THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

553-Freda Payne-Band of Gold.

1970-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.38.It might sound like Motown, it may look like Motown, it smells like Motown, in fact the only thing that’s not Motown is the record label it was recorded on.

In 1968 Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier. and Eddie Holland (see also best songs 823-650-411-212 and 148) left Motown records over a dispute with the labels owner Berry Gordy Jr. over profit sharing, and royalties. The trio set up two new record labels in their own name, one being ‘Invictus’ the label where this song was recorded, and the other being ‘Hot Wax Records.’As a result of an on going court case between H-D-H, and Gordy, no songs written by the trio could appear on the song writing credits in their own names, so the name ‘Edyth Wayne,’ who was an acquaintance, was used alongside that of Ronald Dunbar (1939-2018,) who had worked with the trio at Motown, and had joined them in the new venture.

Freda Payne was born on September 19th, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, she is the older sister of Scherrie Payne who was the lead singer of The Supremes between 1973-1977. During here career Payne has been a TV talk show host, and an actress in musicals, and film. She has released 17 studio Albums between 1964-2014, and achieved three top 40 singles on Billboard, including this song which reached Number 3.

When first offered ‘Band of Gold’ Payne was reluctant, stating that the songs subject was more suitable for a young innocent girl. According to Ron Dunbar, it was he who encouraged Payne to record the song, saying,’You don’t have to like it, just sing it.’ The songs subject is open to interpretation, some think it is about a bride not being able to consummate her marriage because this is her first time, and some think it is the groom who is impotent, perhaps through being gay.

‘Band of Gold’ was written by Motown’s most successful writers, H-D-H, and the instrumentation was provided by members of the ‘Funk Brothers,’ who were the house band at Motown. The backing vocals were provided by Scherrie Payne, Thelma Hopkins, Joyce Vincent Wilson, and Pamela Vincent, the latter three would go on to form ‘Dawn’ with Tony Orlando (see also best songs 886.) One of the guitarists on the track is Ray Parker Jr (see also best songs 560.)

‘We kissed after taking vows, but that night on our honeymoon we stayed in separate rooms.’