Showing posts with label Jackson 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jackson 5. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

The Top 100 Motown Songs

Motown:

Top 100 Songs

On January 12, 1959, Berry Gordy launched Tamla Records after borrowing $800 from his relatives. The label evolved into Motown. In celebration of the historic event, the DMDB presents this list of the top 100 songs in the history of Motown. The list was generated by looking at song’s status in Dave’s Music Database, which is determined by rankings on best-of lists, awards, chart appearances, sales, and airplay. Appearances on Motown specific lists and CD compilations is figured into the mix as well. Here are the results:

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode Remembering Barrett Strong: 10 of His Best which references songs on this list. Premiere: February 1, 2023. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Marvin Gaye “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
2. Stevie Wonder “Superstition” (1972)
3. The Temptations “My Girl” (1964)
4. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
5. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
6. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
7. Four Tops “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” (1966)
8. The Jackson 5 “I Want You Back” (1969)
9. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)
10. Marvin Gaye “Let’s Get It On” (1973)

11. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)
12. The Supremes “Stop! In the Name of Love” (1965)
13. The Supremes “Baby Love” (1964)
14. The Miracles “The Tracks of My Tears” (1965)
15. Boyz II Men “End of the Road” (1992)
16. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
17. The Supremes “Where Did Our Love Go” (1964)
18. Diana Ross “Upside Down” (1980)
19. The Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)
20. The Jackson 5 “I’ll Be There” (1970)

21. The Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love” (1966)
22. The Jackson 5 “ABC” (1970)
23. The Temptations “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” (1972)
24. The Commodores “Brick House” (1977)
25. Four Tops “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” (1965)
26. Stevie Wonder “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1973)
27. The Temptations “Just My Imagination Running Away with Me” (1971)
28. Rick James “Super Freak” (1981)
29. Edwin Starr “War” (1970)
30. The Marvelettes “Please Mr. Postman” (1961)

31. Lionel Richie “Say You Say Me” (1985)
32. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1967)
33. The Miracles “The Tears of a Clown” (1970)
34. Mary Wells “My Guy” (1964)
35. Martha & the Vandellas “Heat Wave” (1963)
36. The Temptations “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (1966)
37. Lionel Richie “Hello” (1984)
38. The Contours “Do You Love Me?” (1962)
39. Four Tops “Baby I Need Your Loving” (1964)

DMDB Top 2%:

40. Stevie Wonder “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” (1970)
41. Little Stevie Wonder “Fingertips (Part 2)” (1963)
42. The Supremes “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” 1966)
43. Thelma Houston “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (1976)
44. Stevie Wonder “Living for the City” (1973)
45. Junior Walker & the All Stars “Shotgun” (1965)
46. Marvin Gaye “Got to Give It Up (Part 1)” (1977)
47. Stevie Wonder “Higher Ground” (1973)
48. The Miracles “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” (1962)
49. Marvin Gaye “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology Song)” (1971)
50. Stevie Wonder “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” (1965)

51. The Supremes “Someday We’ll Be Together” (1969)
52. Marvin Gaye “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You” (1964)
53. Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (1994)
54. Diana Ross “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1970)
55. The Miracles “Shop Around” (1960)
56. Martha & the Vandellas “Nowhere to Run” (1965)
57. The Supremes “Love Child” (1968)
58. Barrett Strong “Money (That’s What I Want)” (1960)
59. Lionel Richie “Truly” (1982)
60. Stevie Wonder “Sir Duke” (1977)

61. The Commodores “Easy” (1977)
62. Eddie Kendricks “Keep on Truckin’ (Part 1)” (1973)

DMDB Top 5%:

63. Jimmy Ruffin “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” (1966)
64. Stevie Wonder “My Cherie Amour” (1969)
65. Diana Ross “Love Hangover” (1976)
66. The Isley Brothers “This Old Heart of Mine” (1966)
67. Smokey Robinson “Being with You” (1981)
68. The Temptations “I Can’t Get Next to You” (1969)
69. The Supremes “Come See about Me” (1964)
70. The Temptations “Ball of Confusion” (1970)

