Best Motown Songs - RESULTS

Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Best Motown Songs - RESULTS

Post by Hymie »

Okay, by popular demand I'm back with another survey. This time it's Best Motown Songs as it is the 60th anniversary of the label's start. I was gonna do the Temptations, but I thought there would be trouble getting more than 60 or so meaningful songs by them and some friends were asking me for Motown, so here we are.

Any song that was originally released on one of the Motown labels is eligible whether it was a single or an album track. Those labels include Tamla, Motown, Gordy, Soul, Rare Earth, Mowest, Miracle, Mel-O-Dy, V.I.P., and some other lesser known ones.

Submit to me at least 10 and up to 50 of your favorite Motown songs ranked in order. I'll tally up the numbers and present a countdown of the results. Ballots will be scored like this:

1. 75 points
2. 71
3. 68
4. 65
5. 62
6. 60
7. 58
8. 56
9. 54
10. 52
11. 50
12. 49
13. 48
14. 47
15. 46
16. 45
17. 44
18. 43
19. 42
20. 41
21. 40
22. 39
23. 38
24. 37
25. 36
26. 35
27. 34
28. 33
29. 32
30. 31
31. 30
32. 29
33. 28
34. 27
35. 26
36. 25
37. 24
38. 23
39. 22
40. 21
41. 20
42. 19
43. 18
44. 17
45. 16
46. 15
47. 14
48. 13
49. 12
50. 11

Ballots must contain at least 10 songs and must be ranked, or they will not be counted. Please post your ballot in this thread.
Last edited by Hymie on Tue Oct 22, 2019 1:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

MY BALLOT

1. I Want A Love I Can See - Temptations
2. Shotgun - Jr. Walker and the All-Stars
3. Get Ready - Rare Earth
4. Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Temptations
5. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
6. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Gladys Knight and the Pips
7. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - Temptations
8. It's A Shame - Spinners
9. What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) - Jr. Walker and the All-Stars
10. I'll Turn To Stone - Four Tops
11. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Supremes and Temptations
12. Come And Get These Memories - Martha and the Vandellas
13. The One Who Really Loves You - Mary Wells
14. Give It To Me, Baby - Rick James
15. Cloud Nine - Temptations
16. Just My Imagination - Temptations
17. Ooo Baby Baby - Miracles
18. The Tracks of My Tears - Miracles
19. You've Really Got A Hold On Me - Miracles
20. When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes - Supremes
21. Tears of a Clown - Miracles
22. Would I Love You - Miracles
23. Baby I Need Your Lovin' - Four Tops
24. Didn't You Know (You'd Have To Cry Sometime) - Gladys Knight & Pips
25. Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin Starr
26. The Girl's Alright With Me - Temptations
27. What Love Has Joined Together - Temptations
28. Mercy Mercy Me - Marvin Gaye
29. A Place In The Sun - Stevie Wonder
30. Pride And Joy - Marvin Gaye
31. Do You Love Me - Contours
32. You'll Lose A Precious Love - Temptations
33. My Girl - Temptations
34. Come See About Me - Supremes
35. Uptight (Everything Is All Right) - Stevie Wonder
36. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
37. Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
38. Don't Look Back - Temptations
39. I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations
40. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Marvin Gaye
41. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Jr. Walker & the All-Stars
42. Shop Around - Miracles
43. My Whole World Ended - David Ruffin
44. It's The Same Old Song - Four Tops
45. Nowhere To Run - Martha & Vandellas
46. Back In My Arms Again - Supremes
47. The Happening - Supremes
48. Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) - Frank Wilson
49. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
50. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

I'll need some time to check which songs I associate with Motown through Northern Soul were actually released on its labels but I expect my list to exceed 50. Good to see the world's most valuable record at #48!
All I got inside is vacancy!
Wisnu Tirta Aji
Different Class
Posts: 434
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 11:42 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Wisnu Tirta Aji »

MY BALLOT

1. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
2. Upside Down - Diana Ross
3. Dancing in the Street - Martha and the Vandellas
4. Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong
5. My Guy - Mary Wells
6. Get Ready - Rare Earth
7. Hello - Lionel Richie
8. Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
9. Endless Love - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
10. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
11. I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight & The Pips
12. Do You Love Me - The Contours
13. Fingertips - Little Stevie Wonder
14. Shop Around - The Miracles
15. I Can't Get Next to You - The Temptations
16. Keep on Truckin' - Eddie Kendricks
17. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - Four Tops
18. Love Machine - The Miracles Feat. David Griffin
19. You and I - Rick James
20. The Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Director of Top Hits and also founder of Top 500 Radio Hits of All Time, now Top 500+ and soon grown up to Top 1000+.

Coming soon:
Top 1000+ Tournament Poll

Signature:
Top 1000+ Tournament Poll is the music version of election day.
User avatar
andyd1010
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1798
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2016 12:08 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by andyd1010 »

If anyone compiles a list of Motown songs on AM I'll participate, or else I'll probably participate at the end just choosing songs I like from other people's lists, because I don't know off the top of my head what's a Motown song besides a handful of obvious ones.
User avatar
Rob
Die Mensch Maschine
Posts: 7350
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Rob »

andyd1010 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:50 pm If anyone compiles a list of Motown songs on AM I'll participate, or else I'll probably participate at the end just choosing songs I like from other people's lists, because I don't know off the top of my head what's a Motown song besides a handful of obvious ones.
You can also just vote for all the tracks on this album:

Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

mileswide wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:39 am I'll need some time to check which songs I associate with Motown through Northern Soul were actually released on its labels but I expect my list to exceed 50. Good to see the world's most valuable record at #48!
My friend found a used copy of the Frank Wilson at a radio station in South Carolina. He was a DJ playing oldies on a black AM station down there. The record played really good so he used to play it on the air regularly. This was about 32 years ago. A British collector came through and bought the 45 from him for $1200. I guess he got a steal considering what it goes for now.
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

andyd1010 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:50 pm If anyone compiles a list of Motown songs on AM I'll participate, or else I'll probably participate at the end just choosing songs I like from other people's lists, because I don't know off the top of my head what's a Motown song besides a handful of obvious ones.
This will help some.

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best ... otown.html

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best ... otown.html
User avatar
andyd1010
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1798
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2016 12:08 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by andyd1010 »

Rob wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:03 pm
andyd1010 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:50 pm If anyone compiles a list of Motown songs on AM I'll participate, or else I'll probably participate at the end just choosing songs I like from other people's lists, because I don't know off the top of my head what's a Motown song besides a handful of obvious ones.
You can also just vote for all the tracks on this album:

Haha, perfect, thanks Rob. If only they did three more. How could they limit it to seven with so many Nickelback classics to choose from?
User avatar
Live in Phoenix
Full of Fire
Posts: 2503
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:50 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Live in Phoenix »

Rob wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:03 pm
You can also just vote for all the tracks on this album:

Ha ha, oh my God...
Wisnu Tirta Aji
Different Class
Posts: 434
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 11:42 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Wisnu Tirta Aji »

Rob wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:03 pm
You can also just vote for all the tracks on this album:

:lol:
Director of Top Hits and also founder of Top 500 Radio Hits of All Time, now Top 500+ and soon grown up to Top 1000+.

Coming soon:
Top 1000+ Tournament Poll

Signature:
Top 1000+ Tournament Poll is the music version of election day.
jimmyj
Strange Fruit
Posts: 80
Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:02 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by jimmyj »

Love this era/genre

1. My Girl – The Temptations
2. Dancing in the Street – Martha and the Vandellas
3. My Guy – Mary Wells
4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
5. Please Mr. Postman – The Marvelettes
6. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye
7. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
8. Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
9. War – Edwin Starr
10. Baby Love – The Supremes
11. Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations
12. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations
13. Stop! In The Name Of Love – The Supremes
14. The Tracks of My Tears – The Miracles
15. Money (That’s What I Want) – Barrett Strong
16. What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted – Jimmy Ruffin
17. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops
18. Love Is Like a Heat Wave – Martha and the Vandellas
19. Shop Around – The Miracles
20. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) – The Tempations
21. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – The Miracles
22. This Old Heart of Mine – The Isley Brothers
23. Nowhere to Run – Martha and the Vandellas
24. Fingertips – Stevie Wonder
25. Needle in a Haystack – The Velvelettes
26. The Tears Of A Clown – Smokey Robinson
27. Jimmy Mack – Martha and the Vandellas
28. Baby I Need Your Loving – Four Tops
29. Smiling Faces Sometimes – The Undisputed Truth
30. I Can’t Get Next To You – The Temptations
User avatar
bonnielaurel
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1662
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:48 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by bonnielaurel »

  1. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke (1976)
  2. Stevie Wonder - Superstition (1972)
  3. Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On (1971)
  4. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go (1964)
  5. Diana Ross - I’m Still Waiting (1970)
  6. Four Tops - Reach Out I’ll Be There (1967)
  7. Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me (1985)
  8. Commodores - Easy (1977)
  9. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears of a Clown (1970)
  10. The Jackson 5 - I’ll Be There (1970)
  11. Gladys Knight & The Pips - Neither One of Us (1972)
  12. The Supremes - Stop! In the Name of Love (1965)
  13. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (1967)
  14. Diana Ross - Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To) (1975)
  15. Michael Jackson - One Day in Your Life (1975)
  16. Mary Wells - My Guy (1964)
  17. Martha & The Vandellas - Heat Wave (1963)
  18. Gladys Knight & The Pips - If I Were Your Woman (1970)
  19. Diana Ross - My Old Piano (1980)
  20. Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (Jammin’) (1980)
  21. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1968)
  22. India.Arie - Video (2001)
  23. Lionel Richie - Hello (1984)
  24. Stevie Wonder - Living for the City (1973)
  25. The Temptations - My Girl (1964)
  26. Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - It Takes Two (1966)
  27. Michael Jackson - Ben (1972)
  28. Commodores - Three Times a Lady (1978)
  29. Gladys Knight & The Pips - Help Me Make It Through the Night (1972)
  30. Stevie Wonder - Part-Time Lover (1985)
  31. Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing in the Street (1964)
  32. Stevie Wonder - For Once in My Life (1968)
  33. Diana Ross - Upside Down (1980)
  34. Marvin Gaye - Trouble Man (1972)
  35. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - You’re All I Need to Get By (1968)
  36. Stevie Wonder - Pastime Paradise (1976)
  37. Erykah Badu - Bag Lady (2000)
  38. Stevie Wonder - They Won’t Go When I Go (1973)
  39. Diana Ross - Doobedoo’ndoobe Doobedoo’ndoobe Doobedoo’ndoo (1970)
  40. The Temptations - Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (1972)
  41. Stevie Wonder - As (1976)
  42. The Supremes - Baby Love (1964)
  43. Four Tops - Baby, I Need Your Loving (1964)
  44. Stevie Wonder - You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1972)
  45. The Supremes - You Can’t Hurry Love (1966)
  46. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me (1962)
  47. Lionel Richie - Dancing on the Ceiling (1986)
  48. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie - Endless Love (1981)
  49. The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (1969)
  50. Marvin Gaye - Let’s Get It On (1973)
User avatar
Live in Phoenix
Full of Fire
Posts: 2503
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:50 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Live in Phoenix »

andyd1010 -- there are also a couple 4-CD box sets that cover a lot of Motown's achievements.

Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959–1971
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitsville ... %80%931971

Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection Volume 2 1972–1992
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitsville ... %80%931992
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Bonnie, jimmy and wisnu have all been tabulated. Thanks.
User avatar
Listyguy
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3012
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:34 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Listyguy »

This might also be a good place to start:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Motown_artists
Wisnu Tirta Aji
Different Class
Posts: 434
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 11:42 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Wisnu Tirta Aji »

Hymie wrote: Thu Sep 26, 2019 12:15 am Bonnie, jimmy and wisnu have all been tabulated. Thanks.
You're welcome.
Director of Top Hits and also founder of Top 500 Radio Hits of All Time, now Top 500+ and soon grown up to Top 1000+.

