Source Material: Syreeta – “Just A Little Piece Of You”
Syreeta was a singer-songwriter whose career spanned three decades at Motown. In 1965, Syreeta started at the label as a receptionist. One year later, she became the secretary for William “Mickey” Stevenson (the head of Motown’s A&R department in the ’60s and the man responsible for establishing Motown’s studio band). The following year, Edward Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland) heard her sing, and began utilizing her for demos for The Supremes. In 1968, Syreeta released her first solo single, “I Can’t Give Back the Love I Feel for You.” However, the song was originally written for The Supremes (and they recorded it later that year). Diana Ross (the lead singer of The Supremes) also re-recorded the song for her album Surrender (1971). As Syreeta continued to sing background vocals for The Supremes and Martha and the Vandellas, she met Stevie Wonder. By 1969, the two were dating and Wonder had advised Syreeta to become a songwriter.
Syreeta and Stevie Wonder became a great team. The first song they made together was The Spinners hit, “It’s A Shame” (1970). In 1970, the tandem co-wrote Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours.” Syreeta provided background vocals and the two got married. In 1971, the couple wrote and arranged Stevie Wonder’s last album for Motown (as a minor), Where I’m Coming From. At 21, Wonder allowed his Motown contract to expire and began recording music independently with Syreeta. When Wonder returned to Motown in 1972, he negotiated for more creative control, a much friendlier contract, and he procured an opportunity to produce Syreeta’s debut album, Syreeta. Prior to the recording of this album, the couple divorced, but the two continued to make music.
“Just A Little Pice Of You” is a deep cut off of Syreeta’s second album, Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta (1974). I think this is one of Syreeta’s stronger and lesser-known songs. It’s a song that speaks to the complexity and the depth of her relationship with Wonder. “Your Kiss Is Sweet” was more of a commercial hit and also a standout collaborative effort from the two. Syreeta’s third album One to One (1977), was the first project where Wonder didn’t handle most of the production. Instead, Syreeta worked largely with Leon Ware, producing songs like “I Too Am Wanting” and “Rest Yourself.” After the moderate success of this album, Syreeta pivoted to recording duets with G.C. Cameron that same year. In 1979, Syreeta recorded her first collaboration featuring Billy Preston, “With You I’m Born Again,” which forged a successful path for her career in the ’80s. And although her career spanned three decades, I get the feeling that Syreeta should have been a much bigger solo artist. At almost every turn in her career, her contributions for others outweighed the reception of her own work.
Syreeta – “Just A Little Piece Of You”
