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- 3 min
- David Browne,Mankaprr Conteh,Jon Dolan,Kory Grow,Keith Harris,Christian Hoard,Elias Leight,Angie Martoccio,Jason Newman,Rob Sheffield,Hank Shteamer,Brittany Spanos
- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, “Shop Around” (1960) If you want to hear how Berry Gordy fine-tuned Detroit R&B for wider (and whiter) pop appeal without watering it down, compare the two versions the Miracles recorded of this 1960 Smokey Robinson classic.
- Martha and the Vandellas, “Jimmy Mack” (1966) Few hits in the Motown canon have as many backstories and multiple meanings as the Vandellas’ last Top 10 hit.
- Dennis Edwards feat. Siedah Garrett, “Don’t Look Any Further” (1984) Here lies yet another of the earth-shaking rhythm sections in Motown’s massive discography: an unchanging snare drum cruelly punching holes in a four-part bass riff stuffed with chubby notes.
- The Velvelettes, “He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin'” (1964) Formed at Western Michigan University, the Velvelettes never found the success of the Marvelettes, Vandellas, or Supremes (their one attempt at an album was never finished), but they had two wonderful singles in 1964: “Needle in a Haystack” and the lyrically sharp, musically sophisticated “He Was Really Saying Something.”
- Tom Eames
- 3 min
- The Four Tops - 'Baby I Need Your Loving' Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving (1966) HQ 0815007. This 1964 track was written and produced by Motown's main production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland.
- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - 'Tracks of My Tears' Smokey Robinson & the Miracles The Tracks of My Tears lyrics. This ballad gave The Miracles a worldwide hit in 1965, though it took another four years before it reached the UK.
- Mary Wells - 'My Guy' Mary Wells - My Guy. This song was written and produced by Smokey Robinson, and is about a woman's rejection of a sexual advance and affirming her fidelity to her boyfriend.
- Stevie Wonder - 'Higher Ground' Higher Ground. This funk tune was taken from Stevie's iconic 1973 album Innervisions. Wonder wrote and recorded the song in a three-hour burst of pure creativity in May 1973.
- Heatwave
- Endless Love
- It’S A Shame
- This Old Heart of Mine
- Mercy Mercy Me
- I Can’T Help Myself
- Get Ready
- Can I Get A Witness
- Needle in A Haystack
- There’S A Ghost in My House
If you’re looking for a perfect example of “The Motown Sound,” you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one than 1963’s “Heatwave.” With doo-wop vocals, a hefty backbeat, and plenty of horns, this is the classic sound of the label.
One of the greatest duets ever, this Lionel Richie-penned tune topped the Billboard charts for nine weeks. It’s a perfect marriage of two distinct and talented voices. The movie for which it was written is largely forgotten today, but the song will be remembered forever.
The Spinners would go off to record more for Atlantic Records, but you can understand why Motown wanted to get in on the ground floor of this talented vocal group. This tune, co-written by Stevie Wonder, was the group’s most successful song for Motown, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard R&B chart.
The Isley Brothers only recorded songs for Motown for a short time, but they made a mighty impact with this pleading Holland–Dozier–Holland gem. It would go on to be covered countless times in the following decades.
Marvin Gaye’s poignant song about the environment only becomes more relevant as time goes on. While the sentiment was downcast, it resonated with listeners at the time (it nearly reached the top of the Billboard charts) and today (the album from which it was taken, What’s Going On was named the #1 record in the 2020 Rolling Stonelist of the best al...
This massive hit for The Four Tops wasn’t just a No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s since been one of the tracks used in countless TV shows and films to stand in for the 1960s as a decade, ensuring that this Motown song will continue to resonate for generations to come.
An anthem from the first hitmaking phase of The Temptations’ career, when their songs were laid on by Smokey Robinson– a sure sign of soul of the highest order. Assertive, powerful, and groovy, this 1966 smash is beautifully delivered by the great Eddie Kendricks.
The classic Motown sound was starting to fully flow by the end of 1963, when “Can I Get A Witness” was released. But you can still hear a strong current of R&B and an undertow of gospelin this thrilling floor-filler and all-time mod mover.
An early marker of success for up and coming super-producer Norman Whitfield, this irresistible single was one of just two US Hot 100 entries for a girl group signed to a record company awash with them. Perhaps The Velvelettes needed more attention, or to shout louder – but they surely had talent to spare.
One doozy of a catchy song, penned by Motown backroom legends Holland-Dozier-Holland alongside Canadian singer Richard Dean Taylor. With a chorus driven into your brain by a guitar like an angry hornet, this has the pop fashion of 1967 all over it. A wild version supplied a much-needed UK hit for The Fall in 1987.
- Ian Mccann
- 8 min
Apr 14, 2013 · Motown is a record company founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. in 1959 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit. Motown played an...
- 15 min
- 2M
- Nathaniel Jordon
These iconic Motown classics are a celebration of music that transcends generations. Each song carries the Motown legacy forward, evoking nostalgia and a sense of pure musical joy.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-motown-songs-1139063/smokey-robinson-and-the-miracles-shop-around-1960-1142750/
100 Greatest Motown Songs. A new music service with official albums, singles, videos, remixes, live performances and more for Android, iOS and desktop.
