ALL THE MOTOWN #1s (#100-96). Continues tomorrow.

All the MOTOWN

No. 1 SINGLES

*100

IT’S SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE TO YESTERDAY

Boyz II Men

[1991] Soul 1

Freddie Perren; Christine Yarian

Boyz II Men’s debut chart hit was “Motownphilly”, landing at #4 Soul and peaking at #3 Pop for 3 weeks in 1991. “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” became the group’s first Soul chart-topper and spent 4 weeks in the runner-up position on the Pop listing. It was a remake of a G.C. Cameron (formerly lead singer for Motown group The Spinners) single that charted in 1975 on the Motown label. Songwriter Perrren had helped create The Jackson 5’s first #1s. After co-writing a chart-topper for the Miracles, Perren left Motown and co-wrote the US #1s “Boogie Fever” (The Sylvers) and “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor).

*99

BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN

The Supremes

[1965] Pop 1

Brian Holland; Lamont Dozier; Eddie Holland

With this single, The Supremes became the (to date) only American group to score 5 consecutive #1 singles. All 5 had been written by the crack H/D/H team. In this song, lead vocalist Diana Ross specifically mentions her fellow Supremes Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard in the lyrics.

*98

HELLO

Lionel Richie

[1984] Soul 3/ Pop 2

Lionel Richie

“Hello” was originally recorded for Richie’s debut solo album. The singer / songwriter then considered culling it from his second album ‘Can’t Slow Down’. Brenda, his wife at the time, disagreed strongly and Richie relented. This wise decision spawned one of his biggest successes and a signature song.

*97

AIN’T THAT PECULIAR

Marvin Gaye

[1965] Soul 1

Warren Moore; William “Smokey” Robinson; Bobby Rogers; Marv Tarplin

This hit was created by members of The Miracles, built around a melody presented by guitarist Tarplin. Smokey produced the track.

*96

BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN

Stevie Wonder

[1974] Soul 2

Stevie Wonder

Wonder was enjoying a wave of commercial and critical success with hit albums as he flexed his creative muscle. “Boogie On Reggae Woman” was lifted off his ‘Fulfillingness’ First Finale’ album. On the Pop Chart, the single peaked at #3 for 2 weeks.