Reflections (The Supremes song)

This single, released at the height of the Summer of Love and long, hot summer of 1967 and the Vietnam War, was the first Supremes' release to delve into psychedelic pop; Holland–Dozier–Holland's production of the song, influenced by the psychedelic rock sounds of bands such as the Beatles and the Beach Boys, represented the beginning of a shift in Motown's sound towards psychedelia.^[2] Although it is sometimes cited as one of the first mainstream pop recordings to feature a Moog synthesizer, the electronic sounds on the track were generated with a test oscillator treated with tape echo. Motown did, however, eventually purchase a Moog III synthesizer in December 1967.^[3]

"Reflections" peaked on the charts in the late summer and early autumn of 1967. Making the highest debut on Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending August 12, the song reached number 2 in the week ending September 9, 1967. One place short of being the group's eleventh American number one, "Reflections" stalled at the penultimate position for two weeks behind Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe", which Diana Ross would cover for the Reflections album.^[4] "Reflections" also peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

Cash Box said that "electronic effects are put to much use on this new outing from the Detroit mill, and the feedback play adds a cute appeal to the steady throbbing blues lament for an old love."^[6]

The first nationally televised performance to feature Florence Ballard's replacement, Cindy Birdsong, as a member of the Supremes (now billed as "Diana Ross & the Supremes") was on an episode of the ABC variety show The Hollywood Palace first broadcast on September 26, 1967.^[7]

A 2003 remix of the song, running 3:16, features a cold closing as originally recorded instead of a fade-out.

"Reflections" was used as the theme song for the television series China Beach from 1988 to 1991.^[8] It was also sampled in "Uh Huh Oh Yeh," the opening track on Paul Weller's 1992 eponymous debut solo album.

• 7-inch single (July 24, 1967) (North America/United Kingdom)

1. "Reflections" – 2:50
2. "Going Down for the Third Time" – 2:30

• Lead vocals by Diana Ross
• Backing vocals by Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard^[9]
• Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers:
  • Earl Van Dyke – Wurlitzer electronic piano, Hammond organ, test oscillator^[3]
  • James Jamerson – bass guitar
  • Richard "Pistol" Allen – drums
  • Joe Messina – electric guitar
  • Jack Ashford – percussion

A 1985 version by American singer Evelyn Thomas reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.^[34]

Luther Vandross included the song on his 1994 all-covers album Songs, which samples the original version's "beeping" intro.

• 1967 in music
• List of songs written by Holland, Dozier and Holland