25 Years of Great Original Hits: The Motown Story

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1CD: Golden Showcase 1961-74
2CD: Golden Showcase 1975-85
3CD: Unforgettable No. 1s
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Reach Out I’ll Be There
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (in 1966)
background vocals:
The Andantes (in 1966), Marlene Barrow (in 1966), Renaldo Benson (in 1966), Louvain Demps (in 1966), Abdul “Duke” Fakir (in 1966), Jackie Hicks (in 1966) and Lawrence Payton (in 1966)
lead vocals:
Levi Stubbs (in 1966)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (in 1966)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 78) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 206)
recording of:
Reach Out, I’ll Be There (in 1966)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
EMI Songs, EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Stone Agate Music Division, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Four Tops42:59
2Baby Love
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
baritone saxophone:
Mike Terry (60s US soul arranger/conductor) (on 1964-08-13)
bass:
James Jamerson (on 1964-08-13)
drums (drum set):
Richard "Pistol" Allen (on 1964-08-13)
foot stomps [footstomps]:
Michael Valvano (on 1964-08-13)
guitar:
Eddie Willis (on 1964-08-13)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1964-08-13)
piano:
Earl Van Dyke (on 1964-08-13)
tenor saxophone:
Henry Cosby (on 1964-08-13)
vibraphone:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (on 1964-08-13)
background vocals:
Florence Ballard (on 1964-08-13) and Mary Wilson (on 1964-08-13)
lead vocals:
Diana Ross (on 1964-08-13)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1964) and UMG Recordings (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1964-08-13)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1964 (recordings) (number: 4), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 324) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 499)
recording of:
Baby Love (on 1964-08-13)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. and Stone Agate Music Division
The Supremes4.452:37
3My Girl
producer:
Smokey Robinson and Ronald White (soul singer, founding member of The Miracles)
bass:
James Jamerson (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
guitar:
Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
strings:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
background vocals:
Eddie Kendricks (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17), Otis Williams (US baritone singer, member of The Temptations & The Distants) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17) and Paul Williams (member of The Temptations) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
lead vocals:
David Ruffin (soul singer, member of The Temptations) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
performer:
The Temptations (Motown soul vocal group) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
strings arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 3), Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1965 (recordings) (number: 11), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 43) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 88)
recording of:
My Girl (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
lyricist:
Smokey Robinson
composer:
Smokey Robinson and Ronald White (soul singer, founding member of The Miracles)
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Music for Africa (South Africa), Poochum, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Temptations4.52:44
4You Can’t Hurry Love
recording engineer:
Russ Terrana
engineer:
Lamont Dozier
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
bass:
James Jamerson (on 1966-06-11)
brass [horns]:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (on 1966-06-11)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (on 1966-06-11)
guitar [Gibson L-5]:
Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (on 1966-06-11)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1966-06-11)
piano:
Earl Van Dyke (on 1966-06-11)
tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (on 1966-06-11)
background vocals:
Florence Ballard (on 1966-07-05) and Mary Wilson (on 1966-07-05)
lead vocals:
Diana Ross (on 1966-07-05)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966) and Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 2015, in 2017)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1966-06-11 until 1966-07-05)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 280)
recording of:
You Can’t Hurry Love (from 1966-06-11 until 1966-07-05)
writer:
Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter) and Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Jobete (now‐defunct US music publisher, affiliated with BMI), Jobete Music Co., Inc., Stone Agate Music Division, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. (in 1965) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Supremes4.752:46
5ABC
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
drums (drum set):
Gene Pello (in 1970-01)
electric bass guitar:
Wilton Felder (in 1970-01) and Bob West (US session bassist, producer & songwriter) (in 1970-01)
guitar:
Don Peake (in 1970-01), Louis Shelton (in 1970-01) and David T. Walker (in 1970-01)
keyboard:
Freddie Perren (in 1970-01)
background vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Marlon Jackson (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1970-01)
lead vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Jermaine Jackson (soul/pop singer, of Jackson 5) (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1970)
recorded at:
Sound Factory (1969–1980) in Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1970-01)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 174)
recording of:
ABC (in 1970-01)
writer:
Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer)
composer:
Erik Huber (audio engineer, producer, composer)
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc. and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
The Jackson 54.12:56
6Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
producer:
Nickolas Ashford, Henry Cosby and Valerie Simpson
arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1970)
part of:
Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970 (number: 6)
cover recording of:
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
writer:
Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Songs, EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music Co., Inc. and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
Diana Ross4.153:35
7Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
producer:
Norman Whitfield
lead vocals:
Dennis Edwards (US soul & R’n’B singer) (in 1972), Damon Harris (in 1972) and Richard Street (in 1972)
conductor:
Paul Riser (in 1972)
arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972) and Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 168) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 333)
cover recording of:
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (in 1972)
lyricist and composer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Stone Diamond Music Corporation, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Temptations46:57
8What’s Going On
live recording of:
What’s Going On
lyricist and composer:
Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland (songwriter 1930-1996) and Marvin Gaye
publisher:
EMI Songs Australia, FCG Music, Jobete Music Co., Inc., MG III Music, NMG Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd. and Stone Agate Music Corp.
