to ditch the hip ’70s sound with a more traditional ’60s approach. To that end, they got Smokey Robinson to write and produce “Floy Joy,” and it definitely sounds like classic Supremes, complete with four-on-the-floor footstomps.
“Floy Joy” is somewhat unusual in that it featured two lead singers, Jean Terrell (who replaced Diana Ross in 1970) and the last remaining original Supreme, Mary Wilson. (Mary was the sultrier alto voice, Jean the brighter soprano.) This was also one of the last tracks that included third Supreme Cindy Birdsong before she left the group; the album’s cover actually features her replacement, Lynda Lawrence.
Here’s what Mary Wilson remembers about working with Smokey Robinson on this track:
“During the sessions, he was so supportive and patient, guiding me through my lead lines… It was an experience and a kindness I will never forget.”
Smokey used all the usual Funk Brothers on this one, including guitarists Robert White and Dennis Coffey, pianist Earl Van Dyke, bassist James Jamerson, percussionist Jack Ashford, and drummer Andrew Smith, along with the Andantes on additional background vocals. It was one of the last pure Motown tracks recorded in Detroit before the company moved most of its operations to Los Angeles. It definitely sounds like a mid-60s Motown stomper, and that’s a good thing.
And here’s today’s daily bonus video of the day, the Supremes (Jean, Mary, and Lynda) lip synching “Flow Joy” on Soul Train in 1972. They sure do seem like they’re having fun.
