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 ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puM1k-S86nE
Have you by chance seen The O’Jays at Darryl’s (Hall) House? It’s really good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzWRT-PAGQk
Lonely Teardrops...
How on earth the black community shelved this stuff for rap is beyond me.
Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
CKLW?
I’ll check it out. Thanks.
Wow, in my last post I just wondered if you were in that timeframe, not
Knowing you worked in that powerhouse. That had to be done incredible
Marilyn McCoo was a real hottie!
Here you go:
LOL! I think my position was the one under the janitor.
OMG you are so right.
Hard to choose but this is one of my favorites, Bring It On Home to Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZB4jcPmFGo
Still. That place has such a great legacy.
Great song, but they were Stax.
Back in the day the best rock stations in Detroit were W4 102.9, WRIF RIF 101.1 and I don’t have a clue how I remembered WABX 99.5, I moved from that area 30+ years ago and i’m surprised I still remember those stations.
The signal strength from CKLW was so strong I picked it up one night when I was parked in Toronto Ont.
Written by John Fogerty.
Ahh! You are correct!
Thanks. IMHO Davy Ruffin was the best front man they ever had.
I read that you could pick it up in 8 states and 3 provinces
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.