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Four Tops song pushed singer Stubbs to the limit

The Four Tops
The Four Tops perform on the British television program "Ready Steady Go" on Nov. 17, 1966. Left to right: Levi Stubbs, Renaldo Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton, Duke Fakir.
BIPS | Getty Images 1966

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Today's Morning Edition music is from 50 years ago when "Reach Out I'll Be There" by the Four Tops was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart.

Four Tops singer Duke Fakir remembers that when they were recording the song, producer Eddie Holland encouraged lead singer Levi Stubbs to stretch the limits of his voice: "Eddie realized that when Levi hit the top of his vocal range, it sounded like someone hurting, so he made him sing right up there. Levi complained, but we knew he loved it. Every time they thought he was at the top, he would reach a little further until you could hear the tears in his voice."