The Contours

The Contours

8561 fans

Detroit, Michigan-based R&B vocal group The Contours was formed in 1959. Founded by Joe Billingslea and Billy Gordon, the group – originally calling themselves The Blenders – also featured Billy Hoggs, Leroy Fair, and Hubert Johnson. Once the line-up was complete, they changed their name to The Contours and auditioned for Motown Records in 1960. After failing that initial audition, they contacted Johnson’s cousin Jackie Wilson, who was able to get them a second audition, and they signed a seven year contract with Motown. After the release of two unsuccessful singles in 1961 – “Whole Lotta Woman” and “The Stretch” – The Contours scored a massive hit with “Do You Love Me,” a song that was given to them by Motown founder Berry Gordy himself. The single reached number 1 on Billboard’s R&B /Soul Singles chart and number 3 on the Hot 100. While the group had seven more Top 100 hits – including “Shake Sherry” (1962), “Can You Jerk Like Me” (1964), and “It’s Hard Being a Loser” (1967) – they never reached the Top 40 again. Line-up changes continued over the years and The Contours’ album output was minimal, with one album from 1964 remaining unreleased. The group split up in 1968 but in 1971, they got back together, and several different versions of the band’s line-up has remained active ever since. Thanks to being featured in the hit movie Dirty Dancing, “Do You Love Me” became a hit yet again in 1988, climbing to number 11 on the Hot 100. Joe Billingslea, the longest-standing member of the original line-up, retired in November 2022.

Top tracks

02
Shake Sherrie (Single Version / Mono)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:43
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
12
First I Look At The Purse
The Contours
The Very Best Of
03:05
Writer: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr. / Composers: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr.
03
You Better Get In Line
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:55
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
01
Whole Lotta Woman
The Contours
Whole Lotta Woman / Regional Version
02:49
Writer: Gordy / Composers: Gordy
02
Shake Sherry
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:43
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
04
Just A Little Misunderstanding (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:43
Writer: Stevie Wonder - Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax / Composers: Stevie Wonder - Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax
03
First I Look At The Purse (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
03:05
Writer: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr. / Composers: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr.
05
Do You Love Me (With Interviews)
The Contours
The Motown Story: The Sixties
03:22
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
08
Cry To Me (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
The Contours
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
03:32
Writer: Bert Russell / Composers: Bert Russell
09
Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy
The Contours
A Cellarful Of Motown! (Vol. 2)
02:29
Writer: William Weatherspoon - Debbie Dean - Marilyn McLeod - Carole Holland / Composers: William Weatherspoon - Debbie Dean - Marilyn McLeod - Carole Holland
06
Whole Lotta Woman (National Single Version)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:55
Composers: Billy Gordon - Billy Hoggs - Smokey Robinson
05
Can You Do It (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:20
Writer: Richard Allen Street - Thelma Gordy / Composers: Richard Allen Street - Thelma Gordy
09
The Tracks of My Tears
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
03:46
02
You Don't Love Nobody But You
The Contours
Motown Unreleased 1962: Guys, Vol. 1
02:42
Composers: Andre Williams - George Gordy - Fred Walker
10
Can You Jerk Like Me
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:30
Writer: William Mickey Stevenson - Ivy Joe Hunter / Composers: William Mickey Stevenson - Ivy Joe Hunter
09
Don't Let Her Be Your Baby (Single Version)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 3: 1963
02:55
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
10
It Must Be Love (Single Version)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 3: 1963
02:28
Writer: Sylvester Potts - Joseph Billingslea - Joseph Billingsea / Composers: Sylvester Potts - Joseph Billingslea - Joseph Billingsea
18
You Better Get In Line
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 2: 1962
02:55
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
13
Just A Little Misunderstanding
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:43
Writer: Stevie Wonder - Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax / Composers: Stevie Wonder - Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax
09
Can You Do It
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:20
Writer: Richard Allen Street - Thelma Gordy / Composers: Richard Allen Street - Thelma Gordy
04
Funny (Single Version)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 1: 1959-1961
02:58
Writer: Billy Gordon - William Mickey Stevenson / Composers: Billy Gordon - William Mickey Stevenson
19
Move Mr. Man (Mono Single)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 2: 1962
02:14
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. - Rebecca Nichols / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr. - Rebecca Nichols
17
Shake Sherrie (Single Version / Mono)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 2: 1962
02:43
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
13
Pa, I Need A Car (Single Version)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 3: 1963
02:25
Writer: Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Freddie Gorman / Composers: Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Freddie Gorman
11
Move Mr. Man (Mono Single)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:14
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr. - Rebecca Nichols
03
The Stretch (Single Version)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 1: 1959-1961
02:41
Writer: William Mickey Stevenson - Loucye Wakefield - Ron Wakefield / Composers: William Mickey Stevenson - Loucye Wakefield - Ron Wakefield
12
Come On And Be Mine (Single Version)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 1: 1959-1961
02:40
Writer: Billy Hoggs - Joe Billingslea / Composers: Billy Hoggs - Joe Billingslea
14
You Get Ugly (Single Version)
The Contours
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 3: 1963
02:20
Writer: Ray Singleton - Michael Ossman / Composers: Ray Singleton - Michael Ossman
02
First I Look At The Purse
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
03:05
Composers: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr.
