CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#65 THAT GIRL

STEVIE WONDER

(1982)

Writer: Stevie Wonder

Motown Records had dominated the charts, particularly in the USA, during the 1960s. Its success persisted throughout the 1970s thanks to major drawcards such as the Jackson 5, a solo Diana Ross, The Commodores, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. The ensuing decade promised continued chart strength for the label as the 1980s commenced. 1981 saw Rick James enjoy a chart run with his "punk funk" sound. Lionel Richie was launching his own solo career. Wonder had dropped 1 of his best albums in 'Hotter Than July'. As that year was nearing its end, Motown's prospects had suddenly diminished. Gaye, 1 of the record company's key artists flew the coop. Ross, who had just delivered Motown its best selling single ever ("Endless Love" with Richie), left the label too. 1982 was looking like a lean and fallow period, so Motown's president Jay Lasker offered Wonder $2 million for a compilation of the artist's 70s hits. As Wonder's contract gave him the right to approve the use of his recordings after 1971, the performer negotiated himself a better deal. He requested an additional million dollars; wanted it packaged as a double album and would include 4 new tracks. The compilation was entitled 'Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I'. Its 1st single was "That Girl".
Wonder wrote, arranged and produced the track, 1 of the 4 new songs on the compilation. "That Girl" features the musician playing drums, harmonica, piano, synthesizers and Fender Rhodes as well as singing. The gifted artist was rewarded with 1 of the longest running #1 songs on the US R&B chart when it reigned for 9 weeks. On the pop equivalent, the disc peaked at #4. That year, "That Girl" assured Motown would stay in the black.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.

A new song from the remaining Top 100 is added each weekday, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.