First recorded (as “Ready or Not”) by Sam the Sham & The Pharoahs (1966).
Hit version by Jay & the Techniques (US #6/R&B #8/CAN #61 1967).
From the wiki: “Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs released a non-single version entitled ‘Ready or Not’, written by Maurice Irby, Jr., on their 1966 The Best of Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (MGM SE-4422). ‘Ready or Not’ was then retitled ‘Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie’ when recorded by Jay & the Techniques in 1967.
“Bobby Hebb (‘Sunny‘) was originally offered ‘Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie’, but rejected the song due to its ‘novelty sound’. After Hebb declined, record producer Jerry Ross offered the song to Jay & the Techniques.
“Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson provided background vocals, accompanying the lead singer Jay Proctor; Ross used session musicians for the instrumental backing in place of the Techniques. This process would continue for all of the band’s singles recorded after this.
“Released as a single in May of that year, ‘Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie’ would chart Top-10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and go on to become the title track for the group’s 1968 album Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie.”
Jay & The Techniques, “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” (1967):
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