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Favourite Motown Song?


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Old 25-12-2014, 14:15
foxy23
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Any fans of Berry Gordy's Motown?

My top 6;

How sweet it is - Marvin Gaye

My baby - The Temptations

Signed, sealed and delivered - Stevie Wonder

Come see about me - The Supremes

The girl's alright with me - The Temptations

Ooh baby baby - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
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Old 25-12-2014, 23:36
swingaleg
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Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
Supremes - I Hear a Symphony
Supremes - Keep Falling in and Out of Love
Four Tops - Same Old Song
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Old 26-12-2014, 00:06
confuddled
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The Happening.... Supremes.
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Old 26-12-2014, 00:07
0...0
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Diana Ross - Upside Down or Stevie Wonder - Superstition. Fabulous!
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Old 26-12-2014, 01:57
FMKK
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Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
Get Ready - The Temptations
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrel
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder

There are probably a whole load of others but those four come to mind right now.
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Old 26-12-2014, 06:48
Franch Fancy
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So hard to find a favourite they just kept coming. My favourite era of music.
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Old 26-12-2014, 17:16
CFCJM1
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Get Ready - The Temptations
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrel
My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder


So many fantastic songs that will come to me later.
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Old 26-12-2014, 17:48
Multimedia81
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The Happening.... Supremes.
Mine is either this or the Four Tops' Reach Out I'll Be There. Another close one is R Dean Taylor with Gotta See Jane.

Some others I like that you have listed so far include Upside Down and Superstition. Talking of which, my favourite Stevie singles are I Was Made to Love Her and I Wish.
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Old 26-12-2014, 19:36
swingaleg
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Another close one is R Dean Taylor with Gotta See Jane.
One of the few white artists on the label

How about The Velvelettes - Needle in A Haystack

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Dancing in The Street and Jimmy Mack
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Old 27-12-2014, 00:12
rfonzo
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I heard it through the grapevine- Marvin Gaye
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Old 27-12-2014, 00:42
sodavlac
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The Jackson 5 - ABC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkATNuN-nbk
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Old 27-12-2014, 01:08
Doghouse Riley
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I've two vinyl jukeboxes, one is dedicated to Motown and R&B of the same era.
Hard to choose, but anything by the Isleys.

If you need reminding of any of your favourite Motown records, every one is listed here.
There were about a thousand, or thereabouts.

By *label, artist, "A & B" titles, catalogue number and date of issue.


http://www.broadwayboogaloo.co.uk/boogooA56.htm

*Some Motown recordings were distributed under other labels. London, Oriole, Fontana & Stateside.
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Old 27-12-2014, 01:18
Arcana
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This Old Heart Of Mine - The Isley Brothers
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Old 27-12-2014, 01:56
mgvsmith
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The Law of the Land by The Undisputed Truth
The Tracks of My Tears by The Miracles
My Girl by The Temptations
Living for the City by Stevie Wonder

And many, many more
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Old 27-12-2014, 10:31
Blondie X
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This Old Heart Of Mine - The Isley Brothers
The perfect pop song imo. Everything about it is perfection and covering the song is pointless as it original can't be improved upon.
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Old 27-12-2014, 11:31
Doghouse Riley
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The perfect pop song imo. Everything about it is perfection and covering the song is pointless as it original can't be improved upon.
Whilst I agree, (I've that 45rpm in a jukebox) it was the Isley's only Motown hit, the rest were recorded later on their own T Kneck label.

I don't like anything by Diana Ross, I can't stand her whiney nasal delivery, the Supremes sounded better without her.
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Old 28-12-2014, 23:08
tortfeasor
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The Happening.... Supremes.
Great choice.

Good to see we haven't had any Drifters, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson or Foundations songs suggested yet... though there's still time!