Coming soon:
Top 1000+ Tournament Poll

Signature:
Top 1000+ Tournament Poll is the music version of election day.
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

Hymie wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:25 pm My friend found a used copy of the Frank Wilson at a radio station in South Carolina. He was a DJ playing oldies on a black AM station down there. The record played really good so he used to play it on the air regularly. This was about 32 years ago. A British collector came through and bought the 45 from him for $1200. I guess he got a steal considering what it goes for now.
Man, most people won't realise how much a bargain that rates at these days. Some folks now would drop $100 grand for the original Frank Wilson cut. Chris Clark , who Berry Gordy was slyly having it off with due to the stigma at that time around interracial relationships, also had a version of DILY? not that far off the original and, rightly or wrongly, $1200 would be a snip just for her cover on vinyl.
All I got inside is vacancy!
User avatar
andyd1010
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1798
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2016 12:08 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by andyd1010 »

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Alas, Nickelback did not make the cut.

1 | Marvin Gaye | I Heard It Through the Grapevine
2 | Stevie Wonder | Superstition
3 | Smokey Robinson & the Miracles | The Tracks of My Tears
4 | Marvin Gaye | Let's Get It On
5 | Stevie Wonder | Living for the City
6 | The Jackson 5 | I Want You Back
7 | The Temptations | My Girl
8 | The Supremes | Where Did Our Love Go
9 | The Miracles | You've Really Got a Hold on Me
10 | Martha and the Vandellas | Dancing in the Street
11 | Marvin Gaye | What's Going On
12 | Four Tops | Reach Out I'll Be There
13 | Stevie Wonder | Sir Duke
14 | Stevie Wonder | Master Blaster (Jammin')
15 | The Supremes | Baby Love
16 | Stevie Wonder | As
17 | Four Tops | I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
18 | Jimmy Ruffin | What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
19 | The Supremes | You Can't Hurry Love
20 | The Isley Brothers | This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
21 | The Supremes | You Keep Me Hangin' On
22 | The Contours | Do You Love Me
23 | Stevie Wonder | Higher Ground
24 | Stevie Wonder | Uptight (Everything's Alright)
25 | The Supremes | Stop! In the Name of Love
26 | Four Tops | Baby I Need Your Loving
27 | Stevie Wonder | Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
28 | Commodores | Easy
29 | Thelma Houston | Don't Leave Me This Way
30 | The Marvelettes | Please Mr. Postman
31 | The Temptations | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
32 | Brenda Holloway | Every Little Bit Hurts
33 | Marvin Gaye | Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
34 | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | Ain't No Mountain High Enough
35 | The Miracles | Shop Around
36 | Barrett Strong | Money (That's What I Want)
37 | Diana Ross | I'm Coming Out
38 | The Jackson 5 | ABC
39 | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
40 | Mary Wells | My Guy
41 | Smokey Robinson & the Miracles | The Tears of a Clown
42 | Stevie Wonder | Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
43 | Smokey Robinson & the Miracles | Going to a Go-Go
44 | Gladys Knight & the Pips | I Heard It Through the Grapevine
45 | The Temptations | Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
46 | Smokey Robinson & the Miracles | I Second That Emotion
47 | Smokey Robinson | Cruisin'
48 | The Temptations | Ain't Too Proud to Beg
49 | Martha and the Vandellas | (Love Is Like a) Heat Wave
50 | Gladys Knight & the Pips | Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Thanks Andy, you're in!
User avatar
Live in Phoenix
Full of Fire
Posts: 2503
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:50 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Live in Phoenix »

I thought I should warn people that Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" is not a Motown song.

1. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
2. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
3. Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
4. The Temptations - My Girl
5. Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour
6. Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing in the Street
7. Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'
8. Stevie Wonder - I Just Called to Say I Love You
9. Stevie Wonder - Another Star
10. The Miracles - You've Really Got A Hold On Me
11. Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
12. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - More Love
13. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
14. Stevie Wonder - Saturn
15. Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
16. Stevie Wonder - Superwoman
17. Stevie Wonder - Creepin'
18. Stevie Wonder - Living For the City
19. Jackson 5 - I'll Be There
20. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
21. Boyz II Men - It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
22. Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)
23. Commodores - Brick House
24. Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Lovin'
25. Commodores - Nightshift
26. Boyz II Men - End of the Road
27. The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
28. Stevie Wonder - Part-Time Lover
29. Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
30. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
31. Jackson 5 - ABC
32. The Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby
33. Lionel Richie - Hello
34. Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want)
35. Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way
36. Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)
37. Stevie Wonder - Superstition
38. Contours - Do You Love Me
39. Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
40. Public Enemy - Fight the Power
41. Boyz II Men - Motownphilly
42. The Miracles - Shop Around
43. Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - It Takes Two
44. The Supremes - Stop! In the Name of Love
45. The Temptations - Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
46. Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
47. Commodores - Easy
48. Martha & The Vandellas - Jimmy Mack
49. Mary Wells - My Guy
50. Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman

51-57. All those Nickelback songs (So close!)
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Phoenix is in. Good call on FIGHT THE POWER. First released on Motown on the movie soundtrack.
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Here's a ballot I just got from a 73 year old friend of mine.

