“When it
comes to songs about first love, true love and heartbreak, we go back, again
and again, to a record label that took its heart and soul from Detroit: Motown.
The home
of Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marvin Gaye
and the young Michael Jackson. The music itself is pop rooted in the traditions
of gospel, accompanied by pounding drums, layers of strings and brassy
call-and-response bits. But it's easier just to say "Motown." It's
music that actually sounds like love, and you don't need to speak English or
have grown up in the 1960s for that message to translate.
Here's
the secret all Motown junkies know: The label began by Berry Gordy in a little
house on Detroit's Grand Boulevard had more hit songs, and more talent, than
those four walls could ever hold. And for every hit single crafted by Smokey
Robinson or the crack songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, there were
equally great songs that flopped, and equally talented singers who were
unfairly denied marketing or access to tracks. There were lawsuits, feuds and
falling outs. Even further in the background were session musicians like the
Funk Brothers and background singers like the Andantes who gave their all on
dozens of records before fading into obscurity.
Below,
you can find a collection of little known singles, unreleased tracks and deep
cuts from Hitsville USA's heyday, about 1963 through 1971. Some of these 22
songs come from Motown artists you know and love. Others come from groups that
might be new to you. All of them deserve to be recognized as "lost
classics" of the Motown sound.”
1. The
Monitors, "Time Is Passin' By"
The
original Monitors line-up only released one album in 1968, which collected
three years' worth of songs that Richard Street, Warren Harris, and Sandra and
John Fagin recorded for the label. This foursome had a certain magic together,
as the swing of "Time Is Passin' By" suggests, but Street would go on
to replace Paul Williams in the Temptations during the 1970s, and a new
Monitors lineup would come together in the 1980s. The original group never
found success at Motown, but fame shouldn't have passed them by.
2.
Stevie Wonder, "I Don't Know Why"
"Scandal"
fans may have paused during the epic make-out session between Olivia Pope and
Fitz to ask, "Which Stevie Wonder song is serving as the perfect backdrop
to this relationship train wreck?" The B-side to 1968's "Ma Cherie
Amour," "I Don't Know Why" finds an 18-year-old Wonder playing
the lovesick victim -- but the accompanying guitar riff is all wounded
vengeance. "I Don't Know Why" has been covered by the Jackson 5, the
Brand New Heavies and, most notably, the Rolling Stones, who were practicing it
when they got the news that founding member Brian Jones had died. It will take
one listen for you to wonder why it's not one of your favorite Stevie Wonder
songs.
3. Chris
Clark, "Love's Gone Bad"
A 6-foot
blonde teenager, Clark didn't look like a typical Motown artist. But one spin
of "Love's Gone Bad" shows why the label signed Clark, who's been
called Motown's answer to Dusty Springfield. This rollicking
Holland-Dozier-Holland single only charted at #41 on Billboard, but crazy has
never sounded so compelling. After her Motown career faded away, Clark, a
California girl, didn't stop living a fascinating life. She co-wrote "Lady
Sings the Blues," the Billie Holiday biopic starring Diana Ross, and
married the writer of the Shaft novels. She also photographed the Masai in
Africa and owned a pet cougar. Read more about Clark in the Los Angeles Times.
4. Four
Tops, "Remember When"
We have
to wonder whether the Four Tops, only second to the Temptations in success,
were singing about themselves on this track. The powerhouse songwriting team
Holland-Dozier-Holland had recently quit the Motown label, and the Tops were
working with an assortment of new producers. A dry spell for the singing group
lay ahead on the Billboard charts. The moodiness of "Remember When"
recalls another famous Motown hit, the Four Tops' "Bernadette." Read
more on "Remember When" at Allmusic.
5. Mary
Wells, "Oh Little Boy (What Did You Do To Me)"
Every
Motown fan has heard Mary Wells sing about "My Guy," but most don't
know this standout track, which features an incredible mini-aria from Motown
session singer Liz Lands. "Oh Little Boy" was inexplicably tacked onto
the end of Wells' 1964 "Greatest Hits" record. Despite the operatic
coda, Wells gets the credit for selling this breathtaking number of a woman
slowly going mad over a man she loves and hates at the same time. Motown
doesn't get deeper, or more devastating, than this. Read more at Motown
Junkies.
6. The
Velvelettes, "(We've Got) Honey Love"
Motown
artists were famous for covering each other's songs, along with any other songs
that were current hits. So while Martha & the Vandellas made "(We've
Got) Honey Love," our favorite version is an unreleased cover by a
lesser-known girl group called the Velvelettes. This foursome had a few singles
but were edged out of the limelight as the Supremes became superstars. Motown
fans on Soulful Detroit say that this track is a rare opportunity to hear some
lead singing from Sandra Tilley, who would later become a Vandella.
7. Tammi
Terrell, "I Can't Believe You Love Me"
Perhaps
no Motown story is more tragic than that of Tammi Terrell, a sweet young
songbird who became famous after replacing Kim Weston as Marvin Gaye's duet
partner. But Terrell wouldn't be able to enjoy much of her success. Collapsing
into Gaye's arms during a performance in 1967, she was later diagnosed with a
brain tumor. After eight unsuccessful operations, Terrell finally succumbed to
cancer in 1970 at age 24. "I Can't Believe You Love Me" was the
singer's first R&B Top 40 single. It was also the first song she recorded
after Gordy changed her professional name from Tammy Montgomery.
8. The Jackson
5, "2-4-6-8"
You
can't talk Motown without including a song from this pint-size band of
brothers. Everybody knows their song "ABC," but this counterpart from
the same album remains relatively unknown. "2-4-6-8" features one of
Michael's most adorable spoken word parts ever recorded: "I may be a
little fella / but my heart is as big as Texas!" Another incredible
outtake from the "ABC" recording session never made it onto a Motown
album. Listen to Michael cover Ray Charles' "A Fool For You" with singing
chops a vocalist twice his age would envy.
9.
Sherri Taylor & Singin' Sammy Ward, "Oh Lover"
Singin'
Sammy Ward was the Motown Soul label's resident bluesman. Newcomer Sherri
Taylor was a brash vocalist equipped with a piercing wail. Their unlikely duet,
"Oh Lover," is a randy little number co-written by Brian Holland and
Smokey Robinson. Motown Junkies says it's the first duet released by Motown. By
the time Ward died, sometime in the mid-'90s, he was all but forgotten by the
music industry. Find out more about Singin' Sammy Ward at Motown Junkies and
listen to his masterful ballad "Then You Changed," which was never
released by Motown's Soul label... but really should have been.
10. The
Supremes, "Surfer Boy"
We'll
forgive you if you haven't seen the 1965 surfing flick "Beach Ball."
It's best remembered for cameos by the Righteous Brothers, the Four Tops and
even the Supremes, who sang "Come To The Beach Ball With Me," along
with this addictive little jangle. The Supremes look a bit bemused up onstage,
like they're wondering, "How on Earth did we get cast in this movie and
why are we singing about surfers?" Song's still a winner, though, as is
the name of their backup band on set (The Sinners!).
11. The
Miracles, "Whole Lot Of Shakin' In My Heart (Since I Met You)"
The Funk
Brothers set this dance track on fire with their dynamic horn arrangements.
When Smokey Robinson grabs onto the word "I" around 2:16 and refuses
to let go, it's really one of the Miracles frontman's finest vocal moments. How
this song barely made it into the R&B Top 20 charts, we can't really
understand. More at Funky 16 Corners.
12.
Marvin Gaye, "This Love Starved Heart Of Mine (It's Killing Me)
Marvin
Gaye's catalog of hits for Motown was so strong that in 1994, the label
released 25 recordings from his career that had never seen the light of day. As
Jason Ankeny wrote at Allmusic, they are "performances of such sublime
beauty and haunting poignancy that their failure to reach the masses until now
is nothing short of remarkable." Among the most incredible tracks are
"This Love Starved Heart Of Mine (It's Killing Me)," a breathless,
string-laden march that Gaye escalates to a passionate climax. Is this Marvin
Gaye's greatest track? Is this one of the greatest Motown songs EVER? Here's
one argument in favor.
13.
Martha & the Vandellas, "A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knockin' Every
Day)"
The
B-side to "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave," this sweet standard was
penned by the Holland-Dozier-Holland team and first sung by Martha & the
Vandellas. Covers by the likes of Dusty Springfield, the Animals and Ike &
Tina Turner emblazoned this track on the American consciousness in the 1970s.
Fans may note that this recording has a lighter touch than the classics Martha
& the Vandellas are remembered for -- "Dancing In The Street,"
"Nowhere To Run" and "Jimmy Mack."
14.
Frank Wilson, "Do I Love You"
Talk to
a serious Motown 45s collector, and they'll bring up Frank Wilson's "Do I
Love You," the only single Wilson released before moving into songwriting
and producing at Motown Records. According to the BBC, there are only two known
copies left on Earth -- Berry Gordy reportedly destroyed the rest. The record
was discovered after being played in Britain's Northern Soul nightclubs in the
1970s. One copy fetched an astounding £25,742 at auction in 2009.
15. Kim
Weston, "Take Me In Your Arms"
Her
husband was Motown A&R chief Mickey Stevenson, but that still couldn't
guarantee Kim Weston fame and backing from the Motown brass. One blog calls her
"another artist Berry Gordy just left on the shelf." No matter who
was ultimately responsible for not showcasing her talents, this is clear: Kim
Weston matched the commanding force and personality of her one-time duet
partner, Marvin Gaye. Her sensational vocals are best showcased on "Take
Me In Your Arms," an upbeat Holland-Dozier-Holland romp that allows Kim to
vacillate from intimate pleadings to a full-throated snarl. Check out 2:18 to
hear her unleash, "I said I wouldn't beg him / I said I wouldn't
plead." Motown Junkies writes, "If you told me this was your
favourite Motown record of all time, well, I couldn't really argue the
pick."
