About The Song
“I Can’t Help Myself” is a 1965 song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label. Written and produced by Motown’s main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, “I Can’t Help Myself” is one of the most well-known Motown recordings of the 1960s and among the decade’s biggest hits. The single topped the Billboard’s R&B chart for nine weeks (being named the biggest R&B single of the year by Billboard) and also peaked at number one on the Hot 100 for two non-consecutive weeks, from June 12 to June 19 and from June 26 to July 3 in 1965.
Lamont Dozier told the story behind this song in a behind-the-scenes video for his 2018 Reimagination album: “I stayed with my grandmother when I was a kid. She owned her own home beauty shop, and when the women would come up the walkway to get their hair done, my grandfather would be pedaling around in the garden. He was a bit of a flirt, and would say, ‘How you doin’, sugar pie? Good morning, honey bunch.’ He was one of those types of guys. My grandmother had a big bay window to the front of the house. She’d say, ‘Look at that old codger – he thinks I don’t see. I know what he’s doing.’ He was just flirting with his big smile. I’m sitting there on the porch watching this – I’m probably 11 or 12. I was like a sponge, soaking it up.
Years later, at Motown, I’m sitting at the piano. I’d take these mind trips back to my childhood, and I’m trying to see what this piano part is telling me. Sure enough, there my grandfather is, pedaling in the garden. That memory comes to my mind’s eye, and I know where the song is supposed to go. I hear him saying, ‘Good morning, sugar pie. How you doin’, honey bunch?’ That’s what started it.”
Billboard ranked the record as the second biggest single of 1965. “I Can’t Help Myself” was the Four Tops’ first top 40 single in the UK, peaking at No. 23 at the end of 1965, then reaching No. 10 in its early 1970 re-release.
Video
Lyric
Ooh, sugar pie, honey bunch
You know that I love you
I Can’t Help Myself
I love you and nobody else
In and out my life (In and out my life)
You come and you go (You come and you go)
Leaving just your picture behind (Ooh)
And I’ve kissed it a thousand times (Ooh)
When you snap your finger or wink your eye
I come a-running to you
I’m tied to your apron strings
And there’s nothing that I can do, ooh
I Can’t Help Myself
No, I Can’t Help Myself
‘Cause sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
I’m weaker than a man should be
I can’t help myself
I’m a fool in love, you see
Wanna tell you I don’t love you
Tell you that we’re through, and I tried
But every time I see your face (Can’t help myself)
I get all choked up inside
When I call your name
Girl, it starts to flame (Burning in my heart, tearing it all apart)
No matter how I try
My love, I cannot hide
‘Cause sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I’m waiting for you (Waiting for you)
Can’t Help Myself
I love you and nobody else, ooh
Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
Do anything you ask me to (Ask me to)
Can’t Help Myself
I want you and nobody else, ooh
Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I love you (Love you)
Can’t Help Myself
No, I can’t help myself, ooh