26
When A Man Loves A Woman
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
03:48
Composers: Andrew Wright - Calvin Houston Lewis
01
Do You Love Me (Live)
The Contours
The Contours - In Concert at Little Darlin's Rock 'n' Roll Palace (Live)
02:13
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr

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  • Discography
Albums
Love and Soul
2024 Beth Montana
16-08-2024
Love and Soul
01
Shake Sherry
The Contours
Love and Soul
02:39
Writer: Berry Gordy / Composers: Berry Gordy
02
You Better Get in Line
The Contours
Love and Soul
02:55
Writer: Berry Gordy / Composers: Berry Gordy
03
Do You Love Me
The Contours
Love and Soul
02:54
Writer: Berry Gordy / Composers: Berry Gordy
04
Move, Mr. Man
The Contours
Love and Soul
02:14
Writer: Berry Gordy / Composers: Berry Gordy
05
Pa I Need a Car
The Contours
Love and Soul
02:24
Writer: Holland/Dozier/Gorman / Composers: Holland/Dozier/Gorman
06
You Get Ugly
The Contours
Love and Soul
02:23
Writer: R. Gordy/M. Ossman / Composers: R. Gordy/M. Ossman
07
Don't Let Her Be Your Baby
The Contours
Love and Soul
02:52
Writer: Berry Gordy / Composers: Berry Gordy
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
This Compilation ℗ 2014 UMG Recordings, Inc.
15-07-2014
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
01
Just A Little Misunderstanding
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
02:43
Composers: Stevie Wonder - Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax
02
First I Look At The Purse
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
03:05
Composers: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr.
03
It's Growing
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
02:40
Composers: William Robinson - Warren Moore
04
Baby Hit And Run
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
03:02
Composers: James Dean - William Weatherspoon
05
It's So Hard Being A Loser
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
02:38
Composers: William Weatherspoon - James Dean - Stanley Levon McMullen
06
Determination
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
02:38
Composers: William Robinson, Jr. - Smokey Robinson
07
A Weak Spot In My Heart
The Contours
Motown Rarities 1965-1968
02:37
Composers: Morris Broadnax - Clarence Paul
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
The Sounds of the Contours
18-11-2012
The Sounds of the Contours
01
Face Up to the Fact
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
04:19
02
Gonna Win You Back
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
03:17
03
Heaven Sent
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
04:20
04
First I Look At the Purse
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
03:35
05
Running in Circles
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
03:57
06
When It Rains It Pours
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
04:27
07
Spread the News Around
The Contours
The Sounds of the Contours
04:12
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Under Love's Control
19-06-2007
Under Love's Control
01
One Day Too Late
The Contours
Under Love's Control
04:49
02
Look Out For The Stop Sign
The Contours
Under Love's Control
04:39
03
Under Love's Control
The Contours
Under Love's Control
04:25
04
Flashback
The Contours
Under Love's Control
04:44
05
Rise Above It
The Contours
Under Love's Control
04:06
06
Gonna Win You Back
The Contours
Under Love's Control
03:17
07
Spread The News Around
The Contours
Under Love's Control
04:12
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
25-06-2006
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
01
This Old Heart Of Mine - Live
The Contours
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
04:57
02
Shake Sherry - Live
The Contours
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
03:01
03
Running In Circles - Live
The Contours
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
07:36
04
You've Lost That Loving Feeling - Live
The Contours
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
06:13
05
Do You Love Me - Live
The Contours
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
08:49
06
Can You Jerk Like Me - Live
The Contours
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
06:19
07
Just A Little Misunderstanding - Live
The Contours
The Contours' In The Still Of The Night
04:01
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
This Compilation ℗ 2003 Universal Motown Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-2003
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
01
Do You Love Me (Mono Single)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:53
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
02
Shake Sherrie (Single Version / Mono)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:43
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
03
First I Look At The Purse (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
03:05
Writer: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr. / Composers: Robert Rogers - William Robinson, Jr.
