There’s something about the summer heat that makes me want to hear some sweet soul music. I also feel like playing compare and contrast by posting an original soul version followed by a rock and roll variation. Today, we’ll start with the Holland-Dozier-Holland tune Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While.) It was recorded by several soul artists before being turned into a monster hit by the Doobie Brothers who really rocked it Motown style.

Here’s the second HDH produced version from 1965 with Kim Weston on lead vox:

Here’s the fine band with one of the stupidest names in musical history. They killed this tune with Tom Johnston on lead vocals back in 1975:

Finally, a live Doobie Brothers version from 1981 with Michael McDonald on keyboards and lead vocals: