First single release by Nella Dodds (US #74 released October 1964).
Other hit versions by The Supremes (US #1/R&B #2/UK #27 released November 1964), Jr. Walker & The All Stars (US #24/R&B #8 1967), Shakin’ Stevens (UK #24 1987).
Also recorded by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels (1966).
From the wiki: “The Supremes’ recording of ‘Come See About Me’ was recorded on July 13, 1964 during the sessions that produced the album Where Did Our Love Go, released in August 1964. But, the release of the song as a promotional single was held up while the album’s first two singles, ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ and ‘Baby Love’, were released and charted.
“Techically a cover recording, 14-year old Nella Dodds’ Wand Records single would actually be the first released as a single, in October 1964. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 in early November, debuting at #87 the week of November 14, showing promise as a rising pop and R&B hit. Mowtown Records, not wanting to be outshone by another label with a song written by their songwriting dream team, Holland-Dozier-Holland, rushed released the Supremes’ ‘Come See About Me’ to radio and retail in November, 1964, quickly undercutting the early chart momentum of Dodd’s recording and using their marketing muscle to debut the Supreme’s single two weeks later at #13 on the Hot 100 chart the week of November 28.
“It’s possible that Dodds’ producer, Luther Dixon, a veteran producer (‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’) and songwriter (’16 Candles’), got a listen to the Supremes’ recording even ahead of its album release via a demo or test pressing and given its strong hit potential, he saw a window of opportunity to make a end run around Motown’s marketing plan by rushing Nella into the studio to record his production arrangement.
“For the Supremes, ‘Come See About Me’ became their third of five consecutively-released promotional singles to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. ‘Come See About Me’ topped the chart — twice — in non-consecutive weeks: the week of December 13, 1964 and, again, January 10, 1965. After its first week at #1 in December, the Supremes were toppled by the Beatles’ ‘I Feel Fine’. The following week, ‘Come See About Me’ again hit #1, toppling the Beatles.
“While The Supremes’ version remains iconic, Dodds’ recording of ‘Come See About Me’ is recognized retrospectively as a soulful interpretation, in some ways a precursor of the ‘Philly Sound’ that emerges a decade later. Over the years, collectors and fans of Northern Soul have rediscovered Dodds’ version, and have accorded it a celebrated place in the pop music history (in the similar way they celebrate Gloria Jones’ original ‘Tainted Love’ single).
“‘Come See About Me’ would be Dodds’ highest-charting single. She was scheduled to have an accompanying vinyl album released in the mid-60s, but it never materialized. This Is A Girl’s Life was to have been a compilation of Dodds’ twelve single releases between 1964-66, including ‘Come See About Me’, plus an additional three unreleased songs. The album was finally released (on CD) in 2007.”
The Supremes, “Come See About Me” (1964):
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, “Come See About Me” (1966):
Jr. Walker & The All Stars (1967):
Shakin’ Stevens, “Come See About Me” (1987):