I'll Try Something New (song)

Background

Song information

In the song, the narrator (Smokey Robinson) describes how if he feels that if his first attempt at trying to show his lover affection was not good enough, then he'd try something new to keep their love alive: The Miracles issued the original version of the song in 1962, and with wife and fellow Miracles member Claudette's voice clearly audible in the chorus (hey Venus...). Smokey and Motown founder Berry Gordy produced the song with an Oriental feel to it, with unusually lush-for-the-period orchestration and sweeping strings, showcasing The Miracles' harmonies and Robinson's production style.

The Miracles' original version peaked number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 In 1982. Twelve years after going solo, Robinson re-recorded the track with a more contemporary arrangement for his hit album "Yes It's You Lady."

Personnel

Miracles version

• Lead vocals by Smokey Robinson
• Background vocals by Claudette Rogers Robinson, Pete Moore, Ronnie White and Bobby Rogers
• Guitarist Marv Tarplin
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Supremes and Temptations version

• Lead vocals by Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin
• Background vocals by Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams and The Andantes
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and various Los Angeles area musicians

Chart history

Miracles version

The Supremes and The Temptations version

Track listing

• 7" single (20 February 1969) (North America) (Diana Ross & the Supremes/The Temptations)

1. "I'll Try Something New" – 2:18
2. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" – 1:39

Cover versions

In 1966, R&B artist Spyder Turner covered the song as an excerpt of his hit cover of the Ben E King song "Stand by Me". Several years later, in 1969, the group's Motown label-mates The Supremes and The Temptations released a duet version that became a hit reaching number 25 on the Hot 100 and number 8 on the R&B chart. Disco/pop group A Taste of Honey also covered the song 20 years later, in 1982 peaking at number 41 on the Hot 100 and number 9 on the R&B chart.

Singer/actress Barbara McNair also recorded a version of “I’ll Try Something New” for Motown. Backed by Los Angeles-based area musicians and produced by Frank Wilson and Richard Morris, McNair’s version also included background vocals by The Andantes. The McNair cover is included on “The Ultimate Motown Collection,” which includes both of her released albums as well as the unreleased “Barbara Sings Smokey” album.

References

References

1. (1969). "''Billboard'' Hot 100". [[Nielsen Company]].
2. (1969). "''Billboard'' Hot 100". [[Nielsen Company]].
3. (1962). "''Billboard'' Hot 100". [[Nielsen Company]].
4. (April 12, 1969). "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". [[Cashbox (magazine).
5. (April 5, 1969). "The CASH BOX Top 50 In R&B Locations". [[Cashbox (magazine).
6. (April 12, 1969). "100 TOP POPS: Week of April 12, 1969". worldradiohistory.com.
7. (April 12, 1969). "TOP 50 R&B: Week of April 12, 1969". worldradiohistory.com.