Sunday Soul: Who’s Lovin’ You

This song was written by Smokey Robinson for his group the Miracles in 1960. Robinson was, and is, one of the finest songwriters who ever put pen to paper, but he is also blessed with a remarkable voice, and this tune gave him a chance to really stretch his vocal chops. As such it would become a showcase piece for all kinds of singers in ensuing years.
As with many Smokey Robinson-penned tunes of the time, “Who’s Lovin’ You” was also recorded by other artists in the Motown family, including the Temptations, whose lead singer David Ruffin offered a smoother, more controlled rendition than that of the Miracles on their album The Temptations Sing Smokey in 1965. It’s a great performance, but somehow lacking in the urgency suggested by the original. The Supremes and Brenda Holloway also recorded the song for the Motown label. Brenda and the Tabulations, a quartet from Philly with a puzzling name, released their take on the song 1967, and scored a modest hit. Brenda Payton’s clear voice is a pleasure to listen to, but the song isn’t that far removed from the Temptations’ version.
By this time, “Who’s Lovin’ You” had reached “standard status” in many artists’ repertoires, and served as a show-stopper for those vocalists who could take advantage of the song’s considerable room to improvise.
Of course, not every version of the song does it justice. In 1965 the British duo of Peter & Gordon included “Who’s Lovin’ You” on their album True Love Ways. Don't get me wrong--Peter & Gordon delivered many lasting great and hits in the 60s, but their take on “Who’s Lovin’ You” is a big miss. (You’ll find just a sample of it here—any more than that might be considered cruel and unusual punishment.)
The song was taken to a new level in 1969 when it was recorded by the Jackson Five and released as the B-side to the group’s first single “I Want You Back.” Talk about a debut! Between the infectious A-side and the knockout punch B-side, it was clear the Jackson family had a goldmine in their eighth child.
The Jackson's version of “Who’s Lovin’ You” is, in my book, the clear winner in this battle of covers. Michael Jackson sounds like he’s channeling the great gospel and blues singers of the past as he delivers the vocal with a level of soulfulness and feeling only hinted at in earlier versions. And remember--the kid is only 11 years old at the time of this recording!
Jackson’s rendition of the tune became the blueprint for other versions to follow, especially those by Terence Trent D'Arby (who has reinvented himself and these days goes by the name Sananda Maitreya) on his 1987 debut album Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby, and by Perfect Blend on their 1996 Masterpiece album. For all their considerable vocal abilities, the two singers rely heavily on the Jacskon version (although the coda on D’Arby's version is pretty remarkable in it's own right).
En Vogue tacked an a capella first verse/chorus of "Who’s Lovin' You" onto the beginning of their "Hold On" debut single in 1990, but I would really love to have heard them do the entire thing.

Listen:

Smoky Robinson & the Miracles Who’s Lovin’ You

The Temptations Who’s Lovin’ You

Brenda and the Tabulations Who’s Lovin’ You

Peter & Gordon Who’s Lovin’ You (sample)

The Jackson Five Who’s Lovin’ You

Terrence Trent D’Arby Who’s Lovin’ You