Walk with me
The song “Still Waters Run Deep” was released in 1970 and was written and produced by the legendary songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. It was recorded by the Four Tops, one of the most successful Motown groups of all time. The song is a soulful and romantic ballad that speaks to the power of true love, and it showcases the smooth harmonies and vocal prowess of the Four Tops.
For the Four Tops, this song was part of a new era in their career. The group had already enjoyed a string of hits in the 1960s, including “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” but by the end of the decade, they were struggling to maintain their popularity. “Still Waters Run Deep” was one of the first singles the group recorded after leaving Motown and signing with ABC-Dunhill Records, and it helped to revitalize their career.
The song’s title comes from an old proverb, “still waters run deep,” which means that quiet or unassuming people often have hidden depths of emotion or thought. This theme is reflected in the lyrics, which describe the intense feelings of love that can exist beneath the surface of a seemingly calm and uneventful relationship. The song’s mellow tone and smooth harmonies perfectly capture the emotion and passion of the lyrics.
“Still Waters Run Deep” was released during a time of great social and political change in the United States. The 1960s had been a time of unrest and protest, with civil rights and anti-war movements dominating the headlines. By the 1970s, the country was beginning to move on from these issues, but the echoes of that tumultuous decade were still being felt. The song’s romantic lyrics and soothing melody offered a welcome respite from the chaos of the era, and it remains a classic example of the timeless power of soul music.