#SLS — “(I Know) I’m Losing You” by The Temptations

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I did not know who wrote the song, nor who recorded it first, but “(I Know) I’m Losing You” is the song I wanted to share today. Although it doesn’t mention abandoning, departing, deserting, exiting, leaving, resigning, or retiring, you don’t have to reach far to understand that’s what’s going to happen real soon in the relationship the singer is singing about. He can see she has already essentially left by the look in her eyes and is thinking about someone new. Another song very similar to this one is, “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” by The Righteous Brothers.

Some individuals have an MO where they are never single; they just move on to the next relationship, with no gaps. The singer is hopelessly in love with one of those individuals.

This is also the time when relationships are most likely to turn dangerous. A rejected partner may think, if I can’t have her/him, nobody else can. Advice to those trying to leave an emotionally volatile and/or physically violent person, please be very careful. Try to develop a strong support system, and call them quickly if you need to.

“(I Know) I’m Losing You” is a 1966 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. It is written by Cornelius Grant, Eddie Holland and Norman Whitfield, and produced by Norman Whitfield.

The song was the first single released from The Temptations with a Lot O’ Soul. The single was released on November 2, 1966. The album was released on July 17, 1967.

Personnel:
The Temptations
David Ruffin– vocals (tenor/baritone)
Eddie Kendricks– vocals (tenor/falsetto)
Paul Williams– vocals (baritone)
Melvin Franklin- vocals (bass)
Otis Williams– vocals (second tenor)
with the following additional personnel on this song:
Cornelius Grant– guitar
Earl Van Dyke- keyboards
James Jamerson– bass
Uriel Jones– drums
Eddie “Bongo” Brown– percussion
Jack Ashford– tambourine

The first video is a studio lyrics version.


The second one is live and really gets into the emotions of what’s going on.

Some covers of the song did well also:

Rare Earth in 1970

Rod Stewart in 1971

The Undisputed Truth in 1975

Uptown in the 1980’s

Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim wants us to share a song that mentions abandoning, departing, deserting, exiting, leaving, resigning, or retiring.

Source: wikipedia

36 Comments Add yours

  1. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:

    a great song choice from you Li 💜💜 I liked this song a lot!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Glad you do, CA. I like all of the covers I included also. They played The Temptations a lot on the radio and also Rare Earth one.

      Like

  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    Great choice for SLS!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

      whoops, that was Paula @ lightmotifs

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks, Paula! It’s like the song called out to me.

      Like

  3. willowdot21's avatar willowdot21 says:

    Well Lia what a great choice you really took

    me back . I really love this song too! … the other versins too were great especially Rod Stewart! 💜💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Willow, so happy you enjoyed this old gold in its various versions. I love the Rod one also <3

      Liked by 1 person

      1. willowdot21's avatar willowdot21 says:

        I love it 💜💜

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Clive's avatar Clive says:

    A nice choice for the theme. I also like Rod Stewart’s version.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks, Clive. Rod does angst well :)

      Liked by 1 person

  5. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:

    Great selection Lisa I haven’t heard it for years I also like the covers especially Rare Earth – h as Vera great Sunday 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Ange, happy to bring it back to you <3

      Liked by 1 person

  6. pvcann's avatar pvcann says:

    A wonderful choice, noting that it wasn’t always the single and then the album immediately in those days, the UK pop move changed all that though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Good to know, Paul. Glad you liked the choice :)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. pvcann's avatar pvcann says:

        Very welcome Li ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Excellent choice, Lisa and David Ruffin sang this song with total anguish, sounding like a man about to combust.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Jim, thank you. Yes, he did!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Love me some Temptations!! A fantastic song too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Keith totally agree with you on The Temptations and this song.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Love the Motown sound, Lisa! Great choice.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Nancy glad you do, thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. J-Dub's avatar J-Dub says:

    I love how you connected the dots to the prompt. Great choice. I especially loved the covers. Pure homages 💝

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      J, thanks so much for your reading, listening, and comment <3

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Max's avatar Max says:

    OH I love this song! I first heard it from Rare Earth but that doesn’t matter…it’s a great song no matter who does it and what way they go about it. That is a sign of an excellent written song.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Max I am in full agreement with you about excellent written songs. Sounds great every which-way. For this one, I think tortured angst is what puts some at the top.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Max's avatar Max says:

        Thats it! Never thought about that but it gets through.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    A great song! The Temptations are so good, in so many ways. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      <3 They get me in the feels.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. A great song! James Jamerson’s bass really carries this song…Rod Stewart’s version is carried by Kenny Jones on drums. And the writers – Eddie Holland of Holland/Dozier/Holland, authors of many Motown hits; Norman Whitfield (“I heard it Through the Grapevine”), and Cornelius Grant, mostly a Motown guitarist.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Steve, glad you like it and thank you for the additional background information

      Liked by 1 person

  14. lisaapaul's avatar lisaapaul says:

    excellent song choice! I loved listening to the covers, too – especially Rare Earth’s ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Happy you enjoyed the selections, Lisa <3

      Like

  15. bruce@ssa's avatar bruce@ssa says:

    A great, great song, and I gotta say I love the Rod Stewart and Rare Earth covers almost as much as the Temptations version. Almost.😊

    Liked by 1 person

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