200 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #100-91. The countdown continues tomorrow.
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

100

WHO'S LOVIN' YOU

Jackson 5

Smokey Robinson penned "Who's Lovin' You" for his group The Miracles and their original version came out in 1960. It has been covered many times since. The best interpretation was delivered by The Jackson 5 with a young Michael on lead. The siblings' remake was issued in 1969 as the B-side for their 1st US #1 single "I Want You Back". 
 

99

I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER

Stevie Wonder

"I Was Made To Love Her" was co-written by a 16 year old Stevie Wonder with Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy and Lula Mae Hardaway. The latter is the performer's mother. Cosby produced the recording with Clarence Paul. The song reached record shelves in 1967 and was soon a hit. In America, it reached #2 Pop and ruled the R&B chart. The disc also reached #5 in Britain.
 

98

BALL OF CONFUSION
 (THAT'S WHAT THE WORLD IS TODAY)

The Temptations

The Temptations were enjoying chart success with their Norman Whitfield-led period and psychedelic soul discs as the 1960s gave way to the Seventies. Whitfield composed "Ball Of Confusion" with Barrett Strong. The single charged to #3 Pop and 2 R&B in 1970.
 

97

IT'S A SHAME

The Spinners

Along with the numerous Motown chart hits, there are countless underrated gems. "It's A Shame" became The Spinners' biggest hit while at the label. Written by Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett and Syreeta Wright, the cut was produced by the former. Released in 1970, the single only made the Top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic. It certainly deserved to chart higher. The Spinners finally enjoyed a string of hits after departing Motown and signing with Atlantic Records.

  

 96

LOVE IS HERE AND NOW YOU'RE GONE

 The Supremes

When "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone" moved into the top position in 1967 it became the 9th #1 single on the US chart for The Supremes. This was another smash from the team of Holland / Dozier / Holland. The single also topped the R&B chart.

95

fOR ONCE IN MY LIFE

Stevie Wonder

By the time Wonder made the US Top 40 with "For Once In My Life" in 1968, the song had already been recorded by others. The first was by Motown soloist Barbara McNair. Tony Bennett had scored a hit with it in 1967. Wonder's remake the following year has since been considered the definitive interpretation. Along with peaking at #2 on the US Pop and R&B charts, the single made #3 in the UK and Top 5 in Canada.

94

TROUBLE MAN

Marvin Gaye

Motown capitalized on the blaxploitation genre in 1972 with Marvin Gaye's soundtrack for the film 'Trouble Man'. The title track depicts Gaye at his uber-coolest. His confident vocal is augmented by the funky beat of the song. Gaye wrote and produced the track which reached both the Pop and R&B Top 10 in America.

93

I'M COMING OUT

Diana Ross

Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards created a new anthem when they wrote and produced "I'm Coming Out" for Diana Ross. The funky song was included on her 1980 album 'Diana' and reinvigorated her career, becoming a Pop and R&B Top 10 chart hit.

92

ON BENDED KNEE
Boyz II Men

Decades after Motown's launch, the label was still a chart presence in the 1990s. Boyz II Men was the label's champion act. The vocal group was breaking records with popular best sellers that included "On Bended Knee". In 1994, the group released the song, written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. "On Bended Knee" flew up the chart and knocked "I'll Make Love to You" (also by Boyz II Men) off the perch, remaining at the top for 6 weeks.

91

SINCE I LOST MY BABY
The Temptations

"Since I Lost My Baby" was another beautifully crafted composition from Smokey Robinson and Warren Moore. The song was given to The Temptations to record in 1965. Robinson handled its production. It remains one of the best recordings by a vocal group, showcasing the rich harmonies of the legendary Motown act. The single made the US Pop Top 20 and reached #4 on the R&B chart.