To be honest, I've never heard of Joan Osborne until a friend of mine told to watch the movie, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown", and wow she really knocks it out of the ballpark, what a outstanding performance!!!!!!! Yea, she does own the song now.......

If this cover does not send chills through your bloodstream you're not human. Fantastic

Is it silly to give a standing ovation when you're watching this at home alone?

The Funk Brothers were just fantastic on this.

The drummers are kicking it big time and those back up singers with Joan top shelf.

Every song Joan covers becomes better than it was meant to be. What a woman. What a voice.

Joan did Jimmy Ruffin proud with her performance, right here- R.I.P., Jimmy Ruffin!!!

Joan we need your music more than ever (2023)! Big hug I hope you are well.

Doesn't hurt none to have the Funk Brothers and a Gospel Choir behind you.

Sadly the greatest bass player, Bob Babbit, died the following year. Just makes this even more special 😢

This song kills me every time. This is the soulful Joan that the world should know

Jimmy Ruffin would have loved this.

Soulful, powerful, blistering. Joan KILLS this song with a voice that is silk and sandpaper, in a breathtaking arrangement that this song needs and deserves.

Simply put : An Old School performance for the Ages.

O my...this song was played just before I WENT TO VIETNAM. I realized I'm still in love with her

Am audible golden flourish of American culture.

Just Excellent ! To be on that stage with those musicians must be quite an honor. Joan osborne is wonderful ! All the experience of those talented musicians and all their talent is astounding !

Sad-happy tears mixed with the awe of seeing one of the most talented sexy performances of all time, never gets old.

I’ve got goosebumps! I have never even heard of this lovely woman! What a blessing!🥰🙏 You go, lady!🙌😀💕🧁

The funk brothers, perfection!

I watch this every day

Awesome! Still watching in 2024, the joy on Pistol's face as the song finishes always gets me.

Thank You Joan for helping the Funk Brothers for finanly getting the credit they deserved.

The perfection of Joan Osborne's singing together with the high standard of musicianship has produced a video of unbelievable quality. The whole song was performed so well and an absolute joy to watch.

Well, I've got a confession....up until a couple days ago, I'd never heard of Joan Osborne. Now, all I can say is......where in the hell have I been?? Incredible performance of a TRUE classic....and she's HOT!! (if I was only 30 years younger....)

Absolutely outstanding! Joan slayed the vocals and The Funk Bothers... WOW! Just an amazing group of musicians from day one and still showing their chops when this was recorded. No wonder they are legendary. Wish I'd have been there live.

When Joan sings that song, she owns that song. And those old pros in the orchestra play with absolute perfection. I have loved this video since I saw it on PBS TV a few years ago. Thank uou for posting it.

I've got goosebumps running down my arms. What a beautiful voice and a tight backup band. She's got white soul too. Everyone's dressed for success also. Classy performance.

Who would could possibly dislike this song?!?!! that one person! This is such perfection!

Recent Comment: My God, what a clip! Absolutely perfect playing and singing, I think Joan Osborne deserves credit for holding her own amongst some of the best musicians ever, the whole thing was so perfect, so moving, a real treat! Thank you for posting this. cruithneuladh

Brilliant voice...Chills up and down my spine...

OMG! She has taken ownership of this tune. What a performance.

Recent Comments: MusicMike...you’re our hero for providing one of the best videos on you tube.....the incomparable funk bros with Joan on this timeless classic.... R.I.P. Pistol Allen and the departed bros....you'll never be forgotten.... nyc1rob " What Becomes of the Brokenhearted " has been one of my all time favorite songs forever .........but when I saw Joan & the Funk Brothers do this in the movie I was absolutely blown away !!!!!! It actually brought tears to my eyes!! 7seadog

Oh, god, former music industry exec who once did marketing for Motown (yikes, 70s, Smokey, Abner, et al) so was drawn to the film. ALWAYS a Jimmy Ruffin fan. Saw this white chick come on stage for this performance and thought, wtf?, and was completely blown away. Maybe the only time that I thought a cover was better than the original. (Sorry Jimmy...). Joan, my dear, beyond masterful...

Love you Joanie! You are the epitome of Motown Blue Eye Soul Sister!

She nailed it....you make Louisville Proud my Joan!!

Her delivery here on this tune with this great band is just GREAT!!!

Joan nails this version and the back-up singers are unbelievably tight and pitch perfect. Very tidy performance.

This song is curious because its about the broken hearted - it should be sad but its not - its uplifting because its sung so perfectly and backing is so rich, intricate melodic, funky and then the camera angles are delightful - all those close ups on instruments and I love the fact that all the musicians are sitting down just like they are doing another hard days work; when you can play like that there's no need to stand or strut. I agree with other comments here - one of the very best EVER

An iconic Motown song that this lady just grabs, doesn't let go, and then launches into space! Wow! How many singers can glide in and out of a rasp like Joan Osborne does? And with a supporting cast that includes the fabulous Funk Brothers, how can you possibly surpass perfection? I've been to the mountain top!

Damn...She slayed that. Awesome job Joan.

It doesn't get any better. The power; that lovely gravel in the voice.

my God! I get goose bumps hearing this rendition!

