Fact is, the Supremes were a hard act to get off the ground. Of course, once they got going, the girls were a hit machine. The first girl group to have a number one single for the Motown label was a group called the Marvelettes.
The Marvelettes consisted, in the beginning, of four girls from a Detroit suburb. They began singing together in high school and, not long after that, the teens were at the top of the pop charts. The song was composed by a crack Motown team of songwriters, but part of the story is that a real mail carrier helped write it. Here is a tidbit of trivia: Marvin Gaye played drums on the original version. This song was at the top of the charts in December 1961. You will see that, at least when the video was made, the girls were down to three.
The pivotal song was a favorite of the Beatles. They performed it often in concert and put it on an album in the early years.
What a comeback! The Carpenters brought it back to life in 1971. You got it, they had a #1 hit with the postman. The song had legs.
Carpenters －Please Mr.Postman
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For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar 
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.
Wow, thanks for the memories. I loved the Beatles version but did not know where the song was from. Happy thanksgiving!
David,
Good Thanksgiving to you. Nice to have a day off.
WOW! Thanks for the memories. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!
Steve, as you can imagine----I always liked the original version the best:)
I liked the orginal version as well. But then maybe thats because Im old...... I loved all of the
Motown music and you know what it still is my favorite. Great post, nice way to kick off Thanksgiving.
I will be humming this song all day. Have a Great Day.
Another great history lesson! I didn't realize it had been performed successfully by so many top artists. I still like the Beatles best! Thanks!
Barbara,
So do you like the Beatles best, right after Elvis.
The Beatles as a group and Elvis as a hunk. Is that a valid answer?
Barbara.
I had that one figured.
Steven,
It only takes ONE song to hit the big time! Funny, another group starting out with more members, and those that drop out never get to reap the benefits of having a #1 hit! I guess they are just not sticking around long enough! Had forgotten that the Carpenters had their rendition of the song as well until I watched the video! ;)
Michelle,
In pop music it is kind of amazing how the hits and the acts all end up being made or lost.