All week long we're counting down The Top 100 Motown Hits of the 1960's. Chart information was gathered from Dann Isbell's book "Ranking The '60's", available through Amazon.com ...
Click here: Ranking the '60s: A Comprehensive Listing of the Top Songs and Acts from Pop's Golden Decade: Dann Isbell: 9781492
Remember, the Motown Label encompassed any number of subsidiary labels ... including Tamla, Gordy, Soul ... this special look back salutes the ENTIRE Motown Family of Artists and Labels as they boomed out of our radios back in the 1960's.
And now, the countdown continues ...
#80 - A Place In The Sun - Stevie Wonder (1966) Tamla
Stevie Wonder held down the #81 and #80 spots with these "middle-of-the-road" classics ... he wouldn't really grow into his own until the early '70's ... but you will see some defining moments of greatness from the late '60's as this countdown continues.
#79 - (I Know) I'm Losing You - The Temptations (1966) Gordy
Motown's own Rare Earth would have a big hit with this a few years later. (Motown artists often remade their own hits ... one more way to keep the money "all in the family"!!!)
#78 - Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye (1963) Tamla
#77 - If I Could Build My Whole World Around You - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (1968) Tamla
#76 - My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) - David Ruffin (1969) Motown
A solo hit by the troubled Temptations singer, released between stints with the group.
#75 - Friendship Train - Gladys Knight and the Pips (1969) Soul
#74 - Nowhere To Run - Martha and the Vandellas (1965) Gordy
Click here: Ranking the '60s: A Comprehensive Listing of the Top Songs and Acts from Pop's Golden Decade: Dann Isbell: 9781492
Remember, the Motown Label encompassed any number of subsidiary labels ... including Tamla, Gordy, Soul ... this special look back salutes the ENTIRE Motown Family of Artists and Labels as they boomed out of our radios back in the 1960's.
And now, the countdown continues ...
#80 - A Place In The Sun - Stevie Wonder (1966) Tamla
Stevie Wonder held down the #81 and #80 spots with these "middle-of-the-road" classics ... he wouldn't really grow into his own until the early '70's ... but you will see some defining moments of greatness from the late '60's as this countdown continues.
#79 - (I Know) I'm Losing You - The Temptations (1966) Gordy
Motown's own Rare Earth would have a big hit with this a few years later. (Motown artists often remade their own hits ... one more way to keep the money "all in the family"!!!)
#78 - Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye (1963) Tamla
#77 - If I Could Build My Whole World Around You - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (1968) Tamla
#76 - My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) - David Ruffin (1969) Motown
A solo hit by the troubled Temptations singer, released between stints with the group.
#75 - Friendship Train - Gladys Knight and the Pips (1969) Soul
#74 - Nowhere To Run - Martha and the Vandellas (1965) Gordy
#73 - You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells (1962) Motown
Best known for her chart-topping hit "My Guy", Mary Wells was already recording hits for the label a few years earlier. This was one of them.
#72 - Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes (1966) Tamla
A Forgotten Hit in the true sense of the word. A GREAT track that EVERYBODY knows ... we guarantee you that you'll be singing along with this one ... yet radio continues to ignore it today.
Best known for her chart-topping hit "My Guy", Mary Wells was already recording hits for the label a few years earlier. This was one of them.
#72 - Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes (1966) Tamla
A Forgotten Hit in the true sense of the word. A GREAT track that EVERYBODY knows ... we guarantee you that you'll be singing along with this one ... yet radio continues to ignore it today.
#71 - I'll Be Doggone - Marvin Gaye (1965) Tamla
#70 - Quicksand - Martha and the Vandellas (1964) Gordy
#69 - Mickey's Monkey - The Miracles (1963) Tamla
#68 - Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day - Stevie Wonder (1968) Tamla
#67 - Here Comes The Judge - Shorty Long (1968) Soul
For the most part, Motown took their releases VERY seriously ... it was a competitive world out there after all. But in 1968 they just couldn't resist releasing a novelty track to cash in on the hit television series "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In".
#67 - Here Comes The Judge - Shorty Long (1968) