What's your favorite Motown song?

Answer 1

Toughguy,

Thank you for the question.

There were so many great songs from the Moton label. My favourite song was one that the label wasn't keen on releasing What's Going On by Marvin Gaye.

Marvin Gaye had sunk into a deep depression after the death of his singing partner Tammi Terrell in March, 1970. Gaye refused to record and perform, and attempted a career in football with the Detroit Lions, but failed his tryouts. After the failed change in careers, Gaye came in contact with Al Clevland and the Four Tops' Renaldo "Obie" Benson, who were working on a politically conscious song called "What's Going On". Gaye helped Clevland and Benson complete the composition, and planned to produce it as a recording for Motown act The Originals. Benson had initially wanted the Four Tops to record it but they thought that the song didn't suit their image.

Clevland and Benson persuaded Gaye to record the song himself, and in June 1970 Gaye recorded "What's Going On" and his own composition, "God is Love". Marvin Gaye sings both lead and background vocals himself, essentially creating what is now recognized as modern-day multitracking. The process had been used for many years to give parts of a recording extra strength (Motown themselves had used it on The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On), but Gaye took it one step further and sung each of his vocal passes in various harmony parts, creating an ethereal sound that became his trademark.

When Gaye delivered the songs as the sides for his next 45 single, Motown head Berry Gordy refused to release them. He considered the record far too political and unfamiliar in sound to be commercially successful. Gaye stood his ground; he wanted to be able to express himself, and not Gordy's or Motown's version of himself, on record. Gordy eventually gave in, certain that the record would flop. "What's Going On" became Motown´s fastest selling single at that point, going to the No. 1 spot on the R&B charts for 5 straight weeks and No. 2 (three weeks) on the Pop listings behind only to the year's biggest-selling record "Joy To The World" by Three Dog Night. After this startling success Berry Gordy requested an entire accompaning album.

"What's Going On" remains one of the most covered soul songs of all time; many artists have covered the song both for live performances and on record. Cyndi Lauper recorded a hit version of the song taking it to #12 on the pop charts in 1986. The most notable cover was done in 2001, credited to "All Star Tribute", and proceeds going to Artists Against AIDS Worldwide. With Jermaine Dupri serving as producer, the cover featured an all-star lineup of dozens of popular contemporary artists from all genres, and its video and donations were not only dedicated to the problem of AIDS, but it was also eventually expanded to dedicate to the then-recent September 11, 2001 tragedy.

Another cover, recorded by The Funk Brothers for the soundtrack to the film Standing in the Shadows of Motown with R&B legend Chaka Khan on vocals, won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. The Funk Brothers were the backing musicians on many of the great Motown hits so that recognition was fitting. In 2004, alternative rock band A Perfect Circle did their own cover of "What's Going On" for their album eMOTIVe, which is a compilation of various political covers.

Thank you for asking the question.

Regards

Answer 2

I LOVE MOTOWN!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Shop Around by The Miracles and anything by The Supremes.

Answer 3

I was made to love her, worship and adore her
HEY, HEY, HEY
Soulful and powerful!!!!

- I was made to love her (Stevie Wonder)

There are so many but this one stands out as my favorite!!

Answer 4

Favorite Motown Songs

Answer 5

love them all!!!