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How Sweet It Is: A Songwriter's Reflections on Music, Motown and the Mystery of the Muse
As part of Motown's legendary songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, Lamont Dozier is responsible for such classics as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "You Can't Hurry Love," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Stop! In the Name of Love," "Heat Wave," "Baby Love," "It's the Same Old Song," "Nowhere to Run," "You Keep Me Hanging On," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," and many more. After leaving Motown, he continued to make his mark as an influential songwriter, artist, and producer with hits such as "Give Me Just a Little More Time," "Band of Gold," and "Two Hearts," a chart-topping Phil Collins single that earned the pair an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy win.
In How Sweet It Is Lamont takes us behind the scenes of the Motown machine, sharing personal stories of his encounters with such icons as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Berry Gordy. He reveals the moments that inspired some of his timeless songs—and pulls back the curtain on the studio secrets that helped him and his colleagues create "the sound of young America."
From his early years of struggle growing up in Detroit to the triumphs and tragedies that have marked his personal and professional path, at the center of Lamont's story is the heart of a true songwriter. Though he's racked up well over 100 Top 10 singles on the Billboard charts, been inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and has been named among Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time," Lamont continues to write music every day. Having pursued the mystery of the songwriting muse for many years, his stories are interwoven with invaluable insights and wisdom on the art and craft of songwriting that will inspire the creative spark in all of us.
In How Sweet It Is Lamont takes us behind the scenes of the Motown machine, sharing personal stories of his encounters with such icons as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Berry Gordy. He reveals the moments that inspired some of his timeless songs—and pulls back the curtain on the studio secrets that helped him and his colleagues create "the sound of young America."
From his early years of struggle growing up in Detroit to the triumphs and tragedies that have marked his personal and professional path, at the center of Lamont's story is the heart of a true songwriter. Though he's racked up well over 100 Top 10 singles on the Billboard charts, been inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and has been named among Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time," Lamont continues to write music every day. Having pursued the mystery of the songwriting muse for many years, his stories are interwoven with invaluable insights and wisdom on the art and craft of songwriting that will inspire the creative spark in all of us.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 12, 2020
Lamont Dozier, one of the greatest songwriters in pop music history, lets us in on the history of Motown Records and his valuable role in taking it to the top. His accounts of the music business are anecdotal without being gossipy, and How Sweet It Is never gets dull.
I was surprised to read that he started out as a janitor at Motown and some future stars on the label started out as secretaries in the office. How Sweet It Is also has lots of cool stories about your favorite soul legends, especially one-take Marvin Gaye. It's a little weird, though that he never mentions Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight or Junior Walker, but who knows why.
Interspersed with Mr. Dozier's recollections of the Golden Age of Soul are many pointers on songwriting, which I found pretty generous. I also enjoyed his rap about his love for the music of Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney. Dozier tells a great story about going to IHOP (the one across the street from Hollywood High) that you have to read to believe.
There's a little story about Dusty Springfield which I found very touching, and I have to confess there's a part that totally ruined my image of Smokey Robinson. Smokey, I'm disappointed.
I was surprised to read that he started out as a janitor at Motown and some future stars on the label started out as secretaries in the office. How Sweet It Is also has lots of cool stories about your favorite soul legends, especially one-take Marvin Gaye. It's a little weird, though that he never mentions Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight or Junior Walker, but who knows why.
Interspersed with Mr. Dozier's recollections of the Golden Age of Soul are many pointers on songwriting, which I found pretty generous. I also enjoyed his rap about his love for the music of Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney. Dozier tells a great story about going to IHOP (the one across the street from Hollywood High) that you have to read to believe.
There's a little story about Dusty Springfield which I found very touching, and I have to confess there's a part that totally ruined my image of Smokey Robinson. Smokey, I'm disappointed.
March 15, 2021
Until I read this book I had never heard of Lamont Dozier, although I certainly knew many of his songs. Most of his hits were first performed by The Supremes, eg., “Stop! In the name of love,” “Baby love,” “Reflections,” and “You keep me hanging on,” and The Four Tops, e.g. “Shake me, make me,” “Sugar time, Honey pie”.,and “Baby I need your loving” among hits for Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, Jr. Walker and the All Stars and The Miracles among others while he worked with the Holland brothers at Berry Gordy’s Motown records. The talent at Motown Gordy assembled, much of it from the Detroit area is amazing. Dozier attended high school with Aretha Franklin.
