The Contours, Do You Love Me | Throwback Vibez

In the 11^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we reflect on “Do You Love Me” by the Motown group, The Contours.  

Can you feel those vibes, those surefire Throwback Vibez?! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. Ah, there is nothing like a good oldie to get you fired up! The records featured in this column feature gems from the 20^th century, with a few exceptions. All genres of music are welcome. In the 11^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we recollect and reflect on “Do You Love Me” performed by The Contours.

Ah, The Contours, comprised of Billy Gordon, Billy Hoggs, Joe Billingslea, Sylvester Potts, and Hubert Johnson, recorded a big-time song with “Do You Love Me”. “Do You Love Me” is the opening track from the group’s 1962 album, Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance). It is considered to be one of the truly epic hits from Motown.  Interestingly, Motown founder Berry Gordy (b. 1929) penned and produced the song himself.  Supposedly intended for The Temptations, it was released by the collective on Gordy’s Gordy label.  “Do You Love Me” reached number three on the pop charts.  On the R&B side of things, unsurprisingly, it reached number one.  Fun fact: it re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988 as part of the More Dirty Dancing soundtrack.  It didn’t match its number three peak, but hitting number 11, 26 years after the song was released, is nothing short of awesome!

“Do You Love Me” commences with a distinct, playful spoken-word introduction, accompanied by instrumental: “You broke my heart / ‘Cause I couldn’t dance / You didn’t even want me around / And now I’m back to let you know / I can really shake ‘em down.” After the intro sets the tone, the dynamic, gritty lead vocals of Billy Gordon take over.  “Do You Love Me” makes fabulous use of call and response form, with the background vocals from The Contours responding to Gordon’s powerful lead like champs (“Do you love me? / (I can really move) / Do you love me? (I’m in the groove)”.  The focus of “Do You Love Me” is dancing.  There are references to the popular dances of the era, the 1960s, including the  Mashed Potato and The Twist.  Other fun moments include the crescendo of the lyrics, “Tell me (tell me),” as well as the infectious, unforgettable chorus.  Beyond the lyrics, the music shines. The group is accompanied by a tight rhythm section that holds down the groove like champs.  A once-in-a-lifetime song, the six-decade-plus-old “Do You Love Me” is a prime example of an enduring music bop.  Did The Contours do their big one on this one? You bet they did!

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The Contours » Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) » Motown / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1962

The Contours, Do You Love Me: Throwback Vibez No. 11 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown / UMG Recordings, Inc.; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson, schubinger from Pixabay]

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