200 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #150-141. The countdown continues next week.
Hear the 10 songs added today on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte
                                                                    spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200

MOST ESSENTIAL

MOTOWN

SONGS

150

RUNNING WITH THE NIGHT

 Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie co-wrote "Running With The Night" with the renowned songwriter Cynthia Weil. The latter had created past gems including The Drifters' "On Broadway", The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and The Ronettes' "Walking In The Rain", usually with her husband Barry Mann. The Richie hit was included on his mega-successful 'Can't Slow Down'. Among the session musicians on the track are 2 members of the band Toto: Jeff Porcaro and Steve Lukather. Richard Marx contributed background vocals. The single made the Top 10 in both Britain and America in 1983.

149

YESTER-ME, YESTER-YOU, YESTERDAY

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder released "Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday" in 1969 and the single rose to #2 on the UK chart. The disc also reached the Top 10 in the US.

148

(I KNOW) I'M LOSING YOU

The Temptations

During the 1960s, The Temptations' records evolved from sweet pop delights to gritty and darker themes such as "(I Know) I'm Losing You". Norman Whitfield was at the helm for this transition as a producer/ songwriter. The single topped the R&B chart in 1966.

147

ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE

 Michael Jackson

In 1981, Michael Jackson was a major pop star thanks to the global hit singles from his 'Off The Wall' album. Motown, no longer MJ's label home, cashed in on his immense popularity by digging into its back catalogue. "One Day In Your Life" was a track from Jackson's 1975 album 'Forever Michael'. The strategy paid off particularly well in the UK where the re-released track spent 2 weeks at #1.

146

BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN

Stevie Wonder

 Stevie Wonder infused a hint of reggae into his funk on the R&B #1 hit "Boogie On Reggae Woman". The single, lifted off his 'Fulfillungness' First Finale' album, also reached #3 on the pop chart in the U.S.A. in 1974.
 

145

TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS
 (ROCK ME A LITTLE WHILE)

The Isley Brothers

Brothers Eddie & Brian Holland wrote "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)" with regular collaborator Lamont Dozier. The original version was recorded by Eddie Holland in 1964 but it was not released. Instead, the trio gave the song to Motown soloist Kim Weston and this cover was issued the following year. On the R&B chart, her version peaked at #4. In 1967, The Isley Brothers cut a remake which also charted.
 

144

I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ME

Charlene

The ballad "I've Never Been To Me" was originally released by Charlene in 1977. First time around, the single only managed to reach #97 in the US. The song was destined for oblivion had it not been for a DJ named Scott Shannon. He started playing the track and generated a strong response from his listeners. Motown was persuaded to re-issue the single. They needed to locate Charlene as the label had dropped her. Second time around, "I've Never Been To Me" peaked at #3 on the American chart and reached the top in Britain and Australia in 1982.
 

143

SAY YOU, SAY ME

Lionel Richie

"Say You, Say Me" was a song from the film 'White Nights'. Lionel Richie wrote and co-produced the track which was a Top 10 smash in the UK, Australia and France. In America, the single topped the Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts in 1985.

142

THE HAPPENING

The Supremes

In 1967, The Supremes released the title song from an obscure film that flopped that year. The single, however, became the 10th American chart topper for the girl group. This was another #1 created by the Holland/ Dozier / Holland team.
 

141

THE RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT

DeBarge
DeBarge scored widespread success with the upbeat "Rhythm Of The Night"in 1985. The song was penned by a little known songwriter named Diane Warren. Today, she is 1 of the most successful composers, with countless hits in her songbook. Richard Perry produced the recording. The song was included on the soundtrack for the Motown film 'The Last Dragon'. It became DeBarge's biggest hit, making the Top 10 in Britain, Canada, parts of Europe and Australia. In America, the catchy hit reached #3 Pop and topped the R&B and AC charts.