sub-publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
recording of:
What’s Going On
lyricist and composer:
Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland (songwriter 1930-1996) and Marvin Gaye
publisher:
EMI Songs Australia, FCG Music, Jobete Music Co., Inc., MG III Music, NMG Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd. and Stone Agate Music Corp.
sub-publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Marvin Gaye4:00
9Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)
producer:
Michael Masser
vocals:
Diana Ross
conductor:
Lee Holdridge
arranger:
Lee Holdridge and Michael Masser
recording of:
Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)
lyricist:
Gerry Goffin
composer:
Michael Masser
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc., Screen Gems–EMI Music, Inc. (USA, affiliated with BMI), イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
part of:
The 48th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
Diana Ross53:25
10Being With You
recording of:
Being With You
lyricist and composer:
Smokey Robinson
publisher:
Bertram Music Company, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Primary Wave Robinson
Smokey Robinson4:01
11Three Times a Lady
producer:
James Anthony Carmichael and Commodores (US funk/soul band with Lionel Richie)
lead vocals:
Lionel Richie
arranger:
James Anthony Carmichael and Commodores (US funk/soul band with Lionel Richie)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1978), Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1978, in 1979) and UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1978)
part of:
Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1978 (number: 10)
recording of:
Three Times a Lady
lyricist and composer:
Lionel Richie
publisher:
Brenda Richie Publishing, Brockman Enterprises, Inc., EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Libren Music
Commodores3.653:39
12I’ve Never Been to Me
producer:
Don Costa (US pop music arranger & producer), Berry Gordy and Ron Miller (Motown songwriter Ronald Norman Miller)
arranger:
Don Costa (US pop music arranger & producer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1977) and Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (from 1982 to present)
recording of:
I’ve Never Been to Me
writer:
Ken Hirsch (American pop songwriter, composer, pianist, producer, and arranger) and Ron Miller (Motown songwriter Ronald Norman Miller)
publisher:
Stone Diamond Music Corporation
Charlene3:55
13One Day in Your Life
producer:
Sam Brown
arranger:
Sam Brown
recording of:
One Day in Your Life
lyricist:
Samuel F. Brown III
composer:
Renée Armand
publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30), Jobete Music Co., Inc. (from 1974 to present) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Michael Jackson3.54:14
14I Heard It Through the Grapevine
producer:
Norman Whitfield
bass [1962 Fender Precision Bass]:
James Jamerson (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
congas and tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
drums (drum set):
Uriel Jones (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
French horn:
Don Ozga (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10) and Edwin Jones (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
guitar [1964 Gibson Firebird III]:
Eddie Willis (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
guitar [Fender Telecaster with Jazzmaster Neck]:
Joe Messina (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
Hammond organ [B-3]:
Earl Van Dyke (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
tom-tom:
Richard "Pistol" Allen (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
Wurlitzer electric piano:
Johnny Griffith (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
background vocals:
The Andantes (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10), Marlene Barrow (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10), Louvain Demps (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10) and Jackie Hicks (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
lead vocals:
Marvin Gaye (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
orchestra:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
strings arranger:
Paul Riser (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
orchestrator:
Paul Riser (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968)
recorded at and mixed at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 80), Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 93), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 119) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 307)
cover recording of:
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), EMI Songs Australia, EMI Songs Scandinavia AB, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobette-Carlin Music Ltd., Stone Agate Music, Stone Agate Music Division and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
cover recording of:
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (on 1967-04-10)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), EMI Songs Australia, EMI Songs Scandinavia AB, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobette-Carlin Music Ltd., Stone Agate Music, Stone Agate Music Division and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
Marvin Gaye4.053:14
15Bernadette
recording of:
Bernadette
writer:
Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter) and Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
Four Tops3:02
16You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1962 (number: 10) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock
recording of:
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
lyricist and composer:
Smokey Robinson (in 1962-10)
publisher:
Dominion Music, Jobete Music (UK), Jobete Music Co., Inc., United Partnership Ltd., イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
part of:
Baby It’s You! (jukebox musical, book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott)
The Miracles4.53:00
17Get Ready
producer:
Smokey Robinson
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29)
background vocals:
Melvin Franklin (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29), David Ruffin (soul singer, member of The Temptations) (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29), Otis Williams (US baritone singer, member of The Temptations & The Distants) (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29) and Paul Williams (member of The Temptations) (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29)
lead vocals:
Melvin Franklin (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29) and Eddie Kendricks (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29)
recording of:
Get Ready (from 1965-12-05 until 1965-12-29)
lyricist and composer:
William “Smokey” Robinson
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Temptations4.252:36
18Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
producer:
Henry Cosby and William Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
lead vocals:
Stevie Wonder (in 1965)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1965)
recording of:
Uptight (Everything’s Alright) (in 1965)
lyricist and composer:
Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy and Stevie Wonder
publisher:
EMI April Music Inc., Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music Co., Inc., Sawandi Music and Stone Agate Music
Stevie Wonder4.652:56
19Jimmy Mack
recording of:
Jimmy Mack
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete (now‐defunct US music publisher, affiliated with BMI) and Stone Agate Music Division
Martha and the Vandellas2:54
20It Takes Two
vocals:
Kim Weston
recording of:
It Takes Two
writer:
Sylvia Moy and William Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. and Stone Agate Music
Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston52:57
4CD: The Great Romantic Hits
5CD: Favourites from the 70s
6CD: Hall of Fame