In 1963, the Andantes, with the Marvelettes, released the single "Too Hurt to Cry, Too Much in Love to Say Goodbye" b/w "Come on Home" as credited to the Darnells. In 1964 they released a single of their own called "(Like A) Nightmare" b/w "If You Were Mine", though none of the actual Andantes sang lead on either track (future Marvelette Ann Bogan performed the lead vocals).
The Andantes are also featured on some records that were not produced by Motown Records, the most prominent example being Jackie Wilson's "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" (Pat Lewis substitutes for Louvain Demps on this track). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, The Andantes were signed to Motorcity Records, recording songs on their own, as well as once again serving as backing vocalists to fellow former Motown artists. During this time, Lewis had joined the group as a full-time member.
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Andantes appeared as backing vocalists on many of Motown's recorded singles, as the Funk Brothers also had when providing instrumentation. Seven of these singles that they provided background vocals for would go on to chart at the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 popular music chart.
As part of the Ian Levine's Motorcity Records project in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Andantes were signed to the label and once again provided a service in recording backing vocals to former Motown artists. By this time, Pat Lewis had joined Jackie Hicks, Barrow and Demps (from 1989 to 1992).
Levine also recorded several songs with the Andantes, issuing a new single "Lightning Never Strikes Twice", which featured Demps on lead vocals. Most other songs recorded by the group at Motorcity had Lewis on lead vocals.[citation needed]
Motorcity recordings
Original recordings
"Lightning Never Strikes Twice"
"Hurricane"
"Throw Love Away"
"Step Into My Shoes" – also recorded by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
"Two Sides Of Love"
"One Drop Of Rain"
"Will You Always Be There"
"Love Is A Bumpy Road"
"All Around the Motorcity"
Cover versions
"Girls Are Out To Get You"
"Superstition"
"Mercy, Mercy Me"
"I Wish" – cover of the Stevie Wonder classic
"My World Is Empty Without You"
"The Boss"
"Last Dance"
"Little Darlin'"
"Why Am I Loving You"
Unreleased tracks
"Back In My Arms Again"
"In And Out Of Love"
"I Wish It Would Rain"
"Waste of Time" (Instrumental only)
Louvain Demps – Better Times
Whilst under contract to Motorcity Records, Louvain was given the opportunity to step up to the microphone and record a full album, which was released in 1992 under the title Better Times, which includes original tunes and one cover of the Diana Ross hit "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".
"On the Front Page"
"Better times"
"One Shot At Happiness"
"Lost & Found"
"Good Intentions"
"Blind Love"
"On the Beach"
"My Heart Won't Say No"
"No Time For Tears"
"Reach Out & Touch Somebody's Hand"
Louvain recorded two further tracks with Motorcity which did not appear on the above album:
"On Top Of the Mountain"
"Sight And Sound"
Pat Lewis
Ian Levine has claimed that he has recorded more songs with Pat Lewis than with any other artist. Several songs recorded by Lewis whilst with Motorcity Records are:
