"I Can't Help Myself" is a 1965 song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label. The song was written and produced by Motown's main production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland. It is one of the most well-known Motown recordings from the 1960s and was one of the decade's most popular songs. The single reached the top of Billboard's R&B chart for nine weeks and was named the biggest R&B single of the year by Billboard. It also reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for two separate periods in 1965: from June 12 to June 19 and from June 26 to July 3. During this time, the song replaced "Back in My Arms Again" by the Supremes, who were also signed to Motown. The song was first replaced at No. 1 by "Mr. Tambourine Man" by the Byrds, then returned to the top spot before being replaced by the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." Billboard ranked the song as the second biggest single of 1965. In the UK, "I Can't Help Myself" was the Four Tops' first top 40 single, reaching No. 23 at the end of 1965. It later reached No. 10 in the UK when it was re-released in early 1970.

Composition

The song features lead singer Levi Stubbs, with help from the other three members of The Tops and the Andantes, singing with a begging tone about loving a woman: "Sugar pie, honey bunch/I'm weaker than a man should be!/Can't help myself/I'm a fool in love, you see." The melody and chord patterns are very similar to The Supremes' 1964 hit "Where Did Our Love Go," also written by Holland-Dozier-Holland. According to AllMusic critic Ed Hogan, the title "I Can't Help Myself" is an indirect way for Dozier to admit he could not resist using a melody from his earlier hit. The title "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch" only appears on some older reissues of the song.

Reception

Billboard called the song a "spirited, fast-paced wailer performed in [the Four Tops'] unique style." Cash Box described it as "a fun, hand-clapping song about a man who is very happy because he is in love with the woman of his dreams." Record World said that the "Tops will help their song rise up the charts with this powerful love song."

Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song at No. 483 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song has been covered many times since 1965, including versions used in many TV commercials. In 2019, Applebee's used the song in one of their advertisements.

Personnel

• Lead vocals performed by Levi Stubbs
• Background vocals performed by Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Lawrence Payton, and the Andantes: Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps
• Musical instruments played by the Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (strings), including bass guitar by James Jamerson, drums by Benny Benjamin, and baritone saxophone by Mike Terry
• Lyrics written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Edward Holland, Jr.
• Music produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier

Bonnie Pointer version

In 1980, Bonnie Pointer had a disco crossover hit in the United States. The song reached number 40 on the pop singles chart, number 42 on the soul singles chart, and number 4 on the dance chart. In Canada, it reached number 43 on the RPM Top 100 Singles chart. The song also reached number 52 in Australia.

La Toya Jackson version

"I Can't Help Myself" was recorded by American singer La Toya Jackson for her ninth studio album, Stop in the Name of Love. The album includes Motown covers. The single "I Can't Help Myself" was released in April 1995. The B-side, a cover of the Supremes' "Baby Love," is also from the album.

Other versions

The Supremes recorded a version of the song between 1965 and 1966. It was included on their album The Supremes A' Go-Go. At the time, the Supremes were supported by a group of musicians called the Funk Brothers, who also helped record songs for the Four Tops. These musicians were the same people who worked on the original version of the song that reached the top of the charts. In 1967, the Four Tops recorded a special version of the song in Italian, titled "Piangono gli uomini" ("The Men Cry").

In the winter of 1969, Johnny Rivers recorded his own version of the song. His version reached number 2 on the music charts in South Africa.

In 1972, Donnie Elbert released a version of the song that reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. In Canada, the same version reached number 37.

In 1989, an American country music group called Billy Hill released a version of the song. It reached number 58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

In 1989, a group called the Motorcity All-Stars released a new recording of the song. The recording was part of a project by Ian Levine, who created a label called Motorcity to revive Motown music. The Motorcity All-Stars were made up of as many former Motown singers as Levine could find. Levi Stubbs’s brother, Joe, asked Levi to join the group to record the song. Both brothers sang on the track, along with other former Motown artists, including Sammy Ward, Cal Gill of the Velvelettes, and Carolyn Crawford and C.P. Spencer of the Originals. Many other former Motown workers appeared in the music video, such as Berry Gordy’s ex-wife, Raynoma Gordy Singleton, and Maxine Powell, who once led Motown’s artist development team.

In 1992, an Australian girl group called Teen Queens released a version of the song. It reached number 28 on the Australian Singles Chart.

In 2013, American musician Kid Rock performed the song during his concert tour. He later included a version of the song on his 2017 album Sweet Southern Sugar, where it was titled "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch."