ALL THE MOTOWN #1s (#85-81). Continues in 2 days.

Caffè Lattè pays tribute to the 141 songs on Tamla Motown and its subsidiary labels that reached #1 on the U.S. Pop / Soul charts, ranked in order of impact and influence. Each song’s year of chart peak; weeks spent at the top & writer(s) is included.

All the MOTOWN

No. 1 SINGLES

*85

I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER

Stevie Wonder

[1967] Soul 4

Henry Cosby; Lula Mae Hardaway; Sylvia Moy; Stevie Wonder

Aged just 16 when he recorded this hit song, Wonder was gaining confidence as a vocalist. The track also features his distinctive harmonica style. Hardaway, one of the co-writers is his mother. “I Was Made To Love Her” was the teenager’s fourth chart-topping disc.

*84

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

Gladys Knight & The Pips

[1967] Soul 6

Norman Whitfield; Barrett Strong

Marvin Gaye may have cut the definitive version, but that recording may never have seen the light of day had Knight & The Pips not revealed its potential with their interpretation. The original version was recorded by The Miracles. Next came a remake by The Isley Brothers. Gaye cut his take prior to Knight & The Pips, but Motown refused to release it. Whitfield – who produced both versions- presented the song to the group. Knight & The Pips’ remake was more uptempo and funkier. The single proved the song had appeal, reaching the top in December. A year later, Gaye’s version was finally unleashed. In mid- December, that disc also reached the top, reigning for 7 weeks. On the Pop Chart, the group had peaked at #2 for 3 weeks, while Gaye’s take went all the way to #1.

*83

LET’S GET SERIOUS

Jermaine Jackson

[1980] Soul 6

Stevie Wonder; Lee Garrett

The Jackson 5’s frustration over a lack of creative control at Motown led to the brothers signing with Epic Records in 1976. Jermaine, married to Berry Gordy Jr.’s daughter, felt obliged to remain with Motown. He released solo albums, but lacked a major hit single. Wonder produced his 1980 album, the title track of which became his biggest hit as a soloist: “Let’s Get Serious”. By 1984, Jermaine was back with his brothers in The Jacksons. His solo output would be issued by his new label home: Arista Records.

*82

THE HAPPENING

The Supremes

[1967] Pop 1

Frank DeVol; Brian Holland; Lamont Dozier; Eddie Holland

This was the title song for a film starring Anthony Quinn and the last hit issued before the trio was renamed Diana Ross & The Supremes. The disc peaked at #12 on the Soul Chart.

*81

STILL

Commodores

[1979] Soul 1/ Pop 1

Lionel Richie

This crossover hit was inspired by a married couple Richie knew. The pair had decided to divorce in order to maintain their friendship. After 6 Soul #1s, this was the final chart-topper to feature Richie as a member of The Commodores. He was still featured on subsequent singles until 1982’s “Why You Wanna Try Me”. By then, he had launched his solo career. His old group would score one more #1: “Nightshift” in 1985.