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.

Yes. Full of strut and sass.

I'm late to this thread. Delighted that Tracks of my tears has been mentioned loads.
Tears of a clown

Not Motown but four tops inspired and theme of yet more tears...
Listen to the lyrics of Levi Stubbs Tears - Billy Bragg. I played this endlessly as a teen. Heartbreaking.

Love this! Got a long deive this weekend, you're all inspiring me to make a playlist. So many I love on here!

Just thinking of "summer breeze" by the Isleys gives me goosebumps! So atmospheric, paints incredibly vivid pictures in my head.

Also not necessarily my all time favourite but possibly a supremes song? Called "Automatically sunshine" maybe? For the wonderful couplet

"No road is too rough to travel
We'll walk barefoot on life's gravel"

Takes me right back to being young, idealistic and in love!

My favourites are "I don't know I love you" Stevie Wonder- very dark and powerful
And " I've got to use my imagination" Gladys Knight, love the pumping beat and energy.

I don't know why I love you, that should be!

Nice to see lots of Smokey love!
Don't think anyone's mentioned "I second that Emotion" yet... thats probably my favourite SRatM song.

All I do, Stevie Wonder. Released in 1980 but written in 1966 so probably still classifies as Motown era. Its a great track.

I was brought up on a diet of Motown and it has really influenced the rest of my musical taste for soul, funk, disco, RnB.

@TheDogsMother

All I do, Stevie Wonder. Released in 1980 but written in 1966 so probably still classifies as Motown era. Its a great track.

I was brought up on a diet of Motown and it has really influenced the rest of my musical taste for soul, funk, disco, RnB.

Me too, I’ve only recently discovered Tammi Terrells version of All I Do, on YouTube, her vocal is amazing, so languid and soulful, can’t think why they didn’t release it at the time.

Isley Brothers - My Love is Your Love is another favourite

Chairman of the Board, Give me just a little more time. Not strictly Motown but..

Invictus, wasn't it?

Love it.

@Karinator I've never heard that version and it's amazing. So Stevie Wonder wrote it for Tammi in 1966 then released it himself in 1980.

Bernadette by the Four Tops

In fact ... most stuff by the Four Tops.

Hitsville is brilliant. Thank you.

'Automatically Sunshine' is one of the better Supremes records - written by Smokey Robinson. 'Nathan Jones' is equally good. Whoever took on lead vocals from Diana Ross sounded more than a little like her, which I suppose was no coincidence.

What's Goin' On? by Marvin Gaye
Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology) by Marvin Gaye
Ball of Confusion by The Temptations
Ooh, Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
Super Freak by Rick James

@Blueberrycreampie

Summer Breeze The Isley Brothers (Seals and Croft).

Summer Breeze is definitely one of my favorite songs ever.
However, Seals and Croft did it originally and the Isley Brothers recorded their version in '74 but they weren't Motown artists then. They quit the label in the late 60's.

In order to 'save' this, I have to post, so sorry! I'm late 50s and just discovering Motown. Thanks everyone.

What becomes of the brokenhearted - Jimmy ruffin I think.
Walk away from love - David ruffin.

Ah WildRosie didn't know that but it makes sense - love Smokey Robinson's music too

Percy Sledge 'When a Man Loves a Woman' is it Motown? Love it anyway!

Percy Skis - sorry, Sledge - was on Atlantic Records.

Smokey Robinson was on the board of Motown (I think) so readily wrote songs and produced for other roster artistes, e.g. Mary Wells with My Guy. He also had his own career with The Miracles to watch over. Busy fellow.

Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.
For the Queen's silver Jubilee in, I think, 1977 we had a street party with mostly Motown stuff played. I'll always remember dancing in the street to the actual song.
I also love Nathan Jones by the Supremes. Much better than the flat, blah Bananarama version.
My Guy - Mary Wells.
Heard it through the Grapevine - Marvin
Tears of a clown - Smokey

It could be argued that Dancing In The Street is the Motown signature song.

I must give an honourable mention to 'When You're Young And In Love' by The Marvelettes. Fantastic song from Van McCoy.