I Had to Fall in Love

I Had to Fall in Love
Studio album by Jean Terrell
Released	1978
Recorded	1978
Studio	Total Experience Recording Studios (Hollywood, California)
Genre	Soul
Length	34:01
Label	A&M
Producer	Bobby Martin

Professional ratings

Review scores
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AllMusic

I Had to Fall in Love was the 1978 debut (and thus far only) solo album released by former Supremes lead singer Jean Terrell, on the A&M label. The album was completed five years after she left the Supremes. Shortly after its release, promotion was stopped completely because of Terrell's religious beliefs that prevented her from promoting the album in a way that she did not favor. In 2006, an independent label re-released the album in CD format. The title track is also available on the Motown compilation CD The Supremes: Greatest Hits and Rare Classics, 70's.

Terrell took her time in getting her solo career off the ground after leaving the Supremes and Motown in 1973. She was given offers by such luminaries as Richard Perry but declined as she gave birth to two sons during her marriage to Juan Thompson. She did occasional backing vocals for other artists and eventually entrusted Philly producer Bobby Martin to establish her as a R&B soloist.

After recording several demos that Martin shopped around, Jean liked the offer made by Herb Alpert of A&M Records. Alpert was trying to establish his label's R&B output. After signing with A&M, Terrell and Martin completed the lp I Had To Fall In Love and the label issued it in early 1978 along with an elaborate promotional plan. Terrell would go on a press junket from coast to coast and then open for their hit soul act LTD on an extended tour. Terrell cut the promotional tour short, returning home to her family and informed her new label that she would not be available for long tours because of her Jehovah Witness activities and devotion to her family. Two singles were issued and the label dropped her...thus ending any hopes Jean Terrell may have had for a solo career.

She toured with former Supremes Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne as the Former Ladies of The Supremes in 1980s and early 90s and later did occasional solo dates in L.A. and the east coast. Her last performance was in 2008 after which she retired from show business and severed ties to her hit-making past.

Track listing

1. "Don't Stop Reaching for the Top" (Jimmie Davis, Jeffrey Osborne) - (4:13)
2. "No One Like My Baby" (Fred Bliffert) - (3:45)
3. "Rising Cost of Love" (Bobby Martin, Len Ron Hanks, Zane Grey) - (3:34)
4. "Change Up" (Len Ron Hanks, Zane Grey) - (5:00)
5. "How Can You Live (Without Love)" (Len Ron Hanks, Zane Grey) - (3:21)
6. "I Had to Fall in Love" (Benny Gallagher, Graham Lyle) - (4:16)
7. "That's the Way Love Grows" (Frank McDonald, Chris Rae, Gerry Shury, Ron Roker) - (3:30)
8. "You've Been So Good for Me" (Len Ron Hanks, Zane Grey) - (4:23)
9. "No Limit" (Len Ron Hanks, Zane Grey) - (3:19)

Personnel

Adapted from liner notes.

Singers

• Jean Terrell – lead vocals
• Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields, Clydie King, Lynda Laurence – backing vocals

Musicians

• Scotty Harris, Melvin Webb, James Gadson – drums
• Danny Whatley, Harry E. Davis, Tony Newton – bass guitar
• Benorce Blackman, Paul Flaherty, Melvin "Wah Wah" Watson, Johnny McGhee – guitar
• Leo Ron Hanks – keyboards, acoustic piano
• Jimmie Davis, Billy Osborne – keyboards
• Jeffrey Osborne, Eddie "Bongo" Brown – percussion
• Sylvester Rivers – piano, Fender Rhodes
• Fred Jackson – alto saxophone

Production credits

• Produced by Bobby Martin for Bobby Martin Productions
• Recorded and Mixed at Total Experience Recording Studios, Hollywood
• Douglas Greaves – engineering
• Norman Seeff – photography