Jump to content

Soul Source Favourite Motown Song


Cunnie

Recommended Posts

So many great records from the Motown stable including all those already mentioned, but my favourite every time has to be Temptations - Papa Was a Rolling Stone I could listen to the intro over and over, but then the vocals start and for me I'm off to record heaven

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

  • 1 month later...
Guest Motown Junkies

To me, the thing that made Motown the greatest label there's ever been is the depth - the hits are as good as the obscure singles which are as good as the B-sides which are as good as the album tracks which are as good as the tonnes of unreleased stuff that's since come out. 

 

It's impossible to pick just one - I tried that and ended up with a top 50, any of which might be my favourite on a given day, and even that involved all kinds of really tough choices (and has led to fights breaking out over on my blog).

 

I'd have no problem with the eventual winner being almost anything that's been mentioned.

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Motown Junkies

(If you want a graphic illustration - and this is not meant to be a plug, just an example of how deep this goes! - I have a radio show where I only play Motown. Other than a couple of requests, and one mistake where I cued up the wrong song, I haven't repeated a single track yet - and I've just finished recording hour 26. I don't think I've once played anything that's less than golden. And there are loads of big hits and top tunes, including half the things in this thread, I've not even touched on yet. Quite literally, you can't beat Motown.)

Link to comment
Social source share


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 !

 

Rob

 

As this has been chosen by the masses and is my 1st choice also.

I must therefore go for the flip side "where did you go".    Equally as awesome in my opinion.

 

In fact all their early 45's from their 1st album have the Andantes as backing vocals - I hope I am correct in saying.

AND, off the album "don't turn away" is truly memorable.

 

Cheers.................          Tom.  Banbury.

Edited by Becket
Link to comment
Social source share

For me it just has to be the Isley Bros,Tell me it's just a rumour. The vocals,the backing,the tempo, an absolutely brilliant dancer, even though I struggle these days.

Regards Fred.

Edited by Mr Fred
  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Guest MBarrett

I've already had 2 choices above, but right up there with them is Throw a Farewell Kiss by the Velvelettes. So full of angst that it virtually drips off the vinyl. :yes:

 

Going off topic for a second I read the other day that only one Motown single has ever sold more than 1 million records in the U.K. That was Stevie Wonder's "I Called to Say I Loved You". It sold a massive 1.86 million copies which made it the 12th highest selling U.K. single ever. That did surprise me a bit.

Link to comment
Social source share

Mr.Wigley just pipped me to the post with admirable suggestion. For me there is no contest as Ask The Lonely is my all time favourite song, period.

 

I have an interview with Levi Stubbs recorded in the late 60s and he states that the records that the Four Tops make are timeless. Well I wonder what he would think if he were still here with us today. Probably " I told you so "

 

Kev

Link to comment
Social source share

A very wise SS member once said you can judge the quality and good taste of a person's soul collection by the amount of Motown in it.

This has been a really great thread. There's a very high chance that I will love the number one tune!....Happy days.

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest turntableterra

THE CONTOURS..................  WHOLE LOTTA A WOMAN.

 

 

 

DONT FORGET THE INCREDIBLE FLY BY NIGHT ON FRIDAY.....................   ROCKING TO THIS GREAT MUSIC TOO

Edited by turntableterra
Link to comment
Social source share

Guest CapitolSC

Well this one would never get a mention but it sure is a Tasty Tune

to rival anything released on the labels

 

Link to comment
Social source share

heres a summary of all the members nominations

note the comments at the end

 

 
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Oldsoulgit
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Dave Harrison
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Rob Wigley
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Jenko
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Kevin Jones
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Lionelonthevinyl
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Jazz 
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Soulhawk1960 
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Tobytyke
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Jam66
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Alan Bonthrone1
Four Tops - Ask the Lonely - Robbk
Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Lovin' - Professorturnups
Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Lovin' - Lorchand 
Four Tops - Can't Seem To Get You Out Of My Mind - codfromderby
Four Tops - Something about You - Saxafone
Four Tops - Where Did You Go - Becket
Four Tops - Reach out - Maslar
Four Tops - Just Walk Away Renee - Sceneman   
Four Tops - Seven Rooms of Gloom - Rarestags 
 
Temptations - My Girl - Night Nurse 
Temptations - My Girl - Aintgotit
Temptations - Get Ready - Big Gordie
Temptations - Get Ready - Carlos63 
Temptations - Just My Imagination - Mbarrett
Temptations - Just My Imagination - Jim Barry 
Temptations - Angel Doll - Speedlimit
Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain - Jimmy Mack
Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain - Dave Rimmer 
Temptations - Don't Look Back - Sambarber
Temptations - Papa Was a Rolling Stone - Jimmyw
Temptations - I Know I'm Losing You - Autumnstoned
Temptations - I Want a Love I Can See mid Tempo
Temptations - Since I Lost My Baby - Stubsy
Temptations - You're Not an Ordinary Girl - Soulfinger 
Temptations - Why Did She Have to Leave Me - Rodders22
Temptations - Witchcraft - CapitolSC
 
