Helpless - Stereo Version

Kim Weston (from Mojo magazine February 2009): "Holland, Dozier and Holland had written the song for the Four Tops, and they'd recorded it on their Second Album from 1965, but Motown needed a hit for me to follow up 'Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While),' so they told me they wanted me to sing the song. I didn't have a choice in the matter. I liked the Four Tops version and they gave me that as a guide. The Andantes were singing on it too, and we used the same Funk Brothers rhythm track. I went away and rehearsed singing over the top of it for a week, then went into the studio to record my voice on the track. I could sing jazz, blues and soul, but my voice was tougher than some of the other artists' voices. I didn't really get the same push and support that I felt I should have and that made me unhappy. 'Helpless' was my last hit with Motown before I went to MGM, it was released some nine months after Take Me and I just didn't think that was quick enough. Singles had a three-month life-span and I felt I deserved more."

Weston is best known for her duet with Marvin Gaye "It Takes Two," which reached the Top 20 in both the UK and US in 1967. After leaving Motown she later sued the label over disputes about royalties.