ALL THE MOTOWN #1s RANKED (#16- 11). Continues tomorrow.
All the MOTOWN
No. 1 SINGLES
Hear the songs as the countdown continues on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/26CwsmyHenDGwqbVozUPxz?si=def5399e3bfc472f
*15
MY GUY
Mary Wells
[1964] Soul 7 / Pop 2
William “Smokey” Robinson
Mary Wells had already placed two singles at the Soul Chart’s pinnacle before scoring her biggest hit with this disc. “My Guy” was her only #1 on the Pop Chart. All of her chart - topping songs were penned by Smokey, another example of his winning streak as Motown’s premier (at the time) composer. She turned 21 around the time of “My Guy” and became the label’s first major act to leave for what appeared to be greener pastures. Unfortunately, Wells’ career never mirrored her success at Motown. She died of cancer in 1992. “My Guy” not only remains a Motown signature song, but its appeal inspired the answer record “My Girl” by The Temptations.
*14
I’LL MAKE LOVE TO YOU
Boyz II Men
[1994] Soul 9 / Pop 14
Babyface
Anyone suspecting that Motown had lost steam by the 1990s was proven wrong by the incredible chart achievements of Boyz II Men. The vocal group dominated the charts with not only a string of singles but record-breaking runs at the top. “I’ll Make Love To You” was Motown’s behemoth. At the time, no other single had ever ruled the chart summit for as long as its 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. The group would return the following year to reign for a record-breaking 16 weeks with the Columbia single “One Sweet Day”, recorded with Mariah Carey.
*13
REACH OUT I’LL BE THERE
The Four Tops
[1966] Soul 2 / Pop 2
Brian Holland; Lamont Dozier; Eddie Holland
The Four Tops may have only enjoyed two chart-topping hits while on Motown, but both are examples of that unique ‘Motown Sound’. The same team behind The Supremes’ incredible string of #1s created The 4 Tops’ pair: Dozier and the two Holland brothers. Levi Stubbs was the key voice in the group. He injected extra strength into “Reach Out I’ll Be There”. The song still stands out as a true Motown gem.
*12
STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE
The Supremes
[1965] Pop 2
Brian Holland; Lamont Dozier; Eddie Holland
“Where Did our Love Go” was followed at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 by “Baby Love”. That hit was succeeded by “Come See About Me”, which in turn was chased by “Stop! In The Name Of Love”. Four consecutive chart-topping singles was a rarity, let alone achieving this feat while the US was gripped by the British Invasion and Beatlemania. This fourth #1 was made even more memorable by its accompanying choreography. The single spent 4 weeks peaking at #2 on the Soul Chart. Follow-up “Back In My Arms Again” gave the girl group its fifth Pop #1.
*11
BEN
Michael Jackson
[1972] Pop 1
Don Black; Walter Scharf
Of all things, “Ben” was a touching ballad used in a film about a killer rat named Ben. Motown was grooming its young star for a second career. Michael had already showcased his talent as a member of The Jackson 5. Now, he also had a simultaneous solo career. In 1971, “Got To Be There” was his first solo hit, reaching #4 on both the Soul and Pop charts. Next, “Rockin’ Robin” saw him reach the runner-up position on both listings. “I Wanna Be Where You Are” peaked at #2 for 2 weeks on the Soul Chart, where “Ben” followed and reached #5. Michael had to wait until he switched to Epic Records in 1979 to score his first Soul Chart #1 with his second on the Billboard Hot 100: “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough”. Jackson would enjoy immense success as a soloist on the new label, including 13 Soul and 12 Pop chart-toppers.