04
Just A Little Misunderstanding (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:43
Writer: Stevie Wonder - Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax / Composers: Stevie Wonder - Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax
05
Can You Do It (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:20
Writer: Richard Allen Street - Thelma Gordy / Composers: Richard Allen Street - Thelma Gordy
06
Can You Jerk Like Me (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:30
Writer: William Mickey Stevenson - Ivy Joe Hunter / Composers: William Mickey Stevenson - Ivy Joe Hunter
07
It's So Hard Being A Loser (Single Version)
The Contours
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Contours
02:38
Writer: William Weatherspoon - James Dean - Stanley Levon McMullen / Composers: William Weatherspoon - James Dean - Stanley Levon McMullen
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
A New Direction
25-04-2000
A New Direction
01
Prelude (A New Direction)
The Contours
A New Direction
01:27
02
New Love
The Contours
A New Direction
07:00
03
Sex Me Up
The Contours
A New Direction
04:51
04
Grown Up
The Contours
A New Direction
08:17
05
I Need Your Love Tonight
The Contours
A New Direction
06:22
06
Days of Wine and Roses
The Contours
A New Direction
05:06
07
Makin' Up
The Contours
A New Direction
05:47
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
The Very Best Of The Contours
23-05-1999
The Very Best Of The Contours
01
Flashback
The Contours
The Very Best Of The Contours
04:44
02
Running In Circles
The Contours
The Very Best Of The Contours
04:00
03
Look Out For The Stop Sign
The Contours
The Very Best Of The Contours
04:40
04
Tracks Of My Tears
The Contours
The Very Best Of The Contours
03:45
05
Heaven Sent
The Contours
The Very Best Of The Contours
04:20
06
Blinded My The Light
The Contours
The Very Best Of The Contours
03:12
07
This Old Heart Of Mine
The Contours
The Very Best Of The Contours
03:04
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
The Very Best Of
This Compilation ℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
23-03-1999
The Very Best Of
01
Do You Love Me
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:52
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
02
Shake Sherry
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:43
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
03
Whole Lotta Woman
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:55
Writer: Billy Gordon - Billy Hoggs - Smokey Robinson / Composers: Billy Gordon - Billy Hoggs - Smokey Robinson
04
Don't Let Her Be Your Baby
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:55
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
05
It Must Be Love
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:28
Writer: Sylvester Potts - Joseph Billingslea - Joseph Billingsea / Composers: Sylvester Potts - Joseph Billingslea - Joseph Billingsea
06
Funny
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:58
Writer: Billy Gordon - William Mickey Stevenson / Composers: Billy Gordon - William Mickey Stevenson
07
You Get Ugly
The Contours
The Very Best Of
02:20
Writer: Ray Singleton - Michael Ossman / Composers: Ray Singleton - Michael Ossman
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
℗ 1962 UMG Recordings, Inc.
17-10-1962
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
01
Do You Love Me (Mono Single)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:53
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
02
Shake Sherrie (Single Version / Mono)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:43
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
03
You Better Get In Line
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:55
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
04
The Stretch (Single Version)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:41
Composers: William Mickey Stevenson - Loucye Wakefield - Ron Wakefield
05
It Must Be Love (Single Version)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:28
Composers: Sylvester Potts - Joseph Billingslea - Joseph Billingsea
06
Whole Lotta Woman (National Single Version)
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:55
Composers: Billy Gordon - Billy Hoggs - Smokey Robinson
07
Claudia
The Contours
Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
02:32
Composers: Andre Williams - Clarence Paul - Ivy Joe Hunter
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Singles
Whole Lotta Woman / Regional Version
2014 Jukebox Jam
16-06-2014
Whole Lotta Woman / Regional Version
01
Whole Lotta Woman
The Contours
Whole Lotta Woman / Regional Version
02:49
Writer: Gordy / Composers: Gordy
02
Regional Version
The Contours
Whole Lotta Woman / Regional Version
02:54
Writer: Hoggs / Composers: Hoggs
The Contours - In Concert at Little Darlin's Rock 'n' Roll Palace (Live)
2021 Good Time Records
30-01-1986
The Contours - In Concert at Little Darlin's Rock 'n' Roll Palace (Live)
01
Do You Love Me (Live)
The Contours
The Contours - In Concert at Little Darlin's Rock 'n' Roll Palace (Live)
02:13
Composers: Berry Gordy Jr
02
Just A Little Misunderstanding (Live)
The Contours
The Contours - In Concert at Little Darlin's Rock 'n' Roll Palace (Live)
03:31
Composers: Clarence Paul - Morris Broadnax - Stevie Wonder
Featured in
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
(P) 1989 Vestron Pictures Inc.
