{"id":25853,"date":"2021-03-08T12:59:47","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T01:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harryszmerlingco.stackedsite.com\/?p=25853"},"modified":"2021-03-08T15:03:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T04:03:22","slug":"what-follows-is-list-of-my-favourite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harryszmerlingco.com.au\/2021\/03\/08\/what-follows-is-list-of-my-favourite\/","title":{"rendered":"My 40 Favourite Motown Songs of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What follows is a list of my favourite Motown songs ranked from number 40 to number 1. It is not a list of what I regard as the 40 best Motown songs. \u00a0These are my favourite <\/em>Motown songs. The list reflects my personal opinion which may change from time to time. \u00a0So you won\u2019t see any songs in this list by The Jackson Five. \u00a0Sure, \u201cI Want You Back\u201d is a great song and was hugely successful but I don\u2019t regard it as R & B, nor typical of Motown. \u00a0I know that many will disagree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORE ABOUT HARRY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bNumber 40<\/small> Someday We\u2019ll be Together \u2013 Diana Ross and the Supremes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diana Ross and The Supremes was the most commercially successful recording act at Motown. Someday We\u2019ll be Together was the last song released by them and it reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 popular singles chart. According to legend, Levi Stubbs of The 4 Tops wandered into the studio and ad-libbed some background vocals. Actually one of the composers of the song, Johnny Bristol was the one doing the adlibs. Although the other Supremes (Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong) did not sing on the record, this was a farewell swansong of a famous and successful group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 39<\/small> You\u2019ve Made Me So Very Happy \u2013 Brenda Holloway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brenda Holloway had a style reminiscent of Mary Wells. You\u2019ve Made Me So Very Happy was a lovely soulful song which peaked at number 39 in 1967. Two years later, a less soulful but more jazz\/pop oriented version by Blood Sweat and Tears was a huge hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 38<\/small> Smiling Faces Sometimes \u2013 The Undisputed Truth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and was originally recorded by The Temptations on their \u201cPsychedelic Shack\u201d album. The Undisputed Truth\u2019s version of the song got to Number 3 on Billboard. It was well produced and had biting lyrics of a distrustful sardonic nature \u201ca frown is just a smile turned upside down\u201d. There are several versions of this song but this was the hit version and scrubs up well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 37<\/small> My Guy \u2013 Mary Wells<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song was written by Smokey Robinson and has a smooth sophisticated feel about it. The lyrics are pure Smokey Robinson …\u201dI stick to my guy like a stamp to a letter, like birds of a feather we\u2026stick together\u201d. This song hit number 1 on Billboard and Mary Wells looked set for a long successful career at Motown. Surprisingly though she quit Motown shortly after the success of My Guy<\/em> because of contractual issues. She then joined Twentieth Century Fox Records where she was not able to repeat her Motown success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 36<\/small> Just My Imagination \u2013 The Temptations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This brilliant song was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. It was originally a track on The Temptation\u2019s 1971 album \u201cShy\u2019s the Limit\u201d. Some say that is The Temptations’ best album but I say that can\u2019t be because there was no David Ruffin. Still, Eddie Kendricks did a wonderful job in leading this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 35<\/small> I Was Made To Love Her – Stevie Wonder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song which was partly written by Stevie Wonder personified pent up excitement right from the opening harmonica strains from Stevie. It was a big hit which contained some unusual lyrics:- \u201cmy father disproved it \u2013 my mother boo hooed it\u201d The reference in the end to \u201cyou know Stevie ain\u2019t gonna leave her\u201d is a reference to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 34<\/small> What Does It Take to Win Your Love? \u2013 Junior Walker and the All Stars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song is half instrumental, half vocal. It is enormously enhanced by Junior Walker\u2019s gorgeous and stunning saxophone playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 33<\/small> Love is Like an Itching in My Heart \u2013 Diana Ross and The Supremes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some say that the Supremes did not sing \u201creal soul music\u201d. \u201cBaby Love\u201d and \u201cThe Happening\u201d could not be described as\u00a0soul or R & B. On the other hand, Love is Like an Itching in My Heart<\/em> has a gritty biting R & B sound. Although written by Motown song writing team Holland Dozier and Holland, it was more akin to songs written by them for Martha and the Vandellas. It reached number 9 on Billboard which for The Supremes was regarded as a semi failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 32<\/small> Ain\u2019t No Mountain High Enough \u2013 Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song is a wonderful duet by the incomparable Marvin Gaye and the rising star Tammi Terrell. It was written by the song writing team of Ashford and Simpson and was a wonderful to and fro chant from lovers expressing their feelings. The chorus\/refrain is catchy and iconic. Diana Ross later had a hit version which was heavy on production and melodrama and short on soul. I much prefer the original.