her boyfriend "likes it greasy, and sticky, and salty, and gooey", a knowingly saucy performance that somehow escaped the interference of Motown’s infamous Quality Control department.' Similarly, Bonnie Stiernberg of Paste wrote 'the innuendo-laced track is not unlike buttered popcorn—salty, fluffy, and oh so good'. Contemporary reviews of "Buttered Popcorn" include a B+ from Cashbox, whilst music columnist Wayne Harada in The Honolulu Advertiser called the song 'A novelty' which 'merits attention'. Commercial performance Both sides of the single received a lot of airplay on local Detroit stations, but problems very quickly arose. The first version of the song was withdrawn because it was considered "too raw", and a smoother take was released. Gordy did little to promote the single's A-side, and, some time later, the label discovered that the song could be conceived to have a scandalous "double meaning", and switch to pushing the B-side alone before ceasing promotion of the single altogether. "Buttered Popcorn" received much airplay in Detroit and neighbouring cities, but failed to chart—as did all of the group's singles until "Let Me Go the Right Way" charted in December 1962. Personnel Lead vocals by Florence Ballard Background vocals by Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Barbara Martin Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers References 1961 singles The Supremes songs Songs written by Berry Gordy Tamla Records singles Song recordings produced by Berry Gordy 1961 songs