1 Linda Greiner "Envious "
2. Brenda Holloway "A Favor For a Girl"
3. Supremes "Where Did Our Love Go "
4. Four Tops "Baby I Need Your Lovin"
5. Mary Wells "Bye Bye Baby "
6. Marvalettes "Please Mr. Postman "
7. Marvalettes "So Long Baby"
8. Mary Wells "You Beat Me to the Punch"
9. Temptations "I Wanna Love I Can See "
10. Carolyn Crawford "Forget About Me "
11. Brenda Holloway "Every Little Bit Hurts"
12. Marvalettes "Strange I Know "
13. Miracles "Bad Girl "
14. Martha & the Vandellas "Come & Get These Memories "
15. Supremes "Come See About Me "
16. Supremes "I Hear a Symphony "
17. Temptations "My Girl "
18. Linda Greiner "Good-By Cruel Love "
19. Temptations "Paradise "
20. Martha & the Vandellas "Heat Wave"
21. Miracles "I'll Try Something New "
22. Contours "Do You Love Me"
23. Four Tops "Ask the Lonely "
24. Supremes "Always in My Heart"
25. Supremes "Back in Your Arms Again "
26. Originals "Baby I'm For Real "
27. Miracles "Ooh Baby Baby "
28. Temptations "The Way You Do the Things You Do "
29. Saintones "Angel "
30. Temptations "Your Wonderful Love "
31. Miracles "The Only One I Love "
32. Saintones "My Beloved "
33. Mary Wells "Two Lovers "
34. Eddie Holland "Merry Go Round "
35. Kim Weston "Love Me All the Way "
36. Herman Griffin " Sleep "
37. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell "Ain't No Mountain High "
38. Martha & the Vandellas "Dancing in the Street "
39. Originals "The Bells "
40. Miracles "You 've Got to Pay Bills "
41. Marv Johnson "Come To Me "
42. Mary Wells "The One Who Really Loves You "
43. The Downbeats "Your Baby's Back "
44. The Valadiers "Because I Love Her "
45. Martha & the Vandellas "Quick Sand "
46. Gladys Knight & the Pips "I Heard It From the Grapevine"
47. Marvin Gaye "What's Going On "
48. Miracles "Would I Love You "
49. Supremes "Seventeen "
50. Barrett Strong "Money "
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

There's no complete singles discography of Motown and all its subsidiaries online but https://motownjunkies.co.uk will provide it once that project has reached its conclusion. It's made it as far as 1966, which is coincidentally (or not) the final year on Wikipedia's list of Motown singles.

http://seabear.se/detroit1.htm might be useful as it catalogues each Motown-affiliated label's run of singles to 1986, more than covering the golden age.

That might be too much to dig through but I'll just be relying on the Gordy, Tamla, V.I.P. and Motown Records labels where you'll find most of the Hitsville sound (plus practically every post-70s act associated with the Motown brand), while the remaining labels were short-lived and mainly unsuccessful attempts to tap into other genres (not entirely though, the rock label Rare Earth has a following largely thanks to the band of the same name and Hugh Masekela had an early album on the 'world-music' label Chisa).
All I got inside is vacancy!
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

mileswide wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 12:40 pm That might be too much to dig through but I'll just be relying on the Gordy, Tamla, V.I.P. and Motown Records labels where you'll find most of the Hitsville sound
The Soul label is pretty important, with Jr. Walker and Gladys Knight and the Pips, among others.
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

Hymie wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 12:49 pm The Soul label is pretty important, with Jr. Walker and Gladys Knight and the Pips, among others.
I'll give you that! The label momentarily slipped my mind but What Becomes of the Brokenhearted? and Do I Love You?, both on Soul, will certainly get my vote.
All I got inside is vacancy!
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Another ballot from a 70+ year old friend of mine:

1.ENVIOUS- LINDA GRINER

2.WOULD I LOVE YOU- MIRACLES

3.THE ANSWER IS LOVE- BILLY ECKSTINE

4.BAD GIRL- MIRACLES

5.FUNNY- CONTOURS

6.I AM BOUND- GOLDEN HARMONEERS

7.THE ONLY ONE I LOVE-MIRACLES

8.FOREVER- MARVELETTES

9.A FAVOR FOR A GIRL- BRENDA HOLLOWAY

10.PARADISE- TEMPTATIONS

11.IF MY HEART COULD TELL THE STORY- EDWIN STARR

12.I`LL TAKE CARE OF YOU- MARVIN GAYE

13.THE BELLS- ORIGINALS

14.MY BABY GAVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE- AMOS MILBURN

15.I`LL CRY TOMORROW- SERENADERS

16.YOUR BABY`S BACK- DOWNBEATS

17.STRANGE I KNOW- MARVELETTES

18.(YOU CAN)DEPEND ON ME- MIRACLES

19.MY SMILE IS JUST A FROWN- CAROLYN CRAWFORD

20.WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITHOUT YOU- CHUCK JACKSON

21.WHO WOULDN`T LOVE A MAN LIKE THAT- MABLE JOHN

22.COME TO ME- MARV JOHNSON

23.HE`S ALL I GOT- SUPREMES

24.I WONDER WHY- BILLY ECKSTINE

25.WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY- MIRACLES

26.COME ON AND SEE ME- TAMMI TERRELL

27.ZING- SATINTONES

28.NEVER AGAIN- SUPREMES

29.LOVE ME ALL THE WAY- KIM WESTON

30.IF IT`S LOVE- EDDIE HOLLAND

31.ALONG CAME LOVE- MIRACLES

32.THAT DAY WHEN SHE NEEDED ME- CONTOURS

33.YOUR WONDERFUL LOVE- TEMPTATIONS

34.YOU`LL LOSE A PRECIOUS LOVE- TEMPTATIONS

35.BABY I`M FOR REAL- ORIGINALS

36.COME & GET THESE MEMORIES-MARTHA/VANDELLAS

37.I WANT A LOVE I CAN SEE- TEMPTATIONS

38.IN MY DIARY- SPINNERS

39.CONTRACT ON LOVE- LITTLE STEVIE WONDER

40.ASK THE LONELY- FOUR TOPS

41.I WILL NEVER LOVE ANOTHER- FIVE SMOOTH STONES

42.QUICKSAND- MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS(45 ONLY)

