Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)

"Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)"
Single by Martha and the Vandellas
from the album Greatest Hits
A-side	"You've Been in Love Too Long"
Released	July 26, 1965
Recorded	Hitsville U.S.A., April 10, 1964 & May 5, 1965
Genre	Pop
Label	Gordy
Songwriter(s)	Holland–Dozier–Holland
Producer(s)	Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier
Martha and the Vandellas singles chronology
"Nowhere to Run" (1965) "You've Been in Love Too Long" / "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" (1965) "My Baby Loves Me" (1966)

"Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" is a 1965 pop ballad by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas.^[1] A rare ballad for the group, whose forte was reportedly uptempo soul dance numbers including "Dancing in the Street" and "Nowhere to Run", the b-side to the group's single, "You've Been in Love Too Long", although the song only peaked at #70 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #22 on the Billboard Hot R&B singles chart.^[2] Cash Box described it as a "plaintive, slow-shufflin’ heart-throbber with a nostalgic years-back sound."^[3]

Other artist recording the song include: Kim Weston (original recording artist on unreleased track), Diana Ross and the Supremes, Thee Midnighters, Slim Smith, Jean Carn, Billy Preston, and Eula Cooper. The Andantes recorded co-backing vocals on all three Motown recordings.^[4][5][6][7]

Personnel

• Lead vocals by Martha Reeves
• Background vocals by The Andantes: Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow and Louvain Demps
• Produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier
• Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland, Jr.
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

References

1. 50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1962-1972 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records
2. Whitburn, Joel (2010). Hot R&B Songs 1942-2010: 6th Edition. Record Research.
3. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. August 7, 1965. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
4. "Don't Forget the Motor City". Dftmc.info.
5. "Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
6. "Search for "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things) "". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
7. "Reflections - Diana Ross & the Supremes, the Supremes | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.