About the Song
The Four Tops are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in 1965.
Formed in the early 1950s, the group originally consisted of Levi Stubbs (lead vocals), Abdul “Duke” Fakir (tenor), Renaldo “Obie” Benson (bass), and Lawrence Payton (baritone). The Four Tops signed with Motown Records in 1963, and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” was their second single for the label.
Written by the Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is a driving, up-tempo song with a catchy melody and lyrics that express the frustration of a young man who is unable to find satisfaction in anything. The song’s opening riff, played on guitar by James Jamerson, is one of the most recognizable in rock music.
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” was a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and the United Kingdom. It has been covered by countless artists, including Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and The Rolling Stones. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and is ranked number two on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The Four Tops continued to have success throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with hits such as “Reach Out I’ll Be There”, “I’ll Be There”, and “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got)”. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is a classic song that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful anthem of frustration and alienation that continues to resonate with listeners today.