100 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #10-1. This the final instalment of the countdown. A new countdown will begin 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

10

FINGERTIPS Part 1 & 2

Little Stevie Wonder

The term child star is often bandied about. In the case of Stevie Wonder, it is an understatement. The youngster scored his 1st hit single with "Fingertips" in 1963. This live recording was spread out over the vinyl disc's 2 sides. Berry Gordy produced the cut. When the single reached #1 in the USA, Wonder - aged 12- became the youngest artist to top the Billboard Pop chart. It ruled for 3 weeks. On the R&B chart, it reigned for an additional 3. Wonder had arrived. The track's parent album was entitled 'The 12 Year Old Genius'. He has lived up to that reputation throughout his career.
 

9

LET'S GET IT ON

Marvin Gaye

After his grim and dark social commentary on the 'What's Going On' album, Marvin Gaye turned to love and carnal pleasure for his 1973 release 'Let's Get It On'. The title track remains one of R&B's sexiest moments. Its lyrics reveal more than just a base nod to sex, it hints at sexual politics and more. The single reached #1 Pop and R&B.
   

8

REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE

Four Tops

The Four Tops scored a 2nd US #1 hit with "Reach Out I'll Be There". Today, it is still one of the best known Motown songs. Lead singer Levi Stubbs is outstanding in his execution here. At the time they recorded it, the vocal group was unconvinced of its potential. Berry Gordy insisted the Holland / Dozier / Holland composition was going to be huge. Once issued in 1966, the single became a US Pop and R&B #1. It also topped the chart in Britain.
 

7

MY GIRL

The Temptations

"My Girl" is one of Motown's perfectly-crafted pop tunes. Written and produced by 2 members of The Miracles (Smokey Robinson and Ronald White), it gave the vocal group its 1st US #1 hit. It is one of the label's most recognizable discs thanks to its distinctive intro. The Funk Brothers applied their magic touch and complement the Tempts' stellar harmonies. It is its lyrical simplicity that adds to the aural joy of this Motown staple. David Ruffin's lead vocal is on target. The single was released in 1964 and reached #1 Pop and R&B.
 

6

I WANT YOU BACK
The Jackson 5

"I Want You Back" was the Jackson siblings' Motown debut. Written and produced by The Corporation (a team that included Berry Gordy), the song was unleashed in late 1969. Audiences the world over were impressed with the Jackson 5's young lead singer Michael. His thrilling vocal and choreography was first noticed via this release. On the US Pop and R&B charts, the disc reached #1. In Britain and Canada, it peaked at #2. This hit started a string of chart topping singles for the family act. Michael would soon launch a contemporaneous solo career. He would become one of the leading figures in popular music. It all started here.
 

5

LIVING FOR THE CITY

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder packed a lot into his epic "Living For The City". It is so graphic and raw that it plays like a movie. The track, written and produced by Wonder, was lifted off his 1973 album 'Innervisions'. Dealing with discrimination, he plays all of the instruments, sings all the vocals and plays all of the characters himself. Sound effects add to the realism. Like his labelmate Gaye, Wonder steered Motown away from its cheery pop tunes to social commentary. The single topped the US R&B chart.
  

4

WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO

The Supremes

The Supremes languished at Motown, looking on as their labelmates scored hits. The girl group watched every one of its releases flop. At Motown, they were referred to as "the no-hit Supremes". When the Holland/ Dozier / Holland songwriting & production team presented "Where Did Our Love Go" to the female trio, The Supremes were far from thrilled with the new song. They recorded it anyway on April 8, 1964. The single was released 2 months later. Suddenly, the group's fortunes had changed. It rose to the top of the American Pop and R&B chart. In Canada, it climbed to #1. On the UK chart, the single peaked at #3. With the song, the trio also made inroads in Europe and Australia. By the end of the 1960s, The Supremes had accumulated a dozen #1s in the USA: more than any other group but The Beatles.
 

3

WHAT'S GOING ON

Marvin Gaye

Gaye is not asking a question, but telling us exactly how it is on his signature song "What's Going On". The 1971 single was the title track from his landmark album. Gaye was driven by a desire to reflect what was going on in his country. The song fast became an anthem for its generation. It topped the R&B chart and climbed to #2 Pop.
 

2

DANCING IN THE STREET
 Martha & The Vandellas
"Dancing In The Street" is one of the most irresistible songs in the Motown canon. Penned by Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter and William Stevenson, it was produced by the latter. Gaye played drums on the recording. Hunter handled percussion. Martha & The Vandellas delivered Motown one of its most energetic songs and a precursor to disco. The song beckons all to dance in unison around the USA. Martha Reeves name-checks various locations. The 1964 single reached #2 Pop in America. On the UK chart. the disc peaked at #4.
 

1
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
Marvin Gaye
Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote "I Heard It Through The Grapevine". By the time Marvin Gaye had recorded his version of the song, it had already been cut by The Miracles and Gladys Knight & The Pips. The latter's remake had peaked at #2 in 1967. Gaye covered the song on his 'In The Groove' album. Initially, Berry Gordy did not want to release a new version of the song, but he eventually relented. In late 1968, Gaye's take on the song was unleashed. The single was soon reigning over the US Pop and R&B charts. It also reached #1 in Britain. At the time, Gaye's version became Motown's all-time best selling single. Despite earlier recordings and subsequent remakes, Gaye's version remains the definitive one. The single is widely revered as a soul classic. Motown never sounded cooler or better.