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 31<\/small> It\u2019s the Same Old Song \u2013 The 4 Tops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some regard this as a re-run of the big hit by The 4 Tops \u201cI Can\u2019t Help Myself\u201d. I prefer this song. It was written by Holland Dozier and Holland and is upbeat R & B. The melody which is joyful and fast paced is deceptive as the lyrics are bitter sweet and describe one man\u2019s loneliness after losing his lover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 30<\/small> Don\u2019t Mess With Bill \u2013 The Marvelettes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song was written by Smokey Robinson. It has a brooding almost menacing base and organ musical background. Lead singer\u2019s Wanda Young\u2019s husky sexy voice was ideally suited to this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 29<\/small> Since I Lost My Baby \u2013 The Temptations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This 1965 song written by Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore was a moderate hit and is underrated by some. It\u2019s a sad song describing the emptiness of losing a lover. Again, the lyrics are pure Smokey Robinson\u2026\u201dthe sun is shining, there\u2019s plenty of light, a new day is dawning, sunny and bright, but after I\u2019ve been crying all night, the sun is cold and the new day seems old.\u201d Bob Dylan once described Smokey Robinson as America\u2019s greatest living poet. Quite appropriate. David Ruffin\u2019s lead vocal is masterful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 28<\/small> Living for the City \u2013 Stevie Wonder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was originally a track on Stevie\u2019s \u201cInnervisions\u201d album of 1973. It was released as a single and made the top 10 on Billboard. It personifies R & B social commentary at its best and tells the story of a young hopeful African American who comes to New York City full of dreams but gets taken advantage of and finishes up in jail, with his dreams shattered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 27<\/small> I Heard It through the Grapevine \u2013 Gladys Knight and the Pips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ask most people who sang this song and they will answer Marvin Gaye. But before Marvin\u2019s version stormed the charts, Gladys Knight and The Pips\u2019s version was released and made it to number 1 on Billboard. The arrangement is different to Marvin Gaye\u2019s version of the song being more upbeat and sung in an aggressive frenetic style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 26<\/small> Uptight \u2013 Stevie Wonder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This 1965 top ten hit by Stevie Wonder was his first hit single to be co-written by him. It\u2019s exciting, highly danceable and has hit written all over it. The expression \u201cUptight\u201d was in vogue during that period. When Stevie went into his album phase later on his songs had more depth but few were as fresh or exciting as ‘Uptight’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 25<\/small> Where Did Our Love Go? \u2013 The Supremes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard had been hanging around Motown for a long time trying to have a\u00a0hit single.\u00a0 That finally arrived with Where Did Our Love Go<\/em>? This song is R & B\u2026. just. But it\u2019s a great pop single as was reflected by getting to the top of Billboard and staying there for some weeks. It established The Supremes (as they were then called) as a major recording act. It was written by Holland Dozier and Holland who would go on to write many more hits for The Supremes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 24<\/small> Baby I need Your Loving \u2013 The 4 Tops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was written for The 4 Tops by Holland Dozier and Holland and was their first single to make it into the Top 20 on Billboard. It\u2019s been recorded by other artists including Johnny Rivers but nothing comes close to this original version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 23<\/small> Please Mr Postman \u2013 The Marvelettes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Please Mr Postman was Motown\u2019s first Number 1 single. It doesn\u2019t sound like a typical Motown song and presents more like something from Cameo\/Parkway, perhaps sung by a group headed by Dee Dee Sharp. Nothing against The Marvelettes however. This is a great track and was enormously popular. A later version was recorded by The Beatles on their \u201cWith the Beatles\u201d album which wasn\u2019t too bad for four white guys from Liverpool, and then by The Carpenters who must have taken Valium before recording their version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 22<\/small> Nowhere to Run \u2013 Martha and the Vandellas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was a top 10 hit in 1965 and was written by Holland Dozier and Holland who again proved that they could write gritty R & B. It is one of the best songs by Martha & The Vandellas and was later featured in the movie \u201cGood Morning Vietnam\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 21<\/small> I Wish It Would Rain \u2013 The Temptations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was written by Barrett Strong and Roger Penzabene. It deals with a heartbroken man who is expressing his sorrow. David Ruffin\u2019s handling of this song as lead singer is magnificent and the anguish in his voice is palpable. The song was a big hit and yet not long after its release David Ruffin was banished from the group because of in fighting. Although The Temptations recorded great songs after David Ruffin left, their songs with him on lead were always my favourites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 20<\/small> You\u2019ve Really Got a Hold on Me \u2013 The Miracles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was a top 10 hit in 1962. How about \u201cI don\u2019t like you, but I love you\u201d as an opening line? Such conflicted lyrics in hit songs weren\u2019t common in 1962. The Beatles made a not too bad version of this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 19<\/small> Does Your Mama Know About Me? \u2013 Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was a moderate hit in 1968. Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers, as the name suggests, was a Canadian group. The song is very soulful and socially provocative. This was the era of movies like \u201cGuess Who\u2019s Coming to Dinner?\u201d and Does Your Mama Know About Me? <\/em>posed the same racial questions that American society wrestled with. There’s a nice version of this song by Diana Ross and The Supremes on their “Love Child” album.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 18<\/small> Money \u2013 Barrett Strong<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song was released by Barrett Strong in 1959 and got to number 23 on Billboard. Berry Gordy Jnr, the founder of Motown, was one of the song writers. Barrett Strong played the piano and Brian Holland (of Holland Dozier and Holland fame) played tambourine. This song has been recorded by many artists including The Beatles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 17<\/small> You are The Sunshine of My Life \u2013 Stevie Wonder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This gorgeous song was originally a track on Stevie Wonder\u2019s 1973 album \u201cTalking Book\u201d. It was released as a single and got to number 1 on Billboard. It showed Stevie\u2019s great breadth of song writing ability, has been recorded by many artists and become a standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 16<\/small> Come See About Me \u2013 The Supremes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This Holland, Dozier and Holland composition for The Supremes was their third number 1 hit in a row. It\u2019s about as soulful as The Supremes got and was a very pleasant change after the totally pop \u201cBaby Love\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 15<\/small> Your Precious Love \u2013 Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Marvin and Tammi were Motown\u2019s most successful duo. This song is less upbeat than some of their other hits but is full of soul and yearning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 14<\/small> This Old Heart of Mine \u2013 The Isley Brothers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Isley Brothers previously had hits with \u201cShout\u201d and the original (and the best) version of \u201cTwist and Shout\u201d. Their stay at Motown was brief but in that time they recorded This Old Heart of Mine <\/em>which was written by Holland, Dozier and Holland. It was a hit in 1966 and apparently was originally intended for The Supremes. I am not sure why The Isley Brothers left Motown after the success of this song. This Old Heart of Mine has been recorded by several other artists and most notably by Rod Stewart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 13<\/small> Heat Wave \u2013 Martha and The Vandellas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The song got to number 4 on Billboard and is one of the most exciting, rollicking songs Motown ever released. It was recorded by other artists and there is a nice version in Whoopi Goldberg\u2019s movie \u201cSister Act\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 12<\/small> Shop Around \u2013 The Miracles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song almost became Motown\u2019s second number 1 hit after “Please Mr Postman”. It got to number 2. It\u2019s a good R & B upbeat number with Smokey\u2019s lyrics extorting the boy to \u201cnot be sold on the very first one\u201d because \u201cpretty girls come a dime a dozen,\u201d it\u2019s better to \u201cShop Around\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 11<\/small> Fingertips (Parts 1 and 2) \u2013 Little Stevie Wonder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stevie Wonder was 12 years old when this recording was made. It\u2019s one of the most exciting songs ever recorded. Paul McCartney once said in an interview that when he was growing up the most exciting songs he heard were \u201cWhat\u2019d I Say?\u201d by Ray Charles and \u201cFingertips\u201d by Little Stevie Wonder. It was a live recording. It was unusual for live recordings to be successful but this got to number 1. It lacked form and structure and at the end, it appeared that it was finished and Stevie left the stage, changed his mind and returned to sing a short encore. The other musicians were caught out and base player can be heard on the recording yelling out \u201cWhat key? What Key?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 10<\/small> Let\u2019s Get It On \u2013 Marvin Gaye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Marvin Gaye made an album called \u201cLet\u2019s Get it On\u201d from which this track was lifted and released as a single. In the liner notes to the album there is a quote from Marvin Gaye saying \u201cI believe in sex between consenting anybodies\u201d and that\u2019s what this song’s about, sex baby, sex! The opening wah-wah notes that start the song introduce the mood and feel of this great R & B song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 9<\/small> Do You Love Me? \u2013 The Contours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song was a top 10 hit in 1962 and was written and produced by Berry Gordy Jnr. The lyrics are hardly Ira Gershwin or Smokey Robinson \u2013 \u201cdo you love me, now that I can dance?\u201d but in 1962, who cared?! This song is frenetic, aggressive and challenging and the urge to dance is irresistible. A later version by Brian Poole and The Tremloes was awful but The Contours\u2019s version was too in your face for the sensibility of the UK audience or the BBC. Dennis Edwards later left The Contours to join The Temptations, replacing David Ruffin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 8<\/small> Papa Was a Rolling Stone \u2013 The Temptations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This recording is a superb production. Different members of the Temps are given leads at various phases in the song. The musical backing is at time staccato and at times melodic, dramatic and soulful. This is Motown\u2019s \u201cwall of sound\u201d and is a far cry from \u201cThe Way You Do the Things You Do\u201d. Norman Whitfield who produced this song was at the height of his powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 7<\/small> What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? \u2013 Jimmy Ruffin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This hit single was recorded by Jimmy Ruffin, brother of David Ruffin. Great voices obviously ran in the family. It has been recorded by many artists and was featured in the movie \u201cStanding in the Shadows of Motown\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 6<\/small> I Heard It Through the Grapevine \u2013 Marvin Gaye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and is one of the most successful records ever released by Motown. Gladys Knight and The Pips had already had a big hit with their version of this song (number 27 on this list) and Marvin Gaye recorded it as a track on his 1968 album \u201cIn the Groove\u201d. After being played by disc jockeys it was released as a single in October 1968 and went to number 1 on Billboard where it remained for 7 weeks. It\u2019s a great song which was immeasurably enhanced by Marvin’s spellbinding voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 5<\/small> The Tracks of my Tears – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song was written by Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore and Marv Tarplin. It was released in 1965 and was a moderate hit. What\u2019s so special about it? It\u2019s pure wonderful stirring soul music and the lyrics are poetic and heartfelt and in symmetry with the melody. Johnny Rivers had a hit version in 1967 which did not compare favourably with the original. The original was featured in the Academy Award winning movie \u201cPlatoon\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 4<\/small> The One Who Really Loves You \u2013 Mary Wells<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This 1962 song was a top 10 hit for Mary Wells. It\u2019s the title song of an album which became Motown\u2019s first top 10 album. But the song was written by Smokey Robinson and arguably at that stage his lyric writing had not quite matured and progressed as would be evident in his later compositions. References to \u201csilly lily\u201d were not very poignant but this song made up in soulful melody what it might have lacked in lyrical content. It was also enhanced by Mary Wells\u2019s wonderful singing and particularly the fade out, which was heartfelt and thrillingly soulful. This song is the essence of soul music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 3<\/small> Reach Out, I\u2019ll be There \u2013 The 4 Tops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This 1966 song was a number 1 hit for The 4 tops. It was written by Holland Dozier and Holland. It was brilliantly produced and held together by the soaring lead vocals of Levi Stubbs. Phil Spector once described this as Motown doing Dylan but I think that is a difficult comparison to make. This song epitomises strong melodic R & B and is one of Motown\u2019s best ever songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number 2<\/small> What\u2019s Going On? \u2013 Marvin Gaye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This song produced and partly written by Marvin Gaye includes jazz sounds, gospel and of course R & B. It was Motown\u2019s first real foray into social or political issues (\u201cWar\u201d being an earlier example). \u201cWe don\u2019t need to escalate \u2013 war is not the answer\u201d underlines the message that the artist wished to convey and he did so with his incomparable voice and with the wonderful soulful melody of this outstanding song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honourable Mentions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Motown had so many great songs that it\u2019s difficult to restrict a list to 40. Here are some honourable mentions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n