Up the Ladder to the Roof

"Up the Ladder to the Roof" is a 1970 hit single recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label. It was the first Supremes single to feature new lead singer Jean Terrell in place of Diana Ross, who officially left the group for a solo career two weeks before the recording of this song in January 1970. This song also marks a number of other firsts: it is the first Supremes single since "The Happening" in 1967 to be released under the name "The Supremes" instead of "Diana Ross & The Supremes", the first Supremes single solely produced by Norman Whitfield associate Frank Wilson, and the first Supremes single to make the United Kingdom Top 10 since "Reflections" in 1967.

"Up the Ladder to the Roof"
Single by The Supremes
from the album Right On
B-side"Bill, When Are You Coming Back"
ReleasedFebruary 16, 1970 (U.S.)
RecordedJanuary 30, 1970 - February 1970
StudioHitsville U.S.A. (Studio A)
GenreSoul, R&B
Length3:11 (album/single version)
LabelMotown
M 1162
Songwriter(s)Frank Wilson
Vincent DiMirco
Producer(s)Frank Wilson
The Supremes singles chronology
"Someday We'll Be Together"
(1969)		 "Up the Ladder to the Roof"
(1970)		 "The Rhythm of Life (with The Temptations)"
(1970)

Frank Wilson wrote the music for the song, with lyrics written by an Italian-American songwriter from New York City named Vincent DiMirco.

"Up the Ladder to the Roof" rose to number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the soul chart, in the spring of 1970.[1] Outside the US, The Supremes scored a #6 smash with the song in the UK and number eight in Canada.

Reception

Billboard called the song 'a blockbuster', writing 'Mary and Cindy come off strong behind the fine lead in this swinger that will spiral the chart.[2]

Rashod Ollison of The Virginian-Pilot, described "Up the Ladder to the Roof" as 'one of the most buoyant singles in Motown's fabled catalog' with 'lush orchestration undergirded by a rock-steady rhythm section, an arrangement that floats comfortably between pop and soul without ever settling in either category.' Ollison compared Jean Terrell and Diana Ross' voices, writing 'Jean's cooing style is similar to Diana's – pretty, seductive and feather-soft. But she sings with more power.' Ollison also noted 'Unlike previous Supremes records, the background vocals are more prominent, mixed high above the busy percussion, handclaps and soaring strings.'[3]

Matthew Greenwald of Allmusic gave similar praise, writing, 'the group, featuring new lead vocalist Jean Terrell, began a very brief and satisfying series of recordings that were easily among the group's finest recordings with or without Ross'. Greenwald described the song as having 'A fine and well-crafted pop/soul confection,' whilst the 'melody has a sweet melodic soul, couched in the then studio nous that Motown was experimenting. Sterling strings and some funky wah-wah guitars are contemporary touches, but it's the group's command of the innocence of the lyrics that takes center stage, making this one of the group's latter-day highlights.'[4]

Entertainment Weekly gave the song a B−, writing, 'The first of only a handful of post-Diana Ross top 10 hits, this one’s got some funky conga action. But the vocal, while serviceable, is pretty forgettable.'[5]

The single reportedly sold a million copies in the US.[3]

Personnel

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States — 1,000,000[3][25]

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 558.
  2. "Spotlight Singles: Top 20 Pop Spotlight". Billboard. 28 February 1970. p. 68. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. Ollison, Rashod (3 December 2013). "We Can See Heaven Much Better: The Supremes Without Diana". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  4. Greenwald, Matthew (3 December 2013). "Up the Ladder to the Roof - The Supremes". Allmusic. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  5. Fiore, Raymond (April 18, 2006). "This week in 1970: Rating the top 10 singles". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  6. Supreme Faith by Mary Wilson
  7. "Go-Sets National Top 40". Go-Set. 16 May 1970. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  8. "Every Unique AMR Top 100 Single of the 1970". Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  9. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3789." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  10. "Lesbók Morgunblaðsins - 23. tölublað (14.06.1970)". Lesbók Morgunblaðsins (in Icelandic). 14 June 1970. p. 15. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  11. "The Supremes - Up The Ladder To The Roof | Top 40". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  12. "Supremes: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  13. "The Supremes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. "The Supremes Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  15. "The Supremes Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  16. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". Cashbox. April 25, 1970. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  17. "The CASH BOX Top 50 In R&B Locations". Cashbox. April 18, 1970. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  18. "100 TOP POPS: Week of April 25, 1970" (PDF). Record World. worldradiohistory.com. April 25, 1970. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  19. "Top 50 R&B: Week of April 18, 1970" (PDF). Record World. worldradiohistory.com. April 18, 1970. p. 41. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  20. "Top 100 1970 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  21. "Hot 100 Songs - Year End (1970)". Billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  22. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Year End (1970)". Billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  23. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1970: TOP 100 POP SINGLES". Cashbox. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  24. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1970: TOP 100 R&B SINGLES". Cashbox. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  25. J. Randy Taraborrelli (1986). Motown: Hot Wax, City Cool & Solid Gold. Doubleday. p. 105. ISBN 9780385197991. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
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