43.TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS- KIM WESTON

44.LOVE,GUESS WHO- MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

45.HEAT WAVE- MARTHA/VANDELLAS

46.WHEN I`M GONE- BRENDA HOLLOWAY

47.LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT GUY- KIM WESTON

48.EVERY LITTLE BIT HURTS- BRENDA HOLLOWAY

49.YOU MUST BE LOVE- MIRACLES

50.WHAT LOVE HAS JOINED TOGETHER- TEMPTATIONS



EXTRAS

1.MY GIRL- TEMPTATIONS

2.DON`T LOOK BACK- TEMPTATIONS

3.IT`S THE SAME OLD LOVE- COURTSHIP

4.WHERE DID YOU GO- FOUR TOPS

5.I`VE BEEN GOOD TO YOU- MIRACLES

6.SO LONG BABY- MARVELETTES

7.I`LL SAY FOREVER MY LOVE- JIMMY RUFFIN

8.YOU`RE MY DESIRE- EQUADORS

9.SINCE I LOST MY BABY- TEMPTATIONS

10.YOU GOT THE LOVE I LOVE- MARV JOHNSON

11.BYE BYE BABY- MARY WELLS

12.THE ONE WHO REALLY LOVES YOU- MARY WELLS

13.HAVE I THE RIGHT- POPCORN & THE MOHAWKS

14.BABY BABY I NEED YOU- TEMPTATIONS

15.HERE YOU COME- HATTIE LITTLES

16.JUST BE YOURSELF- LA BRENDA BEN

17.HERE I GO AGAIN- MIRACLES

18.BABY I MISS YOU- TOMMY GOOD

19.DON`T STOP NOW- ORIGINALS

20.MERRY-GO-ROUND- EDDIE HOLLAND
Cold Butterfly
Different Class
Posts: 484
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2018 2:28 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Cold Butterfly »

1. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
2. Stevie Wonder - Superstition
3. Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On
4. Public Enemy - Fight The Power
5. Stevie Wonder - Living For The City
6. Edwin Starr - War
7. Four Tops - Reach Out, I’ll Be There
8. Martha And The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
9. Smokey Robinson & His Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears
10. The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
11. The Temptations - My Girl
12. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone
13. The Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love
14. Barnett Strong - Money (That’s What I Want)
15. The Marvelletes - Please Mr. Postman
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Cold is in.
DaveC
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3482
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:04 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by DaveC »

1 | Stevie Wonder | Visions
2 | Edwin Starr | War
3 | The Temptations | Papa Was a Rolling Stone
4 | The Supremes | Where Did Our Love Go
5 | Four Tops | Reach Out I'll Be There
6 | Marvin Gaye | I Heard It Through the Grapevine
7 | Mary Wells | My Guy
8 | The Supremes | You Can't Hurry Love
9 | Stevie Wonder | Superstition
10 | Stevie Wonder | Living for the City
11 | The Supremes | When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes
12 | Martha and The Vandellas | Dancing in the Street
13 | Diana Ross | I'm Still Waiting
14 | Four Tops | I Can't Help Myself
15 | Stevie Wonder | Pastime Paradise
16 | Stevie Wonder | Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
17 | The Contours | Do You Love Me
18 | Marvin Gaye | What's Going On
19 | Stevie Wonder | Sir Duke
20 | Marvin Gaye | Inner City Blues (Make Me Want to Holler)
21 | Four Tops | It's The Same Old Song
22 | Smokey Robinson & The Miracles | The Tears of a Clown
23 | Edwin Starr | Twenty Five Miles
24 | Barrett Strong | Money (That's What I Want)
25 | The Temptations | Ain't Too Proud To Beg
26 | The Supremes | Baby Love
27 | Jimmy Ruffin | What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
28 | The Marvelettes | Please Mr. Postman
29 | The Supremes | Stop! In The Name Of Love
30 | The Jackson 5 | I'll Be There
User avatar
Honorio
Higher Ground
Posts: 4481
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:38 am
Location: L'Eliana, Valencia, Spain

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Honorio »

Only time for a quick Top 10:



1 | Marvin Gaye | What's Going On | Tamla | 1971
2 | The Supremes | Baby Love | Motown | 1964
3 | The Temptations | My Girl | Gordy | 1964
4 | Stevie Wonder | Superstition | Tamla | 1972
5 | The Miracles | The Tracks of My Tears | Tamla | 1965
6 | Marvin Gaye | Let's Get It On | Tamla | 1973
7 | Martha & the Vandellas | Dancing in the Street | Gordy | 1964
8 | Stevie Wonder | Living for the City | Tamla | 1973
9 | Public Enemy | Fight the Power | Motown | 1989
10 | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell |Ain't No Mountain High Enough | Tamla | 1967
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Dave and Honorio are in. Thanks guys!
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

I know andyd1010 had suggested this and has since submitted a ballot, so I'm not convinced it's still of use/interest to anyone, but I've compiled a rundown of all the songs I could identify on AM as being recorded for Motown on the attached document.

This means that just as I may have included entries by pre- or post-Motown acts, I may also have missed tracks that do qualify for the list. If you notice any of these or if there are any improvements/additions that could be made to the list, reach out!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
All I got inside is vacancy!
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

I'm submitting 60 to celebrate the anniversary but also to soften the blow for me if my list has to be snipped to 50 (I couldn't bear to cut more than 10). Oh and I dabbled in yet another label than I'd planned (Mowest) after having forgotten my #52 was a Motown disc!

60. Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want) (1959) [Tamla]
59. The Temptations - I Can't Get Next to You (1969) [Gordy]
58. Erykah Badu - Bag Lady (2000) [Motown]
57. Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough (1970) [Tamla]
56. Bob & Marcia - Young, Gifted and Black (1970) [Tamla]
55. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke (1976) [Tamla]
54. The Temptations - My Girl (1964) [Gordy]
53. Marvin Gaye - Got to Give It Up (1977) [Tamla]
52. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons - The Night (1972) [Mowest]
51. Gladys Knight and The Pips - Help Me Make It Through the Night (1972) [Soul]
50. The Marvelettes - Destination Anywhere (1968) [Tamla]
49. Barbara McNair - You're Gonna Love My Baby (1966) [Motown]
48. The Supremes - Stoned Love (1970) [Motown]
47. Chris Clark - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) (1966) [V.I.P.]
46. Stevie Wonder - Too High (1973) [Tamla]
45. R. Dean Taylor - Indiana Wants Me (1970) [Rare Earth]
44. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need to Get By (1968) [Tamla]
43. The Temptations - Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (1973) [Gordy]
42. Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There (1966) [Motown]
41. The Marvelettes - Too Many Fish in the Sea (1964) [Tamla]
40. The Temptations - Get Ready (1965) [Gordy]
39. Marvin Gaye - You're a Wonderful One (1964) [Tamla]
38. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together (1969) [Motown]
37. Edwin Starr - S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight) (1966) [Tamla]
36. The Velvelettes - He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' (1964) [V.I.P.]
35. Martha & The Vandellas - (Love Is Like a) Heatwave (1963) [Gordy]
34. Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (Jammin') (1980) [Tamla]
33. Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y. (1993) [Motown]
32. Mary Wells - My Guy (1964) [Motown]
31. Stevie Wonder - Have a Talk with God (1976) [Tamla]
30. Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted (1966) [Soul]
29. Stevie Wonder - You Haven't Done Nothin' (1974) [Tamla]
28. Kim Weston - Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) (1965) [Motown]
27. Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) (1965) [Soul]
26. Diana Ross - Upside Down (1980) [Motown]
25. Stevie Wonder - Living for the City (1973) [Tamla]
24. The Contours - First I Look at the Purse (1965) [Gordy]
23. The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (1969) [Motown]
22. The Miracles - The Tracks of My Tears (1965) [Tamla]
21. Edwin Starr - War (1970) [Gordy]
20. Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (1965) [Motown]
19. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Second That Emotion (1967) [Motown]
18. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1968) [Tamla]
17. Martha & The Vandellas - Nowhere to Run (1965) [Gordy]
16. Edwin Starr - Twenty-Five Miles (1969) [Gordy]
15. Marvin Gaye - Abraham, Martin and John (1970) [Tamla]
14. The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You (1966) [V.I.P.]
13. R. Dean Taylor - There's a Ghost in My House (1967) [V.I.P.]
12. Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing in the Street (1964) [Gordy]
11. Marvin Gaye - Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (1969) [Tamla]
10. The Supremes - Come See About Me (1964) [Motown]
9. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears of a Clown (1967) [Tamla]
8. The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) (1966) [Tamla]
7. The Velvelettes - Needle in a Haystack (1964) [V.I.P.]
6. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go (1964) [Motown]
5. Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing (1973) [Tamla]
4. The Undisputed Truth - Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) (1970) [Gordy]
3. Kim Weston - Helpless (1966) [Motown]
2. Brenda Holloway - Every Little Bit Hurts (1964) [Tamla]
1. The Temptations - Cloud Nine (1968) [Gordy]
All I got inside is vacancy!
User avatar
andyd1010
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1798
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2016 12:08 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by andyd1010 »

Thanks mileswide. But I got an error message saying the file has unreadable content, is corrupt and can't be opened.
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

andyd1010 wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:24 am Thanks mileswide. But I got an error message saying the file has unreadable content, is corrupt and can't be opened.
Bloody Open Office! Hopefully pdf works better...
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
All I got inside is vacancy!
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Excellent ballot, Miles. However, #37 had to be eliminated as it was not originally released on a Motown label. It was on Ric Tic, a couple of years before Gordy bought the label out and made it part of Motown. I moved everything below it up one slot, so #50 is now "Help Me Make It Through The Night."
User avatar
andyd1010
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1798
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2016 12:08 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by andyd1010 »

Thanks, looks like I didn't have any big omissions on mine.
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A BALLOT IS SUNDAY OCT 20 AT MIDNIGHT ET.
diezcielos
Are You Experienced?
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2018 1:07 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by diezcielos »

1 | Teena Marie | Square Biz
2 | Martha and The Vandellas | Nowhere to Run
3 | Marvin Gaye | Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
4 | Carl Bean | I Was Born This Way
5 | Teena Marie | It Must Be Magic
6 | Frank Wilson | Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
7 | Teena Marie | I Need Your Lovin'
8 | Marvin Gaye | Got to Give It Up (Part 1 & 2)
9 | The Supremes | Baby Love
10 | Martha and The Vandellas | Dancing in the Street
11 | Marvin Gaye | What's Going On
12 | Four Tops | Baby I Need Your Loving
13 | DeBarge | I Like It
14 | Marvin Gaye | I Want You
15 | The Supremes | Where Did Our Love Go
16 | The Marvelettes | Please Mr. Postman
17 | The Miracles | The Tracks of My Tears
18 | Dazz Band | Let It Whip
19 | The Supremes | You Keep Me Hangin' On
20 | The Temptations | My Girl
21 | Martha and The Vandellas | Jimmy Mack
22 | The Supremes | Come See About Me
23 | Stevie Wonder | Uptight (Everything's Alright)
24 | Marvin Gaye | Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
25 | Rick James | Mary Jane
26 | Diana Ross | Love Hangover
27 | Sister Love | Give Me Your Love
28 | Willie Hutch | Brother's Gonna Work It Out
29 | Diana Ross | Upside Down
30 | Smokey Robinson | Cruisin'
31 | Rick James | Cold Blooded
32 | Eddie Kendricks | He's a Friend
33 | The Contours | Just a Little Misunderstanding
34 | Mary Jane Girls | Candy Man
35 | The Temptations | Get Ready
36 | Four Tops | Standing in the Shadows of Love
37 | Marvin Gaye | When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
38 | The Miracles | Ooo Baby Baby
39 | Mary Jane Girls | In My House
40 | Jr. Walker & the All Stars | Shotgun
41 | Willie Hutch | I Choose You
42 | Martha and The Vandellas | Heat Wave
43 | Four Tops | I Can't Help Myself
44 | The Miracles | You've Really Got a Hold on Me
45 | Mary Jane Girls | Boys
46 | Four Tops | Reach Out I'll Be There
47 | The Supremes | Stop! In the Name of Love
48 | Marvin Gaye | Ain't That Peculiar
49 | Mary Wells | My Guy
50 | The Jackson 5 | I Want You Back
Last edited by diezcielos on Mon Sep 30, 2019 3:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

