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Edwin Starr – Agent Double O Soul (1965) #8 R&B, #21 Billboard Hot 100
Edwin Star first became known to us as “Agent Double O Soul” in 1965 even though he had been in the music world struggling for a while.
Composed by Starr and Bill Sharply, this hit played on the popular Agent 007 movie franchise that was all the rage in the Sixties and Seventies. Starr even dressed the part when performing the song on stage.
I never actually got into those movies nor have I ever seen one, but I had friends and acquaintances that were huge fans of the flicks themselves and of course of Agent Double O Seven himself – Sean Connery.
I did know this song and I loved it when it came out! Originally the song was released in 1965 on the Ric-Tic label and was a top ten hit. When Motown purchased the label Starr’s contract was part of the deal and his Ric Tic hits, including “Double O Soul,” appeared on his first Motown Album release “Soul Master” in 1968.
Starr, born Charles Hatcher in Tennessee, had two or three huge hits while at Motown including “War” and “Twenty-Five Miles” and his self-penned “Oh How Happy” duet with label-mate Blinky, but he never got the great success he deserved while at Motown IMHO. I wonder what great music is in “The Vault” that we haven’t heard yet for Mr. Starr?
Starr moved to the UK in the Eighties and continued singing. He remained there until his death in 2003.
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Edwin Starr – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love) 1967
Released 2 months after the Temptations “Cloud Nine” LP (below), in April 1969, “25 Miles” was actually comprised in part of single sides, some going back as far as 1967. Starrs’ gospel tinged version of “GKOTTIWYL” also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 7:1967 — so this appears to be the original release of the song. I am not sure though so if anyone has more details I would be beholding.
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Jimmy Ruffin – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love -1968
David Ruffin’s older brother Jimmy’s version of this song appears on the May 1969 album release “Ruff ‘N Ready”. Ruffin’s version of “GKOTTIWYL” also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 8: 1968″
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The Temptations – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love (1969)
This is one of my favorite Classic Temptation albums. It charted #1 R&B and #4 Pop in 1969.
After the David Ruffin dominated “I Wish It Would Rain” LP – - the “Cloud 9″ set, released February 1960, was a breath of fresh air – featuring all of the Temptations on leads. This particular song featured the “New Guy” Dennis Edwards on lead. I like Dennis immediately. He was a perfect fit for the group IMHO.
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Marvin Gaye – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love) 1969
Norman Whitfield produced this Marvin Gaye outing, so of course he had Gaye cover this Temptations song of his. It appeared on the 1970 LP release entitled “That’s The Way Love Is” which included Gaye’s hit cover of this Isley Brothers’ original. The song also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 9: 1969″
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The Temptations – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love (1971)
This completely re-worked psychedelic version appeared on Sweet Eddie Kendricks’ Temptations swan-song album along with the classic “Just My Imagination.” Eddie sings lead on this slowed down version that picks up on the psychedelica where Ruffin’s cover left off.
So which do you prefer? Let’s talk about it after you vote.
Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love – Composed by Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
Like the birds in the trees, my heart sings a rhapsody of love for you.
Girl, you won my heart the very first time I layed eyes on you.
I know your love belongs to someone else.
But girl, I got to have you for myself.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
Gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love, woo.
A fallen star that’s what you are, from the heavens above.
There’s no treasure on earth, that can match your worth.
You’re a picture of love.
I know to you I’m just a love sick guy.
But you’re wrong.
I love ya and I need you, by my side.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
I can’t help but thinkin’ ’bout that guy.
He just got you by his side.
He’s got everything.
There’s is no end to of his happiness to be in his place.
I’ll be glad to give you anything.
I know your love belongs to him.
But girl, I can’t be satisfied jus’ being your friend.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
Gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
