EDDIE KENDRICKS : SHOE SHINE BOY [TAMLA MOTOWN - ESP 1975] 7”

Eddie Kendricks  "Shoe Shine Boy"  single 7"

(Tamla Motown)  1975  made in Spain

cat. num. SN-20.996

#soul  #funk

A knee-jerk reaction almost kept Eddie Kendricks' endearing "Shoeshine Boy" from the public. A record executive, who obviously had "issues," thought that the song was "demeaning" to black people. Motown founder Berry Gordy intervened, reminding the executive that all shoeshine boys aren't black. Written by Linda Allen and Harry Booker, who himself was once a shoeshine boy, "Shoeshine Boy"'s simple, encouraging message of doing the best you that you can do, no matter what you do, can be understood by just about anyone. The chugging mid-tempo groove gives the track an "enterprising" tone that reinforces the lyric. Kendricks was at first hesitate about recording the song until producer Frank Wilson convinced him of its merit. Produced by Wilson and Leonard Caston, "Shoeshine Boy" went to number one R&B and number 18 pop in spring 1975. It proved that the former Temptations member could have a hit outside of the realm of the usual romantic love song and up-tempo dance songs. His R&B/pop chart-toppers "Keep on Truckin'" and "Boogie Down" set the stage for the inspiring Norman Harris-produced "He's a Friend" which peaked at number two R&B in summer 1976.