About the song
“You Beat Me to the Punch” is a captivating soul single by the iconic Motown artist Mary Wells, released in 1962 under the Motown label. This track is a notable gem in Wells’ illustrious career, further cementing her place in the annals of classic soul music. Co-written by Smokey Robinson, a key figure in Wells’ career, and fellow Miracles member Ronnie White, the song showcases their exceptional songwriting prowess.
Following the tremendous success of her previous hit, “The One Who Really Loves You,” “You Beat Me to the Punch” was released with great anticipation. The track lived up to expectations, mirroring the success of its predecessor by achieving remarkable chart performance. It soared to number nine on the Billboard Pop Chart and claimed the top spot on the Billboard R&B singles chart, marking Wells’ first number one hit in this category. This success earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Rock and Roll Recording, further highlighting her impact on the music industry.
Musically, “You Beat Me to the Punch” continues the trend of Wells’ earlier work with its infectious mock-calypso beat, a signature element of her sound during this era. This rhythmic style not only contributed to the song’s commercial appeal but also inspired Gene Chandler to create a response track titled “You Threw A Lucky Punch.” Chandler’s song, which utilized the same musical backdrop but with different lyrics, also enjoyed success on the Pop and R&B charts that year.
The song features Mary Wells’ soulful lead vocals, supported by the background harmonies of the Love Tones—Carl Jones, Joe Miles, and Stan Bracely. The instrumental backdrop was provided by The Funk Brothers, the renowned Motown house band known for their distinctive sound. “You Beat Me to the Punch” was also featured in the film *Boulevard Nights*, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of the time.
In addition to its chart success and musical contributions, “You Beat Me to the Punch” holds a special place in the legacy of Motown’s rich musical history, representing the innovative spirit and artistic excellence of the early 1960s soul scene.
Video
Lyrics
That day
I first saw you passing by
I wanted
To know your name, but I was much too shy
But I was looking at you so hard
Until you must’ve had a hunch
So you came up to me and asked me my name
You beat me to the punch that time (you beat me to the punch)
You beat me to the punch, oh-oh-oh-oh (you beat me to the punch)
You beat me to the punch (you beat me to the punch)
Oh-oh-oh, after
I hadn’t known you for it seems like a long, long time
I wanted
Wanted to ask you, would you please, please be mine
Whenever you came around, my heart would pound
So you must have had a hunch
So you came up to me and asked me to be yours
You beat me to the punch one more time (you beat me to the punch)
You beat me to the punch, oh-oh-oh-oh (you beat me to the punch)
You beat me to the punch, yeah (you beat me to the punch)
Since I love you, I thought you would be true
And love me tender
So I let my heart surrender
To you, yes, I did
But I found out beyond a doubt
One day, boy, you were a playboy
Who would go away and leave me blue
So I ain’t gonna wait around for you to put me down
This time I’m gonna play my hunch
And walk away this very day
And beat you to the punch this time (I’ll beat you to the punch)
I’ll beat you to the punch, yes, I will (I’ll beat you to the punch)
Won’t let you, no, no (I’ll beat you to the punch)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh (I’ll beat you to the punch)
Oh-oh-oh-oh