I'd struggle to choose a single favourite Motown song, but here are a few of them - this is genuinely as far as I can boil it down to - and I'll put some ones in bold because I've found they're ones people aren't always aware of, and I believe they're worth checking out if you've not heard them:

Christmas ones

Marvin Gaye - Purple Snowflakes
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I'll Be Home For Christmas
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Winter Wonderland
Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means to Me
Jackson 5 - Santa Claus is Comin' To Town

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barrett Strong - Money
The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Who's Lovin' You?
Martha & The Vandellas - (Your Love is Like A) Heatwave
The Temptations - The Way You Do The Things You Do
The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go?
The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving
The Supremes - Come See About Me
The Temptations - My Girl
Martha & The Vandellas - Nowhere to Run
The Temptations - Since I Lost My Baby
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Going to a Go-Go
The Four Tops - It's the Same Old Song
The Supremes - I Hear A Symphony
The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You
Junior Walker & The All Stars - Roadrunner
The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg
The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You
The Four Tops - Loving You Is Sweeter than Ever
The Supremes - The Happening
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I'll Second That Emotion
The Four Tops - I'll Turn To Stone
Martha & The Vandellas - Third Finger Left Hand
Gladys Knight & The Pips - Take Me In Your Arms and Love Me
Diana Ross & The Supremes - Reflections
The Four Tops - Walk Away Renee
The Temptations - I Wish it Would Rain
Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
The Isley Brothers - I Guess I'll Always Love You
Diana Ross & The Supremes and the Temptations - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
The Temptations - Get Ready
The Isley Brothers - Behind A Painted Smile
Diana Ross & The Supremes - No Matter What Sign You Are
Marvin Gaye - Too Busy Thinkin' About My Baby
The Four Tops - Do What You Gotta Do
Junior Walker & The All Stars - What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - The Onion Song
Marvin Gaye - Abraham, Martin & John
The Supremes - Up The Ladder to the Roof
The Four Tops - It's All In The Game
The Temptations - Psychadelic Shack
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)
The Jackson 5 - The Love You Save
The Detroit Spinners - It's A Shame
The Jackson 5 - I'll Be There
R. Dean Taylor - Indiana Wants Me
The Temptations - Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Don't Blame You At All
Stevie Wonder - If You Really Love Me
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On?
The Supremes - Nathan Jones
Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me
The Supremes - Floy Joy
The Supremes - Automatically Sunshine
Junior Walker & The All Stars - Walk in the Night
The Jackson 5 - Lookin' Through the Windows
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Stevie Wonder - I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)
The Jackson 5 - Doctor My Eyes
The Jackson 5 - Hallelujah Day
The Jackson 5 - Skywriter
Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry Bout A Thing
Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
Stevie Wonder - Livin' For the City
Marvin Gaye - Where Are We Going?
Smokey Robinson - Just My Soul Responding
Stevie Wonder - He's Mistra Know It All
Michael Jackson - Music And Me
R. Dean Taylor - There's A Ghost In My House
Commodores - Machine Gun
The Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - Stop, Look, Listen
Stevie Wonder - Boogie On Reggae Woman
Syreeta - Your Kiss Is Sweet
Caston & Majors - Child of Love
Four Seasons - The Night
Diana Ross - The Theme From Mahogany ("Do You Know Where You're Going To?")
The Miracles - Love Machine
David Ruffin - Walk Away From Love
Diana Ross - Love Hangover
Marvin Gaye - I Want You
Stevie Wonder - I Wish
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
Stevie Wonder - Another Star
Stevie Wonder - As
Commodores - Brick House
High Inergy - You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle of Turning Me On)
Rick James - Mary Jane
Teena Marie - I'm A Sucker For Your Love
Commodores - Still
Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious
Teena Marie - Behind The Groove
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Rick James - Super Freak
Stevie Wonder - Do I Do
Lionel Richie - You Are
Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
Gary Byrd & The G.B. Experience - The Crown
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
Dennis Edwards & Siedah Garrett - Don't Look Any Further
Lionel Richie - Stuck On You
Lionel Richie - Penny Lover
Dazz Band - Let It All Blow
The Temptations - Treat Her Like A Lady
Commodores - Night Shift
DeBarge - Rhythm of the Night
Stevie Wonder - Free
Shanice - I Love Your Smile
Lionel Richie - My Destiny
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Old 29-12-2014, 04:16
FrankBT
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Great choice.
Good to see we haven't had any Drifters, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson or Foundations songs suggested yet... though there's still time!
Probably because none of that lot were Motown artists if that's what you were driving at. Although Jackie Wilson did release the Motown sounding hit Higher And Higher.

