Did you know that (Diana Ross &) the Supremes are America’s most successful vocal group to date? Yet another hit-maker from Motown coupled with the genius songwriting minds of Holland-Dozier-Holland, The Supremes (who didn’t have “Diana Ross and” in the title until 1967) had 12 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100! Also, the group was actually formed as a sister act to the Primes, who later became the Temptations! But enough trivia; we’re here to discuss their song, “My World is Empty Without You.”
Though this particular song is one of the Supremes’ least successful (it peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100), “My World is Empty Without You” is still instantly recognizable. The bouncy organ and bass sound so dark yet upbeat that I don’t know what to do with myself! I wanted to dance around but the darkness got me confused because that church organ has a tendency to darken anything. At any rate, that confusion only lasts a few seconds as the saxophone, incredibly quick guitar strums and strings soon enter the picture. Diana Ross’ voice also comes in at the same time and we all know how much of a diva she is! You don’t become a diva for being mediocre, I’ll tell you that! She emits an energy that makes you wonder why it took her so long to go solo! I really wish Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson were more present in the song, though. I love doo-wop and the back-up singers that make it what it is, so hearing more of that would’ve been awesome. I understand the subject of the matter of the song is supposed to be depressing but there’s nothing wrong with lightening up the mood a little! One can argue that the strings represent the tears, but I don’t think that’s enough since this song is so uptempo.
Now, when Lee Fields & the Expressions covered “My World is Empty Without You,” he ran with that dark feeling. This version is more guitar-oriented and the strings have much more of a presence. Also, the harmonizing “oooooooo”‘s make the song sound almost … ghostly! Fields’ voice is strong and full of emotion; moreso than Ross in the original version. He even adds the little cracks in his voice at the end of some lines that make it sound like he’s going to break out in tears at any moment. The backup singers in Fields’ version seem to be a lot more present as well, but that could be that they are louder than Ballard and Wilson are in their version. As the song goes on, the strings become more and more the focal point along with Fields’ emotion-filled singing.
Though the Supremes are the original artists of “My World is Empty Without You,” I prefer Lee Fields’ version. It could be the era or the style or whatever, but I just think the arrangement is better as well as the emotion he emits through the speakers. I really do like the Supremes’ version of the song, but definitely listen to Lee Fields’ version and decide for yourself whether or not he totally rocks this song!
Bonus Video: “My World is Empty Without You” – The Supremes performing live on the Ed Sullivan Show