I'm gonna keep on schemin' til I can make you my own

Thursday music corner: Doris Troy (1937-2004) was born Doris Higginsen in the Bronx and later took on her grandmother's surname Payne, under which name she co-wrote her own biggest hit. Performing under a stage name inspired by Helen of Troy, Just One Look, recorded in a single 10-minute session in October 1962, was a top 10 US hit in 1963, and became a huge influence on a generation of British musicians excited by rhythm and blues from across the Atlantic. Famous artists who have covered Just One Look include Bryan Ferry, the Hollies, Linda Ronstadt and Harry Nilsson, the latter in a duet with Lynda Laurence.  

Troy moved to London for five years from 1969 to 1974, signing to Apple Records and releasing a star-studded self-titled 1970 album that boasted guest appearances from the album's co-producer George Harrison, Stephen Stills, Klaus Voormann and Ringo Starr. The album and its storming lead single Ain't That Cute sadly failed to chart, but the album was successfully reissued in 1992 and 2010.

Troy's origins and career were celebrated in the 1983 musical Mama, I Want to Sing!, which has been performed over 3500 times and is the longest running black off-Broadway musical in American history.

Doris Troy - Just One Look (1963)

See also:

Music: Barbara Lewis - Hello Stranger (1963)

Music: Tammi Terrell & Marvin Gaye - Your Precious Love (1967)

Music: Archie Bell & the Drells - Tighten Up (1968)