Miracles - The Tracks of My Tears - Jaco
Miracles - The Tracks of My Tear - Soulstu
Miracles - Whole Lot of Shakin' in My Heart - Back Street Blue
Miracles - Whole Lot of Shaking - Mark S
Smokey Robinson & Miracles - the Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage - Busybee - Gd
Smokey Robinson & Miracles - the Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage - Steve S 60
Miracles - Save Me - Egosheep
Smokey Robinson & Miracles - More Love - Northern Soul Uk
Smokey Robinson & Miracles  - Just Losing You - Kevh
Smokey Robinson & Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby - Goingtoagoogo
 
Originals - Suspicion - Spacehopper
Originals - Suspicion - Rick Smith 
Originals - Suspicion - Chalky
Originals - Suspicion - Mal C
Originals - Suspicion - Peter99
Originals - Suspicion - Davewapples
Originals - Baby I'm for Real - Winsford Soul
Originals - Baby I'm for Real - Smudger
Originals - I'm Someone Who Cares - 21 Again
 
Marvin Gaye - What's Going on - Soulman58
Marvin Gaye - What's Going on - Mike
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - Addio
Marvin Gaye - I Want You - Polyvelts
Marvin Gaye - One More Heartache - andy Kempster
Marvin Gaye - Little Darlin - Souledtrafford
Marvin Gaye - This Love Starved Heart of Mine (It's Killing Me) - Mrswoodsrules
Marvin Gaye - I'll Be Doggone - Hill868 
Marvin Gaye - Mercy, Mercy, Me - Shawky
 
Isley Brothers - This Old Heart of Mine - Gman
Isley Brothers - This Old Heart of Mine - Johnnybetcha 
 
Isley Brothers - Why When Love Is Gone - Mark D
Isley Brothers - Why When Love Is Gone - Jules 
Isley Brothers - Tell Me It's Just a Rumour - Mr Fred 
Isley Brothers - My Love Is Your Love ( Forever) Isley Brothers - Dave Callard 
 
Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You - Pete60
Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You - Ritchieandrew
Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You - Soulscooter
Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You Wilxy 
 
Velvelettes - These Things Will Keep Me Loving You - Soash
Velvelettes - These Things Will Keep Me Loving You - Dwr 
Velvelettes - Needle in a Haystack - Mr Smithy
Velvelettes - Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I - Chris L
 
Marvelettes - Reachin' for Something I Can't Have - Stateside
Marvelettes - Reachin' for Something I Can't Have - Tommycockle
Marvelettes - Destination Anywhere - Swifty
Marvelettes - I'll Keep Holding on - Alison H
 
Marvin & Tammi - Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Stacys Dad
Marvin & Tammi - Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Hipshaker
Marvin & Tammi - California Soul - Dirk Tiggler 
 
Edwin Starr - Headline News - Backflipboy
Edwin Starr - If My Heart Could Tell the Story - Soulsaddler
Edwin Starr - Sos - Willow 
 
Edwin Starr and Blinky - Ooo Baby Baby - El Corol
 
Stevie Wonder - Uptight - Juniorsoul
Stevie Wonder - I Hear a Symphony - Brianb
Stevie Wonder - Nothing's Too Good for My Baby - Dave Ward
 
Brenda Holloway - You've Made Me so Very Happy - Heisenberg - 
Brenda Holloway - Just Look What You've Done - Southpaw 
Brenda Holloway - Reconsider - Frankie Crocker
 
Tammi Terrell - Lone Lone Lonely Town - Kevinsoulman
Tammi Terrell - All I Do Is Think about You, - Sheldonsoul
Tammi Terrell - Tears at the End of a Love Affair - Toad
 
Kim Weston - Thrill a Moment - Russel Gilbert
Kim Weston - Helpless - Mark Tobin
Kim Weston - I'm Still Loving You - Paul R
 
Junior Walker - What Does It Take - Tony A
Junior Walker - What Does It Take to Win Your Love - Brookesy
 
Gladys Knight - Walk in My Shoes - Winnie
Gladys Knight - No One Could Love You More - Hullsoul
 
Contours - Just a Little Misunderstanding - Twoshoes
Contours - Whole Lotta Woman - Turntableterra
 
Spinners - I'll Always Love You - Ianp
Spinners - It's a Shame - Mike Lofthouse
 
Martha Reeves - No One There - Gogs
Martha Reeves - Heartless - Citizen P
 
Virgil Henry - You Ain't Sayin Nothing New - Incognito
Odyssey - Battened Ships - Cunnie
Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted - Soul16
David Ruffin - Walk Away from Love - Pikeys Dog
Barbara Mcnair - You're Gonna Love My Baby - the Phantom Janitor
Jackson Five - I Want You Back - Mbarrett
Eddie Holland - Jamie - Algsoul
Marvelettes Locking up My Heart (Live) - Recordsnracin 
Chris Clark - Love's Gone Bad - Chippy Minton 
Carolyn Crawford - Forget about Me Pete S 
Billy Eckstine - I Wonder Why - Russoul1 
Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers - does Your Mama Know about Me - Melcyid
 
 
 please note  - these are all members entries,  
 decision was made that all entries were left as is as felt this fitted in with the spirit of the poll
 
 members - if you entered more than one then the first entry was took as your vote
 
 
 
rather than have two places will keep this closed as its all about the votes and ask people to use the article for comments on the results
thanks
mike
 
 

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/words/the-soul-source-favourite-motown-song-result-r2910

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...