Motown History

The Marvelettes - "That's How Heartaches Are Made" (1970)

OMG. The original Temptations were awesome. ISaw them on some Reunion Tour and it was amazing. Martha Reeves, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Four Tops,Stevie Wonder, etc. they really had a unique sound. I had not realized it but during that same period you had the Philadelphia sound and there was some East Coast thing, and then there was a more bluesy funky sound from the Chicago area, it was an incredible time for music.

I Hear A Symphony by The Supremes

It’s one of a handful of songs that automatically lifts me up and makes me smile.

I don’t want to say Diana Ross because that’s so typical, so I’ll say Vanity.

R4 Definitely

The absolute, hands-down, all-time greatest Motown tune has GOT to be Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancing In The Streets" - seeing as how it went on to be covered by everyone from the Mamas and the Papas to the Grateful Dead to Jagger & Bowie to God knows who else.

98 Degrees!😆

Just kidding! But they were on Motown believe it or not.

GREAT song, OP. Thanks for posting. Takes me back to junior high when this song came out, it was on the radio all the time. Eddie Kendrick’s falsetto and those harmonies- love it.

The version in the made for TV the actors lip synced to is beautiful too.

Only one of the Temps is still alive, sadly.

"Square Biz" - Teena Marie

Released: 1981

Mary Wells, early Motown. I have a Motown playlist that never fails to pick me up when I listen to it. The studio band the artists recorded with was the BEST. Greatest music ever.

"Get Ready" - The Temptations

"Dancing in the Street" - Martha and the Vandellas

ANYTHING by the Temps.

What'd I say, R13?

"Where Did Our Love Go" - The Supremes

The first of 12 #1 pop singles for The Supremes.

When You're Young And In Love

Tammy Terrel and early Marvin Gaye were great.

Marvin & Tammi

Nowhere to Run

When Smokey sings...

The Temptations with David Ruffin, "I Wish It Would Rain." Classic. And R20, Nowhere to Run was my favorite Martha & the Vandellas tune.

This video is the original group, even includes Paul Williams.

The "Bill" in this song was Smokey Robinson. His name is William "Smokey" Robinson. Marvelettes.

Smokey is brilliant. Tracks of my Tears, Oooh Baby Baby. I'll Try Something New. Aretha was not part of Motown, but this is a classic and I love it: Their duet:

Marvin was a genius! This was the party record in my parents' basement when I was a kid. Love this song.

Supremes: Come See About Me. IMO this was the most soulful tune. From their early days. YOu can really appreciate Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson in this one.

Opps. wrong video.

Damn. I give up. Why can I not post this.

Sweet voiced Mary Wells with a much, much harder edge.

A lot of songs on the "From the Cellar" series of unreleased Motown music say "Writer Unknown - but probably Smokey Robinson."

R23 Thanks for the trivia. I didn't know that.

You Really Got a Hold on Me. I’ve always loved this song.

Lots of unlikely artists recorded for Motown - folks you'd never guess. Sinatra recorded for Motown as did Jim Neighbors (Gomer Pyle). Bill Browder was working as an executive in A and R with Motown until Berry Gordy heard him singing one day. Motown recorded him, and he became Country star T.G. Sheppard.

[quote]Bill Browder was working as an executive in A and R with Motown until Berry Gordy heard him singing one day. Motown recorded him, and he became Country star T.G. Sheppard.

I remembered hearing that name, TG Sheppard. Who knew? Thanks for the trivia, R33.

Needle in a Haystack by the Velvelettes

Mysteries and Scandals: Florence Ballard

My favorite Motown singer was by far Marvin Gaye. So handsome, and such an amazing voice.

R35 I thought I knew all of the Motown acts, but I never heard of the Velvelettes. I bet they have some stories to tell about they were overlooked by Berry's muse, Diana.

The Velvelettes had another really good single "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'"

Here you go R28.

Come See About Me — The Supremes

The Supremes "Reflections" - China Beach Theme

Thank you, R40. You're very kind.

"Touch Me in the Morning" - Diana Ross

"I Want You Back" - The Jackson 5

Marvin Gaye was great even when lying down on a couch.

Marvin Gaye called his album "Here, My Dear" since his ex-wife was going to get all the royalties.

"Please Mr. Postman" - The Marvelettes

This is the first Motown song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart (1961).

The guys talking at the beginning of What's Going On ("Hey, what's happening...) are Detroit Lions' Mel Farr and Lem Barney.

