What's Easy for Two Is Hard for One

"What's Easy for Two Is Hard for One"
Single by Mary Wells
from the album Mary Wells' Greatest Hits
B-side"You Lost the Sweetest Boy"
Released1963
Recorded1963
GenreSoul, pop
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)Smokey Robinson
Producer(s)Smokey Robinson
Mary Wells singles chronology
"Your Old Standby"
(1963) 		"What's Easy for Two Is Hard for One"
(1963) 		"You Lost the Sweetest Boy"
(1963)

"What's Easy for Two Is Hard for One" (also known as "What's Easy for Two Is So Hard for One") is a song written and produced by Smokey Robinson and released as a single by singer Mary Wells for the Motown label.[1]

Song information

In this song, the narrator is longing for a longtime partnership with a suitor and constantly begs the man to "take her to the preacher man" in hopes the couple does "what should be done" because "what two can easily do is so hard to be done by one".

Release and reaction

Released in mid-1963, the song returned Wells to the top 30 where it peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and #8 R&B).[1][2] Wells covered the song at least two more times.

Covers

"What's Easy for Two Is Hard For One" is one of the most covered Motown songs within the company.

Personnel

Mary Wells' version

Temptations' version

Connie Haines' version

Marvelettes' version

References

  1. ^ a b The Complete Motown Singles Vol 3: 1963 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research.
  3. ^ "The Temptations Sing Smokey - The Temptations | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
  4. ^ The Complete Motown Singles Vol 8: 1968 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
  5. ^ a b "Don't Forget the Motor City". Dftmc.info. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
  6. ^ "Lulu Discography - UK". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2016-09-27.