As ITV are planning a special documentary this summer to find the Nation's favourite Motown song we thought it might be interesting to do a Soul Source version.
All we need is just the title & artist of one track & if you want a brief description as to why.
Know it's not an easy task to narrow it down to 1 track as there are so many to choose from but massive lists will just be a nightmare.

The thread will run for about 2 weeks & then we'll do the totting up & announce the results.

Be interesting to see how the 2 polls compare.

 

Away you go.

Isley Brothers, This old heart of mine. Superrrrb.

This would be the one for me. Are there any other versions as i thought it was earmarked for the four tops .

Temptations 'I wish it would rain'

This would be the one for me. Are there any other versions as i thought it was earmarked for the four tops .

 

Tammi Terrell on Motown 45.

 

Regards,

 

Dave

Isley Brothers - Why When Love Is Gone.  Top tune.

So many different choices already and it's only just begun.

 

 

Who has the job of totting them all up ?     

So many different choices already and it's only just begun.

 

 

Who has the job of totting them all up ?     

Me & Mike unless you want to volunteer Tony    

Seemed a good idea at the time

Temptations i want a love i can see. Great intro.

Me & Mike unless you want to volunteer Tony    

Seemed a good idea at the time

 

Thanks, but no thanks, only a part timer, a couple of hours each night does me,

 

you gonna be at it ages.  

I hear a symphony by Stevie Wonder. Unbelievable performance from Stevie.

Hate me if you want.

 

But I vote for I Want You Back by the Jackson Five.

 

I love hundreds of other Motown tunes. But I have never heard IWYB in the last 44 years without thinking - that is the most perfectly crafted intro, and possibly the best pop song,  EVER!

 

Sorry but that's just me . . . . .  

You forget how many great records there are on this label...it's reminded me...great thread...thank you very much..for me it will always be..just ask the lonely..but loving being reminded of so many fantastic records....keep them coming every one, not been a bad tune mentioned yet...thank you again...Rob

There were too many perfect Motown recorded songs to pick just one.  I'll say "Ask The Lonely" by The Four Tops -today.  Tomorrow it might be "Crying In The Night" by The Monitors. or "Truly Yours" by The Spinners, or "A Tear From A Woman's Eye" by The Temptations, or "My Girl", or "All I Do(Is Think About You" by Tammi Terrell, or "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)" by The Isley Brothers, or "Suspicion" by The Originals, or "I'll Always Love You" by The Spinners, or "My Beloved" by The Satintones, or "I'll Come Running" by Carolyn Crawford.....or....

There were too many perfect Motown recorded songs to pick just one.  I'll say "Ask The Lonely" by The Four Tops -today.  Tomorrow it might be "Crying In The Night" by The Monitors. or "Truly Yours" by The Spinners, or "A Tear From A Woman's Eye" by The Temptations, or "My Girl", or "All I Do(Is Think About You" by Tammi Terrell, or "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)" by The Isley Brothers, or "Suspicion" by The Originals, or "I'll Always Love You" by The Spinners, or "My Beloved" by The Satintones, or "I'll Come Running" by Carolyn Crawford.....or....

That's exactly what I was thinking but couldn't think how to put it in words....fantastic..so many that were great, and written perfectly..mr rob k..thank you....Rob

Always loved Kim Weston, "I'm Still Loving You".

 

Paul

Marvin Gaye - Little Darlin'. Can still remember the first time I heard it at the Casino in Blackpool and

never get tired listening or dancing to it.

This would be the one for me. Are there any other versions as i thought it was earmarked for the four tops .

   The Supremes also did the song on their "Supremes A Go Go" album.

    

    I'm not sure if I could narrow down my choices to 10 Motown songs let alone one!

Four Tops " Ask the lonely", a superb song, often copied never bettered.

 

I can listen to this song a hundred times in a row and still find something new in it such is the power of the emotion when Levi sings !

 

Robx

Rob. Your so right. I was torn between this and the originals. Awesome tune that reduces grown men to quivering emotional wrecks. Steve

Temptations...just my imagination, faultless vocals from Eddie..

 

I'm going for this too.

 

For the vocal AND the whole productiion. Beautiful.

 

But even more than that for me. It was a hot record in the summer of 1971. By then it felt like the Golden Age of 60's soul was gone forever and then a diamond like this came along.

 

I was 19 years old. Girls would melt in your arms if you got a slow dance to this record.

 

All in all a preferred destination for me when that first time machine gets invented.

I was 15' and just learning what to do with them...lol

Just walk away renee for me

 

Edited March 30, 201411 yr by sceneman

Another vote for 'ask the lonely' here.