The great Levi Stubbs and The Four Tops. I was born in 1976 and I LOVE Motown. All of them.

The Four Tops were amazing. I met them once, and they were the most down to earth, regular guys! I ean for successful performers. Levi was brilliant. Here, Levi sings Whitney Houston.

If you are ever in Detroit, the Motown Museum is a must and a treasure. It is a time capsule and was Berry's home and recording studio for Motown.

Cloud Nine

Motown has started a serious decline since "oldies" stations no longer play their music. Disco is now considered a golden oldie. Unfortunately, I think few teens or even 20s would have ever heard of "My Guy".

^Sad

r53, you still hear Motown songs on tv, in the movies....

R55, it's simple background music to date the project. I think it's sad but you never hear Motown on "oldies stations" in LA like KRTH, where they once ruled.

If I am ever need a pickme up, Motown always does it. The music is just infectious. Thank you for starting this post OP!

Motown arose because Detroit public schools had an outstanding music program. The PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

August 24 on Showtime. Looks good.

[quote]Motown has started a serious decline since "oldies" stations no longer play their music.

Do people even still listen to radio anymore???

I still hear Motown at the grocery store

Ain't No Mountain High Enough (extra HQ) - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Joan Osborne's version of Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" from Standing in the Shadows of Motown

This is a spectacular performance by Ms. Ross. If you need me, call me.

Thanks you R63. Love her version. I'll have to explore more of her music.

marvin gaye for male singer....

group: the stylistics!! (they were motown weren't they?)

I want to know more about Suzanne DePasse. She’s always seemed like an important part of Motown.

Always The Supremes for me, for sure. Including this rarer song and great performance, from a 1973 Bob Hope TV special—with Diana Ross’s successor Jean Terrell killing it on lead on”Bad Weather,” and ably assisted by fellow group members Mary Wilson and Lynda Lawrence.

I always liked "Nathan Jones" from the Jean Terrell era of the Supremes

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine ' - Gladys Knight & the Pips

This always takes me back and lifts me up...

R69

Yes, Nathan Jones!

Sacrilege, R66! The Stylistics were TSOP, The Sound of Philadelphia.

R63. Great rendition by Joan Osborne. Thanks!

Heatwave

Right there with r19 and r62, and so was Amy Winehouse when she wisely sampled it on "Tears Dry On Their Own".

Marvin and Berry's sister Anna

An early Four Tops tune that's not well known but I think it's one of their best: "Ask the Lonely". Strange that no one has ever covered it.

Powerful lyrics and a very, very Motown sound.

ha! in that clip at R40 Diana's wig weighs more than she does

I grew up with my dad being in Doo Wop groups and R&B as his hobby. At 79 still doing it. . Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers , The Drifters, Little Anthony And The Imperials. Sam Cooke was amazing. Ronnie Spector another great voice.

Motown was more than a recording company. It ushered in an era of music that encompassed so much it's easy to get confused with who sang for Motown or who became popular in that era even though they weren't with Motown. I loved the Four Tops. They had some good shit. But my favorite was Marvin. In our house that's what we heard growing up.

Anna Gordy Gaye was like 22 years older than Marvin when they married.

She was born in 1922 and he was born in 1939. That's quite a spread. They had a kid.

Diana Ross interview with Charlie Rose. She tells him that she never fell in love with Berry Gordy, but she believes that he fell in love with her. SHOCKED! Chick gets points for honesty, though.

Post-Vanity 6 Vanity! Clearly she got signed to Motown because she fucked Gordy. They even let her perform live on the Motown Records anniversary special in 1985 which was a crack fueled fever dream. If you listen to the song, you’ll notice the lyrics make zero sense. That’s because she wrote the song herself!

R3 It’s a transcendent song! As soon as I read your post, I got chills.

I was going to say Love Train by the O’Jays but they are Philly, too.

I think Diana and BErry were the Jamie Foxx/Beyonce of Dreamgirls. Berry loved the idea of the image he could make Diana into. But they made a baby and were entwined for life.

Standing In The Shadows Of Motown was an excellent documentary. We tend to forget about the musicians and backup singers that really made the songs. The Funk Brothers were the musicians behind many of the Motown hits. It was great to see these musicians and singers finally get the respect they deserved. Watch the documentary and watch the pure joy they get from performing. Sadly most, if not all, are gone now.