On the song, backed by a boogie woogie-styled piano riff played by Funk Brothers pianist Earl Van Dyke, Gaye performs the song in a gospel harmony with members of The Supremes and Holland-Dozier-Holland backing him up on background vocals.

Released in September 1963 as the follow-up to Gaye's top ten hit, "Pride and Joy", the song peaked at No.

22 on the Hot 100 on 28 December 1963 and also became one of Gaye's earlier international hit singles, making a buzz in the United Kingdom, primarily among dance clubs in London and northern England (particularly Leeds), and also charted in France where it peaked at number 29 on its chart.

Checkmates, Ltd. released a version of the song as part of a medley on their 1967 debut album, Live!

Elton John performed the song at Bob Geldof's Live Aid Concert on July 13, 1985.