It was recorded in 1965 by Gloria Jones in a Motownish version, but not on Motown.
It was written by Ed Cobb of the Four Preps, who produced many rock acts. He originally offered it to garage rock band The Standells, but they declined it.
It wasn't a hit in the U.S., but it became popular in the British Northern Soul scene. In the 70's Gloria Jones was dating the guy from T. Rex and released a new version in England, but it didn't do well.
Soft Cell knew it from Northern Soul, so they did the remake. Rihanna sampled that version, so Cobb's estate got royalties for her S.O.S..