200 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #130-121. 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

130

DANCING MACHINE

Jackson 5

"Dancing Machine" was issued in 1974 by The Jackson 5. The single zoomed to #2 Pop and R&B #1. Hal Davis produced and co-wrote the hit which features Michael Jackson on lead and his brother Jermaine providing the 2nd vocal.
 

129

STUCK ON YOU

Lionel Richie

"Stuck On You" encompasses genres similar to "Easy", Lionel Richie's hit with The Commodores. Along with pop, R&B and AC elements, Richie added a country tinge to his vocal and the overall sound of the single. This was selected as the 4th track lifted off his 'Can't Slow Down' album. In 1984, the single reached #3 Pop and #1 AC.

128

KEEP ON TRUCKIN' (Part 1)

Eddie Kendricks

After departing The Temptations, Eddie Kendricks launched a solo career. He scored his biggest solo hit with "Keep On Truckin'" in 1973. The funky song predates disco and was a dancefloor favourite at the time, helping the single climb to #1 on both the Pop and R&B charts.
 

127

GOING TO A GO-GO

The Miracles

1965 saw The Miracles scale the Pop & R&B charts with "Going To A Go-Go", a song written by various members of the group. The disc peaked at #11 and 2 respectively. It was later covered by The Rolling Stones.

126

DESTINATION: ANYWHERE

The Marvelettes

Married couple Ashford & Simpson wrote and produced the uber-cool soul number "Destination: Anywhere". Surprisingly, the single fared poorly in the USA when issued in 1968, but by then, the girl group era- with The Supremes  being the sole exception- was over.
 

125

RUNAWAY CHILD, RUNNING WILD

The Temptations

1968 was a tumultuous year at Motown, with changes that included David Ruffin being fired from The Temptations. Dennis Edwards' addition helped carve out a new direction for the vocal group. Norman Whitfield was the label's top level writer/ producer following the departure of the Holland/ Dozier/ Holland team. With Barrett Strong, the 2 songwriters led The Temptations into its psychedelic soul period. 'Runaway Child, Running Wild' (initially labelled as "Run Away Child, Running Wild") climbed to #6 pop and topped the R&B chart in 1969.
 

124

COME SEE ABOUT ME

The Supremes

"Come See About Me" followed 2 other singles from the pen of the Holland / Dozier/ Holland songwriting trio: "Where Did Our Love Go" and "Baby Love". All 3 reached the top of the American Pop chart. Motown proved its might when The Beatles replaced this single at #1 with "I Feel Fine" in December 1964, only to reclaim pole position from that Fab Four single with the same hit in January.
 

123

STUBBORN KIND OF FELLOW

Marvin Gaye

"Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" was the title song from Marvin Gaye's 1962 album. The single was co-written by the singer and produced by William "Mickey" Stevenson. This was Gaye's first chart entry, reaching #8 R&B and #46 Pop. 
 

122

NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK

The Velvelettes

Girl group The Velvelettes' chart debut was with "Needle In A Haystack" in 1964. The tune was created by the aforementioned Stevenson and Whitfield. The latter produced the recording.
 

121

WHAT DOES IT TAKE
(TO WIN YOUR LOVE)
Jr. Walker & The All Stars
Junior Walker sings lead vocals on this slower (for the group) song that was issued as a single in 1968. The disc rose to #4 Pop and topped the R&B chart.