One of Motown’s lesser-known groups, the 1964 song for the (at that time) all-girl trio, is my personal favourite.
Needle In A Haystack was co-written (with William ‘Mickey’ Stevenson) and produced by Norman Whitfield. It’s a catchy, upbeat tune.
The song is from a girl’s perspective, that basically says coming across a good man is like finding a needle in a haystack.
The Velvelettes’ time as a recording group was short and they never enjoyed great chart success. In fact Needle In A Haystack was their top USA track, peaking at 45.
They only made the UK charts once, with These Things Will Keep Me Loving you reaching 34 in 1966.
He Was Really Saying Something (with He dropped) made number 5 in the UK in 1982, courtesy of Bananarama and Fun Boy Three.