01-01-1989
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
01
Yes (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
Merry Clayton
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
04:48
Writer: T. Graf - N. Cavanaugh - T. Fryer / Composers: T. Graf - N. Cavanaugh - T. Fryer
02
Overload (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
Merry Clayton
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
03:56
Writer: M. Luciani - A. Zappacosta / Composers: M. Luciani - A. Zappacosta
03
Steamroller Blues (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
Merry Clayton
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
04:55
Writer: James Taylor / Composers: James Taylor
04
Make Me Lose Control (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
Eric Carmen
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
06:01
Writer: Eric Carmen - D. Pitchford / Composers: Eric Carmen - D. Pitchford
05
Almost Paradise (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
Eric Carmen
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
04:30
Writer: Eric Carmen - D. Pitchford / Composers: Eric Carmen - D. Pitchford
06
Hungry Eyes (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
Eric Carmen
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
04:56
Writer: J. DeNicola - F. Previte / Composers: J. DeNicola - F. Previte
07
Get Ready/Higher And Higher (Live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - August 1988)
The Contours
Dirty Dancing - Live In Concert
04:19
Writer: William Robinson - G. Jackson - R. Minor - C. Smith / Composers: William Robinson - G. Jackson - R. Minor - C. Smith
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Motown Classics Gold
This Compilation ℗ 2005 UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-03-2005
Motown Classics Gold
01
Money (That's What I Want) (Single Version / Mono)
Barrett Strong
Motown Classics Gold
02:37
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. - Janie Bradford / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr. - Janie Bradford
02
Shop Around
The Miracles
Motown Classics Gold
02:45
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. - Smokey Robinson / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr. - Smokey Robinson
03
Please Mr. Postman (Single Version / Mono)
The Marvelettes
Motown Classics Gold
02:29
Writer: Brian Holland - Robert Bateman - Georgia Dobbins - William Garrett - Freddie Gorman / Composers: Brian Holland - Robert Bateman - Georgia Dobbins - William Garrett - Freddie Gorman
04
Do You Love Me (Mono Single)
The Contours
Motown Classics Gold
02:53
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
05
You Beat Me To The Punch (Single Version / Mono)
Mary Wells
Motown Classics Gold
02:40
Writer: Ronald White - Smokey Robinson / Composers: Ronald White - Smokey Robinson
06
Fingertips (Pt. 2 / Live At The Regal Theater, 1963)
Stevie Wonder
Motown Classics Gold
03:11
Writer: Clarence Paul - Henry Cosby / Composers: Clarence Paul - Henry Cosby
07
(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave (Single Version)
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Motown Classics Gold
02:45
Writer: Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland / Composers: Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland
Access the complete album info (40 songs)
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
This Compilation ℗ 2019 UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-2008
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
01
Shop Around
The Miracles
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
02:45
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. - Smokey Robinson / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr. - Smokey Robinson
02
Please Mr. Postman
The Marvelettes
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
02:23
Writer: Brian Holland - Robert Bateman - Georgia Dobbins - William Garrett - Freddie Gorman / Composers: Brian Holland - Robert Bateman - Georgia Dobbins - William Garrett - Freddie Gorman
03
Do You Love Me
The Contours
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
02:53
Writer: Berry Gordy Jr. / Composers: Berry Gordy Jr.
04
You Beat Me To The Punch
Mary Wells
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
02:51
Writer: Ronald White - Smokey Robinson / Composers: Ronald White - Smokey Robinson
05
Two Lovers
Mary Wells
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
02:45
Writer: Smokey Robinson / Composers: Smokey Robinson
06
You've Really Got A Hold On Me
The Miracles
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
03:12
Writer: Smokey Robinson / Composers: Smokey Robinson
07
Fingertips, Pt. 2
Stevie Wonder
Motown: The Complete No. 1's
03:11
Writer: Clarence Paul - Henry Cosby / Composers: Clarence Paul - Henry Cosby
Access the complete album info (208 songs)