 By 1972, Gladys Knight & The Pips had spent six and a half years with Motown Records, having signed with the label in 1966.Though well known prior to signing with Motown, they achieved widespread success with the label with hits such as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Nitty Gritty" and "If I Were Your Woman".However, the group would recall being treated like outsiders in the label.