Difficult to pick a favourite, but amongst them are:

Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need To Get By..
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues,
Marvin Gaye/Kim Weston - It Takes Two
Junior Walker and the All Stars - How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You.
Stevie Wonder's Living For The City (although not strictly a Motown type song)
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Old 29-12-2014, 21:07
Doghouse Riley
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Probably because none of that lot were Motown artists if that's what you were driving at. Although Jackie Wilson did release the Motown sounding hit Higher And Higher.

Difficult to pick a favourite, but amongst them are:

Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need To Get By..
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues,
Marvin Gaye/Kim Weston - It Takes Two
Junior Walker and the All Stars - How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You.
Stevie Wonder's Living For The City (although not strictly a Motown type song)

I've always admired Tammi Terrell, a real tragedy that she died so young.

Her's and Marvin Gaye's version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," has had over thirty million hits on YouTube. "Diana Ross, eat your heart out."

They are obviously miming in the most popular version and it's always amused me the way that Tammi is trying to make Marvin laugh whilst he's miming. She was so full of life then.

This lesser known Drifters song I don't think has been mentioned, It's always been a favourite of mine. It was actually a "B" side but got to No.7 in the UK.

"Motown always should be played on jukeboxes," well, if you're into a bit of "nostalgia" as am I, that's why I've got one devoted to it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i42Wuc_Pzoc
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Old 29-12-2014, 21:26
rjb101
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Martha & The Vandellas - (Your Love is Like A) Heatwave

2 minutes and 42 seconds of brilliance
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Old 29-12-2014, 21:47
swingaleg
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This lesser known Drifters song I don't think has been mentioned, It's always been a favourite of mine. It was actually a "B" side but got to No.7 in the UK.

"Motown always should be played on jukeboxes," well, if you're into a bit of "nostalgia" as am I, that's why I've got one devoted to it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i42Wuc_Pzoc
That was a favourite of mine as well but for years I thought it had been recorded by Holland-Dozier-Holland themselves........but I can't find any evidence of that !

The writing team did venture into recording to produce one brilliant track - Why Can't We Be Lovers'.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD6fphEzlsM

Starts really slow and a bit dull but it builds and builds.......
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Old 29-12-2014, 21:50
Doghouse Riley
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Martha & The Vandellas - (Your Love is Like A) Heatwave

2 minutes and 42 seconds of brilliance

Agreed, It was once, but she's still attempting to sing it, when she should have stopped at least ten or more years ago. Her voice is completely shot.
It's sad, as I've several of her records, including that one.

Here's Joan Osbourne with the original Funk Brothers singing "Heatwave" live, she's so much better than is poor Martha now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTKFR3ra2ts
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Old 29-12-2014, 22:25
djfunnyman
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I'm sure there's been a thread on this before, but I'll give you my top 5

Four Tops- I Can't Help Myself

Marvin Gaye- What's Going On

The Marvelettes- Please Mr Postman

Smokey Robinson- I Second That Emotion

Stylistics- I Can't Give You Anything But My Love

I love all Stevie Wonder songs, difficult to pick a favourite
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Old 30-12-2014, 20:44
rfonzo
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Got To Be There- Michael Jackson

All Night Long- Mary Jane Girls

What Becomes of The Brokenhearted- Jimmy Ruffin
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Old 31-12-2014, 10:26
Multimedia81
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One of the few white artists on the label

How about The Velvelettes - Needle in A Haystack

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Dancing in The Street and Jimmy Mack
This might actually be my favourite - I'm shocked I forgot about it in my previous post!

The Law of the Land by The Undisputed Truth
The Tracks of My Tears by The Miracles
My Girl by The Temptations
Living for the City by Stevie Wonder

And many, many more
Got To Be There- Michael Jackson

All Night Long- Mary Jane Girls

What Becomes of The Brokenhearted- Jimmy Ruffin
These are 2 more of my favourites. I even listened to Jimmy's one last night.
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