Do you have a favourite Motown/Tamla Motown record ?

[WildRosie]

I couldn't name just one as there are so many great songs so I have five, in no particular order:

The Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
If I Were A Carpenter - The Four Tops
I'm Still Waiting - Diana Ross
The Onion Song - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder

If I were forced to choose just one of these five, I think I'd settle for The Tears Of A Clown. It took three years for it to be a UK hit. Motown's finest hour.

Ooh Baby Baby - Smokey Robinson

Band of Gold by Freda Payne

Love Child - Supremes

Working my way back to you. Detroit Spinners

Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Etta James, Dionne Warwick et al. All great but not Motown artistes. Maybe another thread for Soul, Rhythm and Blues is needed but someone else can start that one 😉.

R Dean Taylor, There’s a Ghost in my House
Was the soundtrack to 6th form in the early 80's.

Love Motown. Need to indoctrinate DS

Another vote for Smokey. This time 'You've Really Got a Hold On Me'.

(Loved his Muppets version too.)

Saw Smokey Robinson in Las Vegas in 2001. He still had it.

@WildRosie
I thought so
Jean Knight allowed?
Keep me hanging on is probably my favourite supremes track

Heatwave - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

Needle in a Haystack - The Velvelettes

Both classics guaranteed to have me singing my head off

Jimmy Mack - Martha & The Vandellas.
Reminds me of my 6th form years when my friends and I used to hang out at the local sports centre quite a bit. There was a bar area where they were really strict about not allowing under 18s in, but the jukebox was by the entrance so we used to put music on and then sit outside in the corridor listening. Most of it was chart music ( early 80s ) but there were a few oldies. One of my friends who introduced me to Motown and Northern Soul would put Jimmy Mack on repeatedly. Hearing it takes me right back to Friday night's when I was 16. Happy days!

Midnight train to georgia

Loads of the above, may I add

Automatically sunshine - Supremes
Nowhere to run - Martha Reeves

I love Across 110th Street Bobby Womack, not Motown but similar ilk.

Oh I love Jimmy Mack
It’s in his kiss. Betty Everett

I can’t help being pedantic but some of these are Atlantic not Motown

Anyway i will add my favourite, do you love me by the Contours

“I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations.

"Heatwave" Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
"You're all I need to get by" Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
"Uptight" Stevie Wonder
"Do you love me?" The Contours
"Get Ready" the Temptations

Thanks for this thread, OP! I love Motown music so so much!

[quote RickOShay]@WildRosie
I thought so
Jean Knight allowed?
Keep me hanging on is probably my favourite supremes track[/quote]
Not familiar with Jean Knight - sorry!

Loving this thread!

I have so many favourites.

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
Jackson Five - I want you back
Stevie Wonder - I don't know why I love you
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Tracks of My Tears

@WildRosie
Mr Big Stuff??
You know it Rosie
Google it. I’m sure you’ll like it

The Night - Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons

It's A Shame - The Isley Brothers

One day Love - Tommy Dodson

@Northernsoullover yep loving that Marvin Gaye tune

This is my playlist for tomorrow sorted. Working from home and lots to do

I love Reflections by the supremes - my favourite song for imagining myself on stage and singing and everyone being blown away by my talent (I can't sing in real life!)

Summer Breeze The Isley Brothers (Seals and Croft).

Aint too proud to beg - The Temptations
I'll be around - The Spinners
Wanna be where you are - Jackson 5
Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
War - Edwin Starr
Don't Leave me this way - Thelma Houston
Heaven Must Have sent you - The Elgins
Pain in My Heart - Helene Smith (can't remember if she's Motown)

Although previously mentioned Wish it would rain is my absolute favourite.

I grew up on this as both my parents are huge fans - we were taken to Motown events as kids.