100 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #20-11. The countdown concludes 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

20

YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE

The Supremes

Holland / Dozier / Holland crafted Motown a ridiculously catchy song when they gave "You Can't Hurry Love" to The Supremes. It instantly became one of the defining singles in the label's canon. Released in 1966, the disc topped the American Pop and R&B charts. It reached #1 in Canada and Top 10 on the UK and Australian charts. In 1982, Phil Collins' remake took the song to #1 in Britain and once again in Canada.
 

19

END OF THE ROAD

Boyz II Men

Boyz II Men revived the vocal group style from R&B's early years. "End Of the Road" gave the boys an instant global smash hit in 1992. Written and produced by Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons, the big ballad was used in the film 'Boomerang'. In the USA, the single broke the then record for longest reign atop the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks. The single would also reach #1 on the US R&B chart. Internationally, the song rose to the top in Britain, Europe and Australia.
   

18

MY GUY

Mary Wells

Mary Wells was one of Motown's earliest chart stars. "My Guy" is her best known song. The pop hit is one of the label's most accessible. Penned and produced by Smokey Robinson, the love song was issued in 1964 and spent 2 weeks at #1 in America. 
 

17

BEN

Michael Jackson

Young Michael Jackson recorded "Ben", the title song for a film about a killer rat and, despite this unusual source, the ballad earned an Oscar nomination. In 1972, "Ben" became one of Jackson's earliest singles without his siblings. Motown was astute enough to give the popular child star a solo career to run simultaneously with his role as part of The Jackson 5. "Ben" was his first #1 in the USA and Australia as a soloist.
 

16

STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE

Diana Ross & The Supremes

In 1965, The Supremes introduced the world to the choreography devised for its latest release "Stop! In The Name Of Love". The single, another hook-laden classic from Holland/ Dozier/ Holland, reached #1 Pop and #2 R&B in America.

15

MERCY MERCY ME (THE ECOLOGY)

Marvin Gaye

"Mercy Mercy Me" was a radical shift in subject matter for not only Motown, but the usual pop fare of the time. Almost single handedly, Gaye shifted musical gears for the label. Abandoning Motown's crossover and cheerful attitude, he delved into social commentary. This single was a gloomy report on how the planet's inhabitants were destroying the environment. Sadly, his foreboding lyrics are even more applicable today than when the single was issued in 1971.
  

14

ENDLESS LOVE

Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie was asked to contribute a song for a 1981 Franco Zeffirelli romance drama. "Endless Love" was its title song. Richie, still a member of the Commodores at the time, recorded the ballad with labelmate Diana Ross. In America, the song reached #1 on the Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. On the UK Top 40, it peaked at #7. The single made #1 in Canada, parts of Europe and Australia. "Endless Love" was a massive success for Motown and encouraged Richie to launch a solo career.

13

SUPERSTITION

Stevie Wonder

"Superstition" is one of Wonder's signature songs. Its unmistakable funky groove provides the foundation for one of R&B's classic tracks. Written and produced by Wonder, the song was lifted as a single in 1972 from his 'Talking Book' album. In the US, the disc reached #1 Pop and R&B.
 

12

INNER CITY BLUES 
(MAKE ME WANNA HOLLER)
Marvin Gaye

"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" was another grim reflection of urban life delivered by Gaye on his watershed album 'What's Going On' in 1971. The song deals with police brutality, poverty, high taxes and other social issues. It reached #1 on the US R&B chart.

11

I CAN'T HELP MYSELF
(SUGAR PIE HONEY BUNCH)
The Four Tops 
Holland / Dozier / Holland provided The Supremes with an unenviable string of timeless crossover hits. The Four Tops were also benefactors of the trio's unbeatable consistency. "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" is one of Motown's most popular songs. In 1965, the single topped the US Pop and R&B charts.