Posted on 02/07/2020 12:52:32 PM PST by rktman
It is difficult to think of a more impossible task than attempting to rate the 60 all-time greatest Motown songs. Founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy, not only has the label — originally a small independent out of Detroit — spawned more classics in the 60 years since its launch than many corporate-giant-owned major record companies, who’s to say whether the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” is “better” than such drastically different songs as Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me,” Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke,” the Temptations’ “Just My Imagination,” the Commodores’ “Brick House” or Motown-affiliated Migos’ “Bad and Boujee”?
Despite it all, in honor of the label’s 60th anniversary in 2019, Variety‘s music staff dug deep into its collective hearts and minds — because like much of America, all of us grew up on Motown songs — and after some good-natured arguing, assembled a list that includes most of the label’s classic artists and many of its distributed or subsidiary labels (a category that ranges from early imprints including Tamla, Anna and Gordy to the present-day, with Atlanta-based Quality Control). While this list may not be definitive — what could be? — we’re confident that it hits the mark more often than not. There’s a certain Motown magic that all of these songs have: Like Stevie sings in “Sir Duke,” “Just because a record has a groove/ Don’t make it in the groove… ”
(Excerpt) Read more at getpocket.com ...
Alas...I had to move back to The People’s Republic of Massachusetts back in 2015, and now I’m stuck here.
BUT...MA needs more conservatives so I will bloom where I am planted!
I used to live in Margate, work in Boca.
And “Poppa was a rolling stone”. First two notes and you know. So simple but so good. Message before it’s time. Lots of stuff going on. Awesome arrangement musically.
I was in Memphis on business and had a day before my meetings. I came to the conclusion this area was ground zero of American music: Bluegrass. Country. Gospel. Blues. Jazz. Pop. Rock. Stax and Sun Records. Elvis. Gibson Guitars....
My parents were good friends of Junior Parker, blues artist.
He lived in west Memphis, Arkansas.
He died suddenly in 1971 from complications of brain surgery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Parker
nah, that award would have to go to the O’Jays “For the Love of Money. https://youtu.be/GXE_n2q08Yw
About 8 years ago I was managing a job for the Nashville airport. What a great time. Little band stands around the airport and people coming and going hoping to be discovered. People would just play and sing while waiting for their flight.
There’s about a three hour long story of the Temptations on tv every so often. It’s so good and they play their songs throughout the movie. Well cast too.
mark
Lots of Smokey Robinson songs to choose from: Just a few,
..You’ve really got a hold on me!
..Tracks of my tears.
..Tears of a clown.
..Well, I’ve got two lovers, & I ain’t ashamed!
Seen it more than once. Sad what fame and fortune and ‘temptation’ can do.
The intro to Layla is pretty iconic.....................We just love Eric Clapner!....................
Everything.
Everything.
CKLW! WKNR - Keener-13!
Your link says the video is unavailable???
I was talking bass intros
Loved Motown. Had a good beat and you could dance to it! (Still do)
I know, I was just sayin’..................
Although “Walk in the Night” by Jr Walker and the All Stars is not danceable because of the syncopation. One of my favorites, though.
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