This Lady has a "knock it out of the park!" voice. I think she just hit a grand slam!

All I can say is WOIW!!! My jaw dropped when I first heard this. I still get chills from hearing this! It's rare that someone can cover a song,makes it entirely their own but still stay true to the original. I'd give them a standing "o" just watching the video...I'm glad for technology that not too long ago, this would'vre been a "you just had to been there" moment...

SHE RIPPED IT!

Just discovered Joan and this so very well performed tune. Now a fan forever!!!

The Funk Brothers are Eternal.the Old Ones. Wise. Tested. Victorious.

I thought that I was crazy one Listening too this tune over and over Joan(GodBlessUSista) MyGod she and the FunkBros killed it what a performance. Also Standing on the Shadows of Motown was awesome.

TIMELESS MASTERPIECE .

Hard to beat the original which was huge hit in UK 3 times……this comes close and she is a fantastic performer, the Funk Brothers still killing it

The strength of Motown was that as an artist you always had to be better because of the talent around you. Joan rose to the challenge and they let her in. Magnificent

I watch this a minimum of 3 times a month- I feel me smiling through the whole bit. Just great !!! Knocks me out.

She owns this song now. No one can take that away from her. I can listen to this forever.

Her cover is perfection.. Loved the whole Standing in The Shadows..🤩

wow...what a rendition!!!

i get "triple goosebumps" every time i listen to this. Joan is amazing. She puts the soul in soul music

Joan is so incredible! The FUNK brothers are amazing and so talented, a league all their own ☮️✌️❤️

She worked in to it slowly and then took the song over... Great job with heart and soul....

First time hearing her cover. WOW!!!

Joan and , The Funk Brothers laid it down............

Sensational-an emotional classic !!!

What a great cover of a Motown hit from many decades ago. Joan Osborne kicks ass bringing this song back to life...

She’s wonderful!

Rarely if ever does it ever get better than this.... WOOF!

Fantabulous!!!

Wow! What a GREAT rendition. I guess when you have an excellent band and a great song, Joan makes this look easy. Thanks Mike, for sharing this one.

Joan Osbornes vocal is so spinechilling awesome this is a great cover song

God means this one to sing.

I’ve seen her live twice and her voice is unbelievable.

Brilliant, Outstanding Performance. Funk Brothers and Joan Osborne . A perfect match.

There aint nuthin' better than seeing AND hearing musicians doing their thing like this, all coming together to make these AWESOME sounds. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!

I'm so impressed by the way the bass drives this song to the wall. That must be why he's the thumbnail.

Heard this version in a tiny rural bar in Thailand, thought it was fantastic, rushed to add to my playlist - excellent.

I consider myself cognoscenti if rock and Roll and folks There is simply no finer cover of a song than this. It is riveting stolen from Jimmie Ruffin and ownEd for antiquity by Joan Osborne I can remember like yesterday when where and with whom I heard this. Brought tears to my eyes like watching La Traviata for the first time

Love her voice!Great job

What a fabulous cover of Jimmy Ruffin's classic song, Joan Osborne with the the superb Funk Brothers backing including the great base playing of Bob Brabbet now sadly gone as of most of the original Funk Brothers, fabulous.

Damn, that was outstanding, she's blue-eyed soul at it's finest.

She now owns this song ! What a great Performance!!

Still the best and will never age

Absolutely epic! And like a true talent, she makes it look completely effortless! I bought her "Relish" cd years ago and discovered that the 'hit' song on the cd (One of Us) was the least representative of her style and her incredible talent. Saw her on tour for that cd, at a small venue and was utterly blown away.

A plus performance-simply stated 👍

wow...Love the way she sings this song!!!!!

With all the greatest respect, move over Jimmy Ruffin!

Stunning performance by all.

What a voice 'Fantastic.'

Joan OWNS this song ! Magnificent !

Certainly one of the best Motown songs ever! Joan you make David Ruffin proud

Brings tears to your eyes. Masterful.

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Wish she would tour more on the West Coast!

She sung the heck out of that song. I loved the arrangement. I'm watching this movie for another time. Most of the Funk Brothers have past. The movie was real good. This when I became aware of Joan Osborne. Matter a fact this is how I learned about the Funk Brothers.

@MusicMike2 All I can say is UNREAL Partner, and leave it at that, AMEN

What a fantastic voice.

Jimmy is smiling down on you, Joanie. Epic.

Wow! Why don’t I know this amazing singer? Fantastic!!!!!

my favorite singer she was born to sing such natural talent effortless sings her own voice

Spoke to ME. Widow 2 yrs. FIRST X I FELT This song TY JOAN & Co.

BEYONF AWESOME THIS LADY.

This is a perfect example of how music has de-volved in the last 20 yrs. These flavor-of-the-month "musicians we have today with their auto-tune and canned back-up should not be in the same building as the fabulous Funk Brothers, Joan, and all of the artists from this era. I weep for the future of great music and real musicians who work hard at their craft. Not some no-talent pretty face jumping around.

Great job. Best sound on this song on youtube. Incredible version of this song. Stuck with me ever since i saw this film. the arrangement is so powerful.