diezcielos wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:05 pm 1 | Teena Marie | Square Biz
2 | Martha and The Vandellas | Nowhere to Run
3 | Marvin Gaye | Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
4 | Carl Bean | I Was Born This Way
5 | Teena Marie | It Must Be Magic
6 | Frank Wilson | Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
7 | Teena Marie | I Need Your Lovin'
8 | Marvin Gaye | Got to Give It Up (Part 1 & 2)
9 | The Supremes | Baby Love
10 | Martha and The Vandellas | Dancing in the Street
11 | Marvin Gaye | What's Going On
12 | Four Tops | Baby I Need Your Loving
13 | DeBarge | I Like It
14 | Marvin Gaye | I Want You
15 | The Supremes | Where Did Our Love Go
16 | The Marvelettes | Please Mr. Postman
17 | The Miracles | The Tracks of My Tears
18 | Dazz Band | Let It Whip
20 | The Supremes | You Keep Me Hangin' On
21 | The Temptations | My Girl
22 | Martha and The Vandellas | Jimmy Mack
23 | The Supremes | Come See About Me
24 | Stevie Wonder | Uptight (Everything's Alright)
25 | Marvin Gaye | Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
26 | Rick James | Mary Jane
27 | Diana Ross | Love Hangover
28 | Sister Love | Give Me Your Love
29 | Willie Hutch | Brother's Gonna Work It Out
30 | Diana Ross | Upside Down
31 | Smokey Robinson | Cruisin'
32 | Rick James | Cold Blooded
33 | Eddie Kendricks | He's a Friend
34 | The Contours | Just a Little Misunderstanding
35 | Mary Jane Girls | Candy Man
36 | The Temptations | Get Ready
37 | Four Tops | Standing in the Shadows of Love
38 | Marvin Gaye | When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
39 | The Miracles | Ooo Baby Baby
40 | Mary Jane Girls | In My House
41 | Jr. Walker & the All Stars | Shotgun
42 | Willie Hutch | I Choose You
43 | Martha and The Vandellas | Heat Wave
44 | Four Tops | I Can't Help Myself
45 | The Miracles | You've Really Got a Hold on Me
46 | Mary Jane Girls | Boys
47 | Four Tops | Reach Out I'll Be There
48 | The Supremes | Stop! In the Name of Love
49 | Marvin Gaye | Ain't That Peculiar
50 | Mary Wells | My Guy
There's no #19. Should I move everything up one slot, or do you have a #19 that you forgot to put in the post?
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by mileswide »

Hymie wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 3:09 pm Excellent ballot, Miles. However, #37 had to be eliminated as it was not originally released on a Motown label. It was on Ric Tic, a couple of years before Gordy bought the label out and made it part of Motown. I moved everything below it up one slot, so #50 is now "Help Me Make It Through The Night."
Thanks Hymie- I know you don't hand out plaudits lightly, so I must've done something right! I was conscious of SOS being on Ric-Tic but it was distributed in Europe on Motown, even before the takeover; I was hoping I could get away with that loophole? It's ok if not, it would just be nice to have 3 Edwin Starr songs on my list, him having spent his final years in my hometown and all...
All I got inside is vacancy!
User avatar
Miguel
Unquestionable Presence
Posts: 517
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:13 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Miguel »

1. The Tracks of My Tears - Miracles
2. Baby I Need Your Lovin' - Four Tops
3. Tears of a Clown - Miracles
4. Nowhere to Run - Martha & The Vandellas
5. You Can't Hurry Love - Supremes
6. Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Temptations
7. Get Ready - Temptations
8. If I Were a Carpenter - Four Tops
9. Baby Love - Supremes
10. Walk Away Renée - Four Tops
11. River Deep Mountain High - Four Tops and The Supremes
12. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) - Four Tops
13. It's The Same Old Song - Four Tops
14. Bernadette - Four Tops
15. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
16. Reach Out I'll Be There - Four Tops
17. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
18. 7-Rooms of Gloom - Four Tops
19. Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
20. Uptight (Everything Is All Right) - Stevie Wonder
21. Dancing in the Street - Martha & The Vandellas
22. Where Did Our Love Go? - Supremes
23. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
24. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
25. I Wish It Would Rain - Temptations
26. Going to a Go-Go - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
27. Pastime Paradise - Stevie Wonder
28. Come See About Me - Supremes
29. Cloud Nine - Temptations
30. Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life) - Four Tops
31. Do What You Gotta Do - Four Tops
32. I’ll Be Doggone - Marvin Gaye
33. Yesterday Dreams - Four Tops
34. Pride & Joy - Marvin Gaye
35. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
36. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
37. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) - Temptations
38. Standing in the Shadows of Love - Four Tops
39. Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
40. You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
41. Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) - Temptations
42. I’m In A Different World - Four Tops
43. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
44. I Can’t Get Next To You -Temptations
45. Part Time Lover - Stevie Wonder
46. I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever) - Stevie Wonder
47. You've Really Got A Hold On Me - Miracles
48. Do You Love Me - The Contours
49. As - Stevie Wonder
50. (Love Is Like a) Heat Wave - Martha & The Vandellas
User avatar
fasbjd
Wannabe
Posts: 126
Joined: Mon May 21, 2018 6:21 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by fasbjd »

