I'll Try Something New (song)

"I'll Try Something New" is a song written by Smokey Robinson and originally released in 1962 by The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla subsidiary label. Their version was a Billboard Top 40 hit, peaking at #39, and just missed the Top 10 of its R&B chart, peaking at #11. The song was released later as a joint single by Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations, also becoming a charting version on the Billboard 100 pop singles chart, peaking for two weeks in April 1969 at number 25.^[1][2]

"I'll Try Something New"
Single by The Miracles
from the album I'll Try Something New
B-side	"You Never Miss a Good Thing"
Released	April 9, 1962
Recorded	Hitsville USA (Studio A); 1961–1962
Genre	Soul, pop
Length	3:00
Label	Tamla T 54059
Songwriter(s)	Smokey Robinson
Producer(s)	Smokey Robinson Berry Gordy
The Miracles singles chronology
"What's So Good About Goodbye" (1961) "I'll Try Something New" (1962) "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962)
Audio
"I'll Try Something New" by The Miracles on YouTube

"I'll Try Something New"
Single by Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations
from the album Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations
B-side	"The Way You Do the Things You Do"
Released	February 20, 1969
Recorded	Hitsville USA (Studios A & B); 1968
Genre	Soul, pop
Length	2:25
Label	Motown M 1142
Songwriter(s)	Smokey Robinson
Producer(s)	Frank Wilson Nickolas Ashford Smokey Robinson Deke Richards
Diana Ross & the Supremes singles chronology
"I'm Livin' in Shame" (1969) "I'll Try Something New" (1969) "The Composer" (1969)
The Temptations singles chronology
"Run Away Child, Running Wild" (1969) "I'll Try Something New" (1969) "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down" (1969)
Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations track listing
11 tracks Side one "Try It Baby" "I Second That Emotion" "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" "This Guy's in Love with You" "Funky Broadway" Side two "I'll Try Something New" "A Place in the Sun" "Sweet Inspiration" "Then" "The Impossible Dream"
Audio
"I'll Try Something New" by Diana Ross and the Supremes & The Temptations on YouTube

Background

Song information

In the song, the narrator (Smokey Robinson) describes how if he feels that if his first attempt at trying to show his lover affection was not good enough, then he'd try something new to keep their love alive:

I will build you a castle with a tower so high it reaches the Moon. I'll gather melodies from birdies that fly and compose you a tune. Give you lovin' warm as Mama's oven, and if that don't do, then I'll try something new.

The Miracles issued the original version of the song in 1962, and with wife and fellow Miracles member Claudette's voice clearly audible in the chorus (hey Venus...). Smokey and Motown founder Berry Gordy produced the song with an Oriental feel to it, with unusually lush-for-the-period orchestration and sweeping strings, showcasing The Miracles' harmonies and Robinson's production style.

The Miracles' original version peaked number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 In 1982. Twelve years after going solo, Robinson re-recorded the track with a more contemporary arrangement for his hit album "Yes It's You Lady." ^[3]

Personnel

Miracles version

• Lead vocals by Smokey Robinson
• Background vocals by Claudette Rogers Robinson, Pete Moore, Ronnie White and Bobby Rogers
• Guitarist Marv Tarplin
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Supremes and Temptations version

• Lead vocals by Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin
• Background vocals by Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams and The Andantes
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and various Los Angeles area musicians

Chart history

Miracles version

Chart	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	39
U.S. Billboard R&B Singles Chart	11

The Supremes and The Temptations version

Chart (1969)	Peak position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[4]	16
US Billboard Hot 100[5]	25
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6]	8
US Cashbox Top 100[7]	21
US Cashbox R&B[8]	16
US Record World 100 Top Pops[9]	19
US Record World Top 50 R&B[10]	14

Track listing

• 7" single (20 February 1969) (North America) (Diana Ross & the Supremes/The Temptations)

1. "I'll Try Something New" – 2:18
2. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" – 1:39

Cover versions

In 1966, R&B artist Spyder Turner covered the song as an excerpt of his hit cover of the Ben E King song "Stand by Me". Several years later, in 1969, the group's Motown label-mates The Supremes and The Temptations released a duet version that became a hit reaching number 25 on the Hot 100 and number 8 on the R&B chart. Disco/pop group A Taste of Honey also covered the song 20 years later, in 1982 peaking at number 41 on the Hot 100 and number 9 on the R&B chart.

Singer/actress Barbara McNair also recorded a version of “I’ll Try Something New” for Motown. Backed by Los Angeles-based area musicians and produced by Frank Wilson and Richard Morris, McNair’s version also included background vocals by The Andantes. The McNair cover is included on “The Ultimate Motown Collection,” which includes both of her released albums as well as the unreleased “Barbara Sings Smokey” album.