I found the way he accounts for his life fascinating. Dozier grew up in the Blackbottom area of Detroit, black people at the bottom of the social order, He returns to his old neighborhood to drink with his friends. They get drunk and turn on him, accusing Dozier indirectly of slumming. His friends, accuse him of rubbing it in that Dozier is a success while his friends aren’t successful. THe more drunk they get, the more abusive they get. He is lucky to get out of there in one piece. He experienced himself as alone, unsupported. Two other instances of how he understood himself are his relationship with his family and his schooling. His family showed him how not to be and a school teacher belittled him resulting in his walking out saying, “Fuck you as he walked out for the last time. To quote Paul Simon, “His lack of education never hurt him none.”
His positive educational experience happened while ha hung around with his aunt while she e cutsh women’s hair.He eavesdropped on their name. From this he theought he learned what women want men to say to them. These conversations, according to Dozier, he turned into lyrics.
Despite some tragedies Dozier reason” supports his
. Endured he maintained an optimist. The belief, “everything happens for reason” reassures him how life makes sense.
PThe book would have been a five star book if the author had provided more to identify the songs. You Tube performances helped me appreciate Dozierand particularly the Supremes arrangements of the songs they performed. The phrasing turned some banal words into treasures. I’d eecommend reading the book while listening to the songs as he discusses them.
I found the way he accounts for his life fascinating. Dozier grew up in the Blackbottom area of Detroit, black people at the bottom of the social order, He returns to his old neighborhood to drink with his friends. They get drunk and turn on him, accusing Dozier indirectly of slumming. His friends, accuse him of rubbing it in that Dozier is a success while his friends aren’t successful. THe more drunk they get, the more abusive they get. He is lucky to get out of there in one piece. He experienced himself as alone, unsupported. Two other instances of how he understood himself are his relationship with his family and his schooling. His family showed him how not to be and a school teacher belittled him resulting in his walking out saying, “Fuck you as he walked out for the last time. To quote Paul Simon, “His lack of education never hurt him none.”
His positive educational experience happened while ha hung around with his aunt while she e cutsh women’s hair.He eavesdropped on their name. From this he theought he learned what women want men to say to them. These conversations, according to Dozier, he turned into lyrics.
Despite some tragedies Dozier reason” supports his
. Endured he maintained an optimist. The belief, “everything happens for reason” reassures him how life makes sense.
PThe book would have been a five star book if the author had provided more to identify the songs. You Tube performances helped me appreciate Dozierand particularly the Supremes arrangements of the songs they performed. The phrasing turned some banal words into treasures. I’d eecommend reading the book while listening to the songs as he discusses them.
August 30, 2022
I enjoyed reading this autobiography. I love Motown music and he along with the Holland Brothers were major contributors to Motown's success. He was a gifted songwriter, producer and a great singer as well. I've read many autobiographies and biographies and you can just tell when it's written with honesty, the good and the bad. At the end, you should have a sense of who that person is. Otherwise, what's the point. It was detailed and well written. The day that I picked it up from my local library, I found out that he had just died two days prior. It made me kinda sad. I think that he was a good guy and someone that I would like to have known. I really enjoyed reading his story.
June 19, 2022
As a big fan of Motown it's great to have a more in depth knowledge of one of its legacy's major contributors. Lamont Dozier alongside the Holland brothers should be given their flowers for all their genius work in writing some of the most indelible songs of music history. This book gives you great insight into Mr. Dozier's life and inspirations. He's also kind enough to share his important songwriting tips! Great reading for anyone interested in true good music!
February 25, 2020
This man was part of Holland Dozier Holland who wrote I don't know how many hits. In the mid 60s, only John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote more hits. Lamont tells his story about growing up poor, to having international success, and stories about his songs, and his musical journey through life. He's a great storyteller, and this is definitely a great read for music fans.
May 20, 2020
Love this book!
Loved reading this book about one of the greatest songwriters of all time
IT was great reading about his process and all of his tips in each chapter.
Loved reading this book about one of the greatest songwriters of all time
IT was great reading about his process and all of his tips in each chapter.
October 19, 2022
An enjoyable read but nothing much in it I didn't already know. Probably for Motown fans only
April 24, 2024
A great look into the life of one of the all time outstanding songwriters. As you read through this well-written story, you have to shake your head in wonder at the songwriting genius of Lamont and his songwriting partners of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews