In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)

Music by Valerie Simpson and Nickolas Ashford

Originally Performed by Diana Ross

"Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" is the debut solo single of singer Diana Ross, released in April 1970. Ross, having just left The Supremes after a decade of serving as that group's lead singer, went through a difficult situation trying to piece a solo album together. With Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson writing and producing for her, and Paul Riser arranging, Ross recorded "Reach Out and Touch", which carried a heavy gospel influence, and was one of the few songs the singer recorded to express her social conscience, previously experimented with Supremes singles such as "Love Child" and "I'm Livin' in Shame".

"Reach Out and Touch" peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 10 on the Cash Box Top 100,[4] and number 7 on the R&B charts with 500,000 copies sold. It was also a hit in the United Kingdom, making number 33 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1970. While the song's initial success fell short of expectations, "Reach Out and Touch" became one of Ross' most popular and notable songs. During her concert performances of the song, Ross often had the whole crowd turn to their neighbors, and "reach out and touch" their hands.

Release Date: 1969

Various Artists : Motown: The Musical

Motown the Musical is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever. This exhilarating show charts Motown founder Berry Gordy's incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more. Our folio features 27 favorite Motown classics as well as two new songs written for the show:

Songlist: ABC, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Get Ready, Ain't Too Proud To Beg, War, Do You Love Me, The Love You Save, You're All I Need To Get By, I Want You Back, Happy Birthday, Baby I Need Your Lovin', Dancing In The Street, Can I Close The Door (On Love), Hey Joe (Black Like Me), I Can't Get Next To You, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), I Heard It Through The Grapevine, I'm Losing You (I Know), My Girl, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, Please Mr. Postman, Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand), Reach Out, I'll Be There, Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours, Stop! In The Name Of Love, What's Going On, Where Did Our Love Go, You've Really Got A Hold On Me

Individual Folios

Displaying 1-1 of 1 items.

Mac Huff : Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)

A hit for Diana Ross in 1970, this gospel-flavored SSA setting makes an excellent concert closer. Available: SSA, ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 3:20.

Arranger: Mac Huff Performed By: Diana Ross