16.
David Ruffin, "I've Got A Need For You"
Music
critics are still wondering why Motown shelved "David," the third
album from former Temptation David Ruffin. More than 40 years later, it's
shocking to realize how well this LP, only released in 2004, would have fared
had it been liberated back in 1971. A less distinctive voice than Ruffin's may
have been overshadowed by the lush, dramatic arrangements. The entire album is
worth listening to (especially Ruffin's grown-up redo of "I Want You
Back"), but the signature track here is "I've Got A Need For
You." With the choir howling in the background, Ruffin leads the vocals
with so much joy, it's like the song itself is a triumph for him to sing. Read
more at Allmusic.
17.
Isley Brothers, "Why When Love Is Gone"
That
guitar line slays us! This live jolt of electricity was an early single from
the Isley Brothers, released on their 1967 album "Soul On The Rocks."
"Why When Love Is Gone" is the B-side to the group's version of Kim Weston's
"Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)." The Isley Brothers
had briefly welcomed Jimi Hendrix to play guitar in their band, but when
neither single charted, Hendrix left them and the brothers signed with Motown
Records' Tamla imprint. Their only Tamla hit was "This Old Heart Of Mine
(Is Weak For You)," and the Isleys only stayed with the Motown family
until 1968 before leaving to form their own label. They left Motown with one
more great song: "Why When Love Is Gone," produced by Ivy Joe Hunter,
the man who made "Dancing In The Street."
18. The
Marvelettes, "Too Many Fish In The Sea"
Short
ones, tall ones, fine ones, kind ones... The Marvelettes deliver this
marvelously snappy advice to girls hung up on the wrong guys. This song's
history also suggests there were too many potential hit songs swimming around
Motown Records. At the time, the Marvelettes picked this song over another
track called "Where Did Our Love Go," which was eventually assigned
to another girl group that hadn't had a single hit record yet -- the Supremes.
19.
Brenda Holloway, "Just Look What You've Done"
The
story of Motown's first West Coast signing sounds like a '60s teen movie plot.
The shapely Brenda Holloway grabbed the mic at a Los Angeles DJ convention to
sing a cover of Mary Wells' "My Guy." In the audience was none other
than Berry Gordy, who was so blown away by Holloway's looks and voice that he
signed her, just 18 years old, to Tamla, according to Allmusic. Although
Holloway scored some hits, like "Every Little Bit Hurts," she became
equally as interested in songwriting -- and disillusioned by Motown. Gordy did
let her record one song she co-wrote, "You've Made Me So Very Happy,"
which later became a hit for Blood, Sweat and Tears. On songs like "Just
Look What You've Done," Holloway, who quit the label by age 22, sounds every
inch the troublemaker Motown feared she was.
20. Stu
Gardner, "Expressin' My Love"
Maybe
you've never heard of Stu Gardner, but you know "Kiss Me," the song
he recorded that became the theme to "The Cosby Show." Before this
underground soul star was producing for Bill Cosby, he was a recording artist
for both Stax and Chisa Records, an imprint that signed a distribution deal
with Motown in 1969 -- meaning that while Gardner was never technically on the
Motown label, he was part of its extended family."Expressin' My Love"
is the struttin' song of a wildcat man whose emotions remain blissfully
untamed. It remains one of the era's most irrepressible lost singles.
21. The
Pirates, "I'll Love You 'Til I Die"
The
Temptations were named by Motown after two local Detroit groups, the Primes and
the Distants, merged together to form a sort of new supergroup. And the
Temptations really could do everything -- sing marvelously, dance in time and
dress sharp. The Motown museum compares their influence on R&B to the
Beatles' impact on rock 'n' roll. Even many fans don't know this group was
briefly renamed "The Pirates" in 1963 -- just a year before "The
Way You Do The Things You Do" established the fivesome on the Billboard
Charts. They'd remain there for years to come, their brief fling as the Pirates
all but forgotten.
22. The
Contours, "First I Look At The Purse"
If you
thought the singing group behind "Do You Love Me" didn't have any
other moves, think again. One of Motown's jolliest acts, the Contours achieved
pop perfection with this ditty about sizing up women for the right reason:
money, honey! Written by Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers of the Miracles,
"First I Look At The Purse" is a joke song -- and one that was simply
too risque for an act like the Temptations to tackle. The song could certainly
be criticized from our modern standpoint, but the lyrics are too ridiculous to
take seriously. "If she waddles like a duck and talks with a lisp,"
who really cares, "if her dollar bills are crisp?"
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