1. Stevie Wonder - Superstition
2. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
3. Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
4. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
5. Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
6. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Going To A Go-Go
7. Supremes - You Keep Me Hanging On
8. Temptations - I Can't Get Next To You
9. Dazz - Let It Whip
10. Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
11. Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go?
12. Isley Brothers - This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
13. Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
14. Commodores - Machine Gun
15. Temptations - Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)
16. Gladys Knight & the Pips - Friendship Train
17. Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - Nowhere to Run
18. Four Tops - Its The Same Old Song
19. Commodores - Look What You Done To Me
20. Contours - Do You Love Me?
21. Public Enemy - Fight The Power
22. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
23. Stevie Wonder - Living For the City
24. Edwin Starr - Twenty-Five Miles
25. Marvin Gaye - That's The Way Love Is
26. Temptations - Get Ready
27. Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby
28. Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There
29. Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg
30. Jackson 5 - I'll Be There
Last edited by fasbjd on Mon Sep 30, 2019 3:05 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Zombeels
Different Class
Posts: 320
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2015 5:21 am

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Zombeels »

For clarification, the album S.F. Sorrow by the Pretty Things was originally released in 1968 on Columbia in the UK and the rest of Europe but a year later the Rare Earth label released it in the US and Canada. Is this considered eligible?
diezcielos
Are You Experienced?
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2018 1:07 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by diezcielos »

Hymie wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:21 pm
diezcielos wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:05 pm 1 | Teena Marie | Square Biz
2 | Martha and The Vandellas | Nowhere to Run
3 | Marvin Gaye | Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
4 | Carl Bean | I Was Born This Way
...
47 | Four Tops | Reach Out I'll Be There
48 | The Supremes | Stop! In the Name of Love
49 | Marvin Gaye | Ain't That Peculiar
50 | Mary Wells | My Guy
There's no #19. Should I move everything up one slot, or do you have a #19 that you forgot to put in the post?
fixed, sorry
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Zombeels wrote: Mon Sep 30, 2019 2:43 pm For clarification, the album S.F. Sorrow by the Pretty Things was originally released in 1968 on Columbia in the UK and the rest of Europe but a year later the Rare Earth label released it in the US and Canada. Is this considered eligible?
No
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

diezcielos wrote: Mon Sep 30, 2019 3:19 pm
Hymie wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:21 pm
diezcielos wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:05 pm 1 | Teena Marie | Square Biz
2 | Martha and The Vandellas | Nowhere to Run
3 | Marvin Gaye | Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
4 | Carl Bean | I Was Born This Way
...
47 | Four Tops | Reach Out I'll Be There
48 | The Supremes | Stop! In the Name of Love
49 | Marvin Gaye | Ain't That Peculiar
50 | Mary Wells | My Guy
There's no #19. Should I move everything up one slot, or do you have a #19 that you forgot to put in the post?
fixed, sorry
Okay.
Hymie
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3330
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Hymie »

Okay, fas and Miguel are in.
User avatar
Akhenaten
Unquestionable Presence
Posts: 625
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2018 1:53 pm
Location: UK

Re: Best Motown Songs

Post by Akhenaten »

1. 1972 | The Temptations | Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
2. 1970 | Edwin Starr | War
3. 1976 | Stevie Wonder | Sir Duke
4. 1970 | Diana Ross | Ain't No Mountain High Enough
5. 1964 | The Velvelettes | Needle In A Haystack
6. 1973 | The Temptations | Masterpiece
7. 1966 | The Isley Brothers | This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
8. 1967 | The Supremes | The Happening
9. 1967 | R. Dean Taylor | There's A Ghost In My House
10. 1970 | Stevie Wonder | Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours
11. 1968 | Diana Ross & The Supremes | Love Child
12. 1969 | The Temptations | Psychedelic Shack
13. 1972 | Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons | The Night
14. 1965 | Martha & The Vandellas | Nowhere To Run
15. 1964 | The Marvelettes | Too Many Fish In The Sea
16. 1972 | Stevie Wonder | Superstition
17. 1959 | Barrett Strong | Money (That's What I Want)
18. 1960 | Smokey Robinson & The Miracles | Shop Around
19. 1968 | The Temptations | Cloud Nine
20. 1962 | The Contours | Do You Love Me
21. 1967 | Smokey Robinson & The Miracles | The Tears Of A Clown
22. 1970 | Gladys Knight & The Pips | If I Were Your Woman
23. 1968 | Stevie Wonder | For Once In My Life
24. 1963 | Martha & The Vandellas | (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave
25. 1973 | Stevie Wonder | Living For The City
26. 1967 | Diana Ross & The Supremes | Reflections
27. 1970 | The Temptations | Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)
28. 1968 | Diana Ross & The Supremes And The Temptations | I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
29. 1972 | The Temptations | Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)
30. 1970 | Bob & Marcia | Young, Gifted And Black
31. 1965 | Frank Wilson | Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
32. 1968 | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | You're All I Need To Get By
33. 1968 | Marvin Gaye | I Heard It Through The Grapevine
34. 1971 | Four Tops | A Simple Game
35. 1961 | The Marvelettes | Please Mr. Postman
36. 1963 | Martha & The Vandellas | Quicksand
37. 1967 | Four Tops | 7 Rooms Of Gloom
38. 1967 | Martha & The Vandellas | Jimmy Mack
39. 1976 | Stevie Wonder | I Wish
40. 1970 | Diana Ross | Remember Me
41. 1967 | Brenda Holloway | You've Made Me So Very Happy
42. 1965 | Smokey Robinson & The Miracles | Going To A Go-Go
43. 1969 | The Jackson 5 | I Want You Back
44. 1976 | Stevie Wonder | As
45. 1975 | Michael Jackson | One Day In Your Life
46. 1991 | Shanice | I Love Your Smile
47. 1972 | The Spinners | Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
48. 1980 | Diana Ross | My Old Piano
49. 1966 | Jr. Walker & The All Stars | (I'm A) Road Runner
50. 1971 | The Jackson 5 | Never Can Say Goodbye
But I was caught, like a fleeting thought,
Stuck inside Leonard Cohen's mind
Post Reply

Return to “Music, Music, Music...”