I’ve had this 45 for years decades, and had never given it a second glance. At some point I’m sure I listened to it, but of all the Motown groups, the Supremes aren’t a particular fave, so I’d given it a pass. That is, until this past weekend. HOLY MOLY! What a JAM!
“Bill” is a story song, sang from the viewpoint of a forlorn young woman who’s boyfriend had gone off to the meat-grinder of a “conflict” in Vietnam. She knows the odds are against him coming home alive, so when she’s told that some soldiers have arrived without advanced notice, she rushes to the train station and finds not her man, but tears. Man, I hope Bill eventually made it home intact and alive. The single/mono mix really drives this track; the LP version, a stereo mix and perhaps a different take, falls limp compared to the single.
After playing “Bill” repeatedly, and knowing it was NOT Diana Ross singing, I dug into the back story. The song was co-written by Johnny Bristol (with Pam Sawyer), a not-so-wellknown staff writer/producer for Motown. I’d reckon his best known track is (maybe) Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “Daddy Could Swear, I Declare.” Anyways, “Bill” was the B-side of the first Supremes 45 WITHOUT Diana Ross, “Up The Ladder To The Roof.” Ross had officially gone solo and was replaced by the trio’s new lead, Ms. Jean Terrell. Now I need to dig out ALL the post-Ross Supremes jams knowing I might’a missed ANOTHER killer (“Stoned Love” notwithstanding).