 

Seemed a good idea at the time

so did marrying the ex and look where that got me

got to say every post i'ma thinking yes thats the one, then read next and think top tune just because most are common/not rare they don't get play out as often as they may warrant it's to late to night but it's a motown night tomorrow

nice early one

eddie Holland -jamie

one more

Harvey-anyway you wanta

Edited March 30, 201411 yr by algsoul

My girl the temps cranking tune

As Rob said,"for today" mine is live version of Marvelettes "Locking Up My Heart" from Live At The Apollo LP.I saw them do it live at the Uptown in Philly in 1964 and they tore it up.

Stevie - " Nothing's too good for my baby". So fresh !

Isleys - " Tell me its just a rumour ". A barnstormer of a dance record !

Supremes - " Nathan Jones ". So atmospheric and without the Diva 'One Note' Ross.

Thelma - " Don't leave me this way " Wow !

Bobby - " So many sides of you "  Modern Northern Soul memories - not a 'kin backdrop in sight !

   The Supremes also did the song on their "Supremes A Go Go" album.

    

    I'm not sure if I could narrow down my choices to 10 Motown songs let alone one!

I'm not sure I could narrow down to 100.  If I remember correctly, counting vinyl unreleased, there are more than 100 perfect recordings to my taste.  And, if I had to lose THEM, or my top 100 of all other music for the rest of my life, I'd have a hard time deciding, and probably chose to lose all other music, and be able to hear my top 100 Motown songs for the rest of my life.

Isley Brothers - Why When Love Is Gone.  Top tune.

me too, superb .

Great thread,I wish I hadn't read the thing so far without first stating my choice as so many fine records have bern mentioned,I'll go with the first one that popped into my head at the start,Contours Little Misunderstanding.Reason, I think it was the first Motown track I heard played other than on the radio in a club,can still picture that night to this day.

Edited March 31, 201411 yr by Twoshoes

My vote is for The Temptations - I Know I'm Losing You. Gritty soul music at its best.

Edited April 1, 201411 yr by autumnstoned

You can not have so many sides its not Motown ;)

frank Wilson...

 

seriously though it would have to be originals for me too....so whats the story why on earth wasn't it released?

As ITV are planning a special documentary this summer to find the Nation's favourite Motown song we thought it might be interesting to do a Soul Source version.

All we need is just the title & artist of one track & if you want a brief description as to why.

Know it's not an easy task to narrow it down to 1 track as there are so many to choose from but massive lists will just be a nightmare.

The thread will run for about 2 weeks & then we'll do the totting up & announce the results.

Be interesting to see how the 2 polls compare.

 

Away you go.

 

Has to be "Lonely, lonely girl am I" by the Velvelettes. The arrangements and production are just so awesome, guaranteed to fill any dance-floor. Gets my vote every time.

that would be my second choice..love it

For me it's Chris Clark - Love's Gone Bad...

Brenda Holloway - You've made me so very happy

OR

The Supremes - Stoned Love

 

OR OR OR          

This would be the one for me(This old heart of mine) . Are there any other versions as i thought it was earmarked for the four tops .

 

Supremes, I do believe it was written for them.

Can't help smiling and moving to SOS - Edwin Starr every time I hear it

i think Jimmy Mac will win it by a mile though

my choices are LAURA LEE  To win your heart or Edwin Starr MY WEAKNESS IS YOU both awesome

I haven't looked through this thread yet to see other people's offerings, I wanted to put mine first before before influenced by other choices as I am very easily led.

 

so my choice would be

 

Marvin Gaye - One More Heartache

 

 

 

I shall now go back through the thread and see what others think

 

atb 

Andy

 

"You can not have so many sides its not Motown"

Caught out on SS, on a technicality ! Dave strokes chin, vows to learn the difference between 'recorded' and 'distributed'

 

 

Edited March 31, 201411 yr by Dave Ward

The Four Tops - Ask The Lonely

Levi's voice has never carried more emotion.

Wonderful performance.

played first on the bev Glenn LP it was a few years later the UK 45 came out

Not sure why anyone hasn't actually voted for Frank Wilson, I've heard it as many times as This Old Heart Of Mine but they are both still stunning.

My vote is for Carolyn Crawford - Forget About Me.

Impossible to narrow it down,and find myself agreeing with so many of the choices.But i'll add a couple .

 

Smokey & the Miracles - Just losing you.

Marvin & Tammi - What you gave me.

Jnr Walker & All Stars - Gotta hold onto this feeling.

Marvin Gaye, This Love Starved Heart Of Mine (It's Killing Me). What a title!

Closely followed by Ain't That Pecular, never get tired of either.

Also most anything by The Supremes, I Hear A Symphony/Touch Me In The Morning/I'm Still Waiting, all just great.

billy eckstine - I wonder why

 

temptations - say you & fading away

Edited March 31, 201411 yr by russoul1

Not many Jr Walker tracks mentioned - his version of These things will keep me loving you has been favourite for a while. Mind you it will be another artist and track soon