71. The Commodores “Still” (1979)
72. Diana Ross “I’m Coming Out” (1980)
73. Gladys Knight & the Pips “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1967)
74. The Supremes “I Hear a Symphony” (1965)
75. Steve Wonder “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” (1980)
76. The Miracles “Ooo Baby Baby” (1965)
77. Boyz II Men “Motownphilly” (1991)
78. Michael Jackson “Ben” (1972)
79. Stevie Wonder “Part-Time Lover” (1985)
80. The Temptations “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (1964)

81. Stevie Wonder “I Wish” (1976)
82. Commodores “Sail On” (1979)
83. Rockwell with Michael Jackson “Somebody’s Watching Me” (1984)
84. The Supremes “Back in My Arms Again” (1965)
85. Rick James “Give It to Me Baby” (1981)
86. The Temptations “Cloud Nine” (1968)
87. Stevie Wonder “For Once in My Life” (1968)
88. The Miracles “I Second That Emotion” (1967)
89. Martha Reeves & the Vandellas “Jimmy Mack” (1967)
90. Marvin Gaye “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” (1971)

91. Diana Ross “Touch Me in the Morning” (1973)
92. Diana Ross “Do You Know Where You’re Going To (Theme from Mahogany)” (1975)
93. The Jackson 5 “The Love You Save” (1970)
94. Four Tops “Bernadette” (1967)
95. The Miracles “Love Machine” (1975)
96. Stevie Wonder “I Was Made to Love Her” (1967)
97. Dazz Band “Let It Whip” (1982)
98. The Supremes Reflections” (1967)
99. The Temptations “I Wish It Would Rain” (1968)
100. Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston “It Takes Two” (1966)

Resources/Related Links:

DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia Entries for:




First posted 1/14/2012; last updated 2/1/2023.

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Tuesday, November 3, 1992

Hitsville USA box set released

First posted 12/1/2009; updated 11/16/2020.

Hitsville U.S.A.: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971

Various Artists

Released: November 3, 1992

Recorded: 1959 to 1971

Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK)

Genre: R&B/pop

Tracks:

Song Title by Act [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts.

Tracks, Disc 1:

  1. Money (That’s What I Want) [BARRETT STRONG] (1/25/60, 23 US, 2 RB)
  2. Shop Around [MIRACLES] (12/12/60, 2 US, 1 RB)
  3. Please Mr. Postman [MARVELETTES] (9/4/61, 1 US, 1 RB)
  4. Jamie [EDDIE HOLLAND] (1/13/62, 30 US, 6 RB)
  5. The One Who Really Loves You [MARY WELLS] (3/24/62, 8 US, 2 RB)
  6. Do You Love Me? [CONTOURS] (8/11/62, 3 US, 1 RB, 24 AC, sales: 1 million)
  7. Beechwood 4-5789 [MARVELETTES] (8/11/62, 17 US, 7 RB)
  8. You Beat Me to the Punch [MARY WELLS] (8/11/62, 9 US, 1 RB)
  9. Stubborn Kind of Fellow [MARVIN GAYE] (7/23/62, 46 US, 8 RB)
  10. Two Lovers [MARY WELLS] (12/1/62, 7 US, 1 RB)
  11. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me [MIRACLES] (12/8/62, 8 US, 1 RB)
  12. Come and Get These Memories [MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS] (2/22/63, 29 US, 6 RB)
  13. Pride and Joy [MARVIN GAYE] (4/18/63, 10 US, 2 RB)
  14. Fingertips (Part 2) [STEVIE WONDER] (6/22/63, 1 US, 1 RB)
  15. Heat Wave [MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS] (7/10/63, 4 US, 1 RB)
  16. Mickey’s Monkey [MIRACLES] (8/17/63, 8 US, 3 RB)
  17. Leaving Here [EDDIE HOLLAND] (2/8/64, 76 US, *76 RB)
  18. The Way You Do the Things You Do [TEMPTATIONS] (2/29/64, 11 US, 11 RB)
  19. My Guy [MARY WELLS] (4/4/64, 1 US, 5 UK, 1 RB)
  20. Devil with the Blue Dress [SHORTY LONG]
  21. Every Little Bit Hurts [BRENDA HOLLOWAY] (5/2/64, 13 US, 13 RB)
  22. Baby, I Need Your Loving [FOUR TOPS] (8/15/64, 11 US, 11 RB)
  23. Dancing in the Street [MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS] (7/31/64, 2 US, 4 RB, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  24. My Smile Is Just a Frown (Turned Upside Down) [CAROLYN CRAWFORD] (2/13/65, 39 RB)
  25. Needle in a Haystack [VELVELETTES] (10/17/64, 45 US, 45 RB)
  26. Baby Love [SUPREMES] (10/3/64, 1 US, 1 UK, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  27. Come See about Me [SUPREMES] (11/14/64, 1 US, 27 UK, 3 RB)
  28. How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You [MARVIN GAYE] (11/4/64, 6 US, 49 UK, 4 RB)
Tracks, Disc 2:
  1. My Girl [TEMPTATIONS] (1/16/65, 1 US, 2 UK, 1 RB, 27 AC, sales: 2 million)
  2. He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’ [VELVELETTES] (1/30/65, 64 US, 21 RB)
  3. Ask the Lonely [FOUR TOPS] (2/6/65, 24 US, 9 RB)
  4. Shotgun [JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS] (2/13/65, 4 US, 1 RB)
  5. Nowhere to Run [MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS] (2/2/65, 8 US, 26 UK, 5 RB)
  6. When I’m Gone [BRENDA HOLLOWAY] (3/6/65, 25 US, 12 RB)
  7. Ooo Baby Baby [MIRACLES] (3/27/65, 16 US, 4 RB)
  8. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) [FOUR TOPS] (5/15/65, 1 US, 23 UK, 1 RB)
  9. First I Look at the Purse [CONTOURS] (8/14/65, 57 US, 12 RB)
  10. The Tracks of My Tears [MIRACLES] (7/10/65, 16 US, 2 RB)
  11. It’s the Same Old Song [FOUR TOPS] (7/31/65, 5 US, 34 UK, 2 RB)
  12. Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things [MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS] (7/26/65, 70 US, 22 RB)
  13. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me) [KIM WESTON] (10/9/65, 50 US, 4 RB)
  14. Uptight (Everything’s Alright) [STEVIE WONDER] (12/18/65, 3 US, 14 UK, 1 RB)
  15. Don’t Mess with Bill [MARVELETTES] (1/15/66, 7 US, 3 RB)
  16. Darling Baby [ELGINS] (2/19/66, 72 US, 4 RB)
  17. This Old Heart of Mine [ISLEY BROTHERS] (2/19/66, 12 US, 3 UK, 6 RB)
  18. Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam) [MONITORS] (4/16/66, 100 US, 21 RB)
  19. Function at the Junction [SHORTY LONG] (9/24/66, 97 US, 42 RB)
  20. I’m a Road Runner [JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS] (4/9/66, 20 US, 12 UK, 4 RB)
  21. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg [TEMPTATIONS] (5/28/66, 13 US, 21 UK, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  22. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted [JIMMY RUFFIN] (8/6/66, 7 US, 4 UK, 6 RB)
  23. How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You [JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS] (7/30/66, 18 US, 22 UK, 3 RB)
  24. Love’s Gone Bad [CHRIS CLARK] (10/29/66, 41 RB)
  25. You Can’t Hurry Love [SUPREMES] (8/13/66, 1 US, 3 UK, 1 RB)
  26. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep [TEMPTATIONS] (8/20/66, 3 US, 18 UK, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  27. Heaven Must Have Sent You [ELGINS] (9/24/66, 50 US, 3 UK, 9 RB)
Tracks, Disc 3:
  1. Reach Out (I’ll Be There) [FOUR TOPS] (9/3/66, 1 US, 1 UK, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  2. I Know I’m Losing You [TEMPTATIONS] (11/19/66, 8 US, 19 UK, 1 RB)
  3. Standing in the Shadows of Love [FOUR TOPS] (12/17/66, 6 US, 6 UK, 2 RB)
  4. It Takes Two [MARVIN GAYE/KIM WESTON] (12/2/66, 14 US, 16 UK, 4 RB)
  5. The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game [MARVELETTES] (1/21/67, 13 US, 2 RB)
  6. Jimmy Mack [MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS] (2/3/67, 10 US, 21 UK, 1 RB)
  7. Bernadette [FOUR TOPS] (3/11/67, 4 US, 8 UK, 3 RB)
  8. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough [MARVIN GAYE/TAMMI TERRELL] (4/20/67, 19 US, 3 RB)
  9. More Love [MIRACLES] (6/17/67, 23 US, 5 RB)
  10. I Heard It Through the Grapevine [GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS] (10/21/67, 2 US, 47 UK, 1 RB)
  11. I Second That Emotion [MIRACLES] (11/4/67, 4 US, 27 UK, 1 RB)
  12. I Wish It Would Rain [TEMPTATIONS] (1/13/68, 4 US, 45 UK, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  13. I Can’t Give Back the Love I Feel for You [RITA WRIGHT]
  14. Does Your Mama Know About Me [BOBBY TAYLOR/VANCOUVERS] (4/20/68, 29 US, 5 RB)
  15. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing [MARVIN GAYE/TAMMI TERRELL] (3/28/68, 8 US, 34 UK, 1 RB)
  16. Love Child [SUPREMES] (10/19/68, 1 US, 15 UK, 2 RB)
  17. For Once in My Life [STEVIE WONDER] (11/2/68, 2 US, 3 UK, 2 RB)
  18. Cloud Nine [TEMPTATIONS] (11/16/68, 6 US, 15 UK, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  19. I Heard It Through the Grapevine [MARVIN GAYE] (11/30/68, 1 US, 1 UK, 1 RB)
  20. Baby, Baby Don’t Cry [MIRACLES] (1/4/69, 8 US, 3 RB)
  21. Twenty-Five Miles [EDWIN STARR] (2/15/69, 6 US, 36 UK, 6 RB)
  22. My Whole World Ended the Moment You Left Me [DAVID RUFFIN] (2/15/69, 9 US, 2 RB)
  23. What Does It Take to Win Your Love? [JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS] (5/17/69, 4 US, 13 UK, 1 RB)
  24. I Can’t Get Next to You [TEMPTATIONS] (8/16/69, 1 US, 13 UK, 1 RB, sales: 2 million)
  25. Baby, I’m for Real [ORIGINALS] (9/27/66, 14 US, 1 RB)
  26. Up the Ladder to the Roof [SUPREMES] (3/7/70, 10 US, 6 UK, 5 RB, 28 AC)
Tracks, Disc 4:
  1. I Want You Back [JACKSON 5] (11/15/69, 1 US, 2 UK, 1 RB)
  2. The Bells [ORIGINALS] (2/7/70, 12 US, 4 RB)
  3. Get Ready [RARE EARTH] (3/14/70, 4 US, 20 RB)
  4. ABC [JACKSON 5] (3/14/70, 1 US, 8 UK, 1 RB)
  5. Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) [TEMPTATIONS] (5/23/70, 3 US, 7 UK, 2 RB)
  6. The Love You Save [JACKSON 5] (5/30/70, 1 US, 7 UK, 1 RB)
  7. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours [STEVIE WONDER] (6/27/70, 3 US, 15 UK, 1 RB)
  8. War [EDWIN STARR] (7/11/70, 1 US, 3 UK, 3 RB)
  9. It’s a Shame [SPINNERS] (7/25/70, 14 US, 4 RB)
  10. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough [DIANA ROSS] (8/8/70, 1 US, 6 UK, 1 RB, 6 AC)
  11. Still Water (Love) [FOUR TOPS] (8/29/70, 11 US, 10 UK, 4 RB)
  12. I’ll Be There [JACKSON 5] (9/19/70, 1 US, 4 UK, 1 RB)
  13. The Tears of a Clown [MIRACLES] (10/17/70, 1 US, 1 UK, 1 RB)
  14. Stoned Love [SUPREMES] (11/7/70, 7 US, 3 UK, 1 RB, 24 AC)
  15. If I Were Your Woman [GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS] (11/28/70, 9 US, 1 RB)
  16. Just My Imagination Running Away with Me [TEMPTATIONS] (2/6/71, 1 US, 8 UK, 1 RB, 33 AC, sales: 2 million)
  17. What’s Going On [MARVIN GAYE] (1/21/71, 2 US, 1 RB)
  18. Never Can Say Goodbye [JACKSON 5] (4/3/71, 2 US, 33 UK, 1 RB)
  19. Nathan Jones [SUPREMES] (5/8/71, 16 US, 5 UK, 8 RB, 29 AC)
  20. I Don’t Want to Do Wrong [GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS] (6/5/71, 17 US, 2 RB)
  21. Smiling Faces Sometimes [UNDISPUTED TRUTH] (6/26/71, 3 US, 2 RB, 34 AC)
  22. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) [MARVIN GAYE] (6/10/71, 4 US, 1 RB, 34 AC)
  23. I Just Want to Celebrate [RARE EARTH] (7/17/71, 7 US, 30 RB)

Total Running Time: 5:03:03

Rating:

4.591 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Quotable: “A definitive overview and introduction to one of the most groundbreaking labels in pop music history” – Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Awards:

About the Album:

“A well-assembled box set containing just some of Motown's most golden and definitive classics. Nobody knew Motown Records was going to take off in the way it did. Berry Gordy intended to use his artists to break down the then racial barriers, intending to encapsulate a golden and distinct sound that would not only please a black audience but would too appeal to whites. Berry Gordy’s visions for the company paid off. Key artists like Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder attracted a huge following from both blacks and whites.” IP “Motown remains a key landmark in the history of black music and also made a significant impact in pop music all together. Never has there been a record label that has managed to capture and encapsulate such a unique, distinct sound with such a wide range of diverse singing talents.” IP

“The golden Motown sound ceased to exist after its headquarters move from Detroit to L.A.,” IP but they “did so many things well in the ‘60s and early ‘70s” RW that, even at four discs and 103 songs, “collectors could have used a more comprehensive set.” STE

“There are a handful of wonderful lesser-known songs here, such as the Contours’ First I Look at the Purse” STE and “surprisingly rare features on here such as a version of I Can’t Give Back the Love I Feel for You by Rita Wright (later covered by Diana Ross on her Surrender album) and some offerings from the over-looked Brenda Holloway.” IP However, “the main strength of the 103-track box is that it features all of the biggest songs from Motown’s golden era in one place.” STE

Things kick off with “the effective, bluesey Money (That’s What I Want) by Barret Strong, Motown’s debut release. There is a raw, earthy feel to the classic that has stood the test of time impecably well. There is a strong injection of rock and roll on Motown’s early releases though they found a more commercially favorable sound with vast elements of pop neatly blended into the production with The Marvelettes famous classic, Please Mr. Postman,” IP the first #1 hit for Motown.

“A vast selection of Martha Reeves’ finest recordings turn up here from the sassy Come and Get These Memories, the pop masterpiece Heat Wave…and the rolling Dancing in the Streets.” IP Of course, there’s also “the unforgetable classic, Nowhere to Run.” IP “Just listening to the sheer volume and power of Reeves voice makes you appreciate her often over-looked vocal talents.” IP

While Martha & the Vandellas overshadowed the Marvelettes, they were, in turn, “overshadowed by Motown’s biggest act, Diana Ross and the Supremes.” IP “Ross had a much softer soprano which had soulful qualities, oozing heavy emotion and genuine feeling that showed subtle hints of a raw vulnreability in her vocal delivery and neatly surfboarded along Motowns complex musical arrangements.” IP Early number ones like Baby Love, Come See About Me, and You Can’t Hurry Love are featured, although there are other major #1’s from the Supremes which don’t make the cut (“Stop! In the Name of Love,” “You Keep Me Hanging On”). There seems to be more emphasis on later hits of their career, such as “the raw, gritty Love Child and their breathtakingly beautiful ballad, Someday We’ll Be Together.” IP There’s also Stoned Love, “possibly their best post-Ross recording featuring Jean Terrell as lead vocalist.” IP

“There is oddly only one offering from Diana Ross’ solo career with the absolutley magnificent, golden soul classic, Ain’t No Mountin High Enough. Ashford and Simpson always knew how to make good records for Diana Ross and that tracks is one of the many landmarks in her career. You just get goose bumps as that exalting and rip-roaring climax builds and Diana effectivley talks through the verses, emphasising her truly sensual vocal style.” IP

“Holland-Dozier-Holland was the main driving force behind a lot of Motowns most golden classics. They wrote and assembled some of the most remarkable pieces of music for both Diana Ross [and the Supremes] and the fantasic Four Tops.” IP “Lead singer of The Four Tops Levi Stubbs’ rocketing voice was just amazing and even managed to give you goose bumps. Several of their most famous classics turn up here including their pair of U.S chart toppers, I Can’t Help Myself and the hauntingly atmospheric Reach Out (I’ll Be There).” IP

“The Temptations were one of Motown’s hottest and most versatile acts. The splitting of lead vocal duties between the smooth, sensuous sound of Eddie Kendricks falsetto combined with the explosive volume of David Ruffins more forceful delivery marked an interesting transistion in their work. Tracks like the jamming Get Ready and My Girl respectivley show up on this box set though also highlights some of their most exciting work from the early ‘70s with the undertones of hot, pulsating funk on Cloud Nine, which saw Dennis Edwards being lead vocalist after the swift departure of David Ruffin and the utterly fantastic classic, Ball of Confusion, divulging into contemporary social issues.” IP

While the Temptations performed the song, “My Girl” was also a showcase for Smokey Robinson, “a key artist at Motown who wrote some timeless music and was generally an all-round and highly versatile entertainer.” IP He also lent his skills to Mary Wells’ My Guy and other major Motown hits. “Some of his most enthralling work [with his own group, the Miracles], is on here such as the infectious sounds of The Tears of a Clown and the breathtakingly beautiful, The Tracks of My Tears.” IP

“Stevie Wonder was a sheer genius and some of his greatest work is included here, from the masterpiece production of Fingertips to the playful funk of Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours.” IP Of course, the real gems of Wonder’s career were yet to come after the years covered by this box with funkier songs like “Superstition” and “Higher Ground” and socially-conscious hits like “Living for the City” and “You Haven’t Done Nothin’.”

“Marvin Gaye was another one of Motowns definitive artists. His work progresed from the formulaic sounds of Motown on tracks like Stubborn Kind of Fellow to the masterpiece of I Heard It Through the Grapevine to the profound political statements expressed on the timeless What’s Going On that is deservedly included on here.” IP

“Amongst other familiar classics are the fantastic and the at-the-time controversial nature of Edwin Starr’s rip-roaring War, the beautiful This Old Heart of Mine by the highly underated The Isley Brothers, the sensational Shotgun by Junior Walker and the All Stars who bought a unique touch of Jazz to their mainstream sound of Soul/R&B/Pop, …[and] ABC by The Jackson 5 (featuring a young, nasal sounding Michael Jackson).” IP

“That the running order begins with…‘Money (That’s What I Want)’ and ends with Marvin Gaye’s statement of concern Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) says a lot about how far the company moved in its golden decade – but no more so than what the same two cuts’ differences in sound get across. The company was able to blend the smooth and the harsh in ways that few other pop entities have ever mastered, thereby getting over not only to the feet and the wallet, but to the heart.” RW

“The box itself could have been packaged with a little more care (there are no artists listed on the back of the individual discs, only songs), but Hitsville USA stands as a definitive overview and introduction to one of the most groundbreaking labels in pop music history.” STE Hitsville USA “is both superb and timeless but also essential to any serious Soul/R&B collection.” IP

Notes: A second box set was released a year after this one to cover the years 1972 to 1992.

Resources and Related Links:

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Saturday, October 17, 1970

The Jackson 5 land fourth consecutive #1 with "I'll Be There"

I’ll Be There

The Jackson 5

Writer(s): Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, Bob West (see lyrics here)

Released: August 28, 1970

First Charted: September 19, 1970

Peak: 15 US, 12 CB, 12 GR, 14 HR, 24 AC, 16 RB, 4 UK, 2 CN, 31 AU, 2 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 4.2 US, 0.2 UK, 6.1 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 76.49 video, 141.35 streaming

I’ll Be There (live)

Mariah Carey

Released: May 26, 1992

First Charted: May 15, 1992

Peak: 12 US, 13 CB, 14 GR, 16 RR, 12 AC, 11 RB, 2 UK, 15 CN, 9 AU, 8 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.35 UK, 0.92 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 86.95 video, 75.12 streaming

Awards (Jackson 5):

Click on award for more details.

Awards (Mariah Carey):

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Michael Jackson was only 11 years old when The Jackson 5 hit #1 with “I Want You Back”, their chart debut. Less than a year later, “I’ll Be There” became the group’s fourth consecutive chart topper, making them the first black male group to achieve such a feat. WK It was the group’s biggest hit and the most successful Motown single from their 1959-72 Detroit era, WK but it would be the last time the Jackson brothers would collectively peak in the pole position. Michael would go on to hit the top slot thirteen times as a solo act.

Motown chief Berry Gordy decided for a change of pace after three upbeat singles from The Jackson 5. Instead of relying on the stable of Motown songwriters known as “The Corporation,” he turned to Hal Davis and Willie Hutch to tweak a song written by Bob West. SS In the song, a man declares eternal dedication to a former lover, saying that she can always come back to him. Michael and older brother Jermaine share the lead vocal, but this is really Michael’s showcase. “Rarely, if ever, had one so young sung with so much authority and grace,” AMG bringing “perfect aplomb…to material that ought to be both more romantic and more dramatic than he could possibly comprehend.” DM Michael said it was the song that solidified the Jackson 5’s career. RC

Michael also demonstrates how well he was learning from his mentors at Motown. His mastery of phrasing and “the way he oohs his way out of the choruses” DM are taken from Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson. DM “The harmonies rival those of the Temptations” AMG and he even ad-libs a line (“Just look over your shoulder, honey!”) in tribute to The Four Tops’ “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)”.

More than twenty years later, Mariah Carey scored her own #1 version of the song on the pop charts. It was a last minute addition to her 1992 MTV Unplugged appearance, performed as a duet with R&B singer Trey Lorenz. WK Her version was even more successful than The Jackson 5’s original on the adult contemporary and UK charts where it went to #1 and #2 respectively.

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First posted 10/17/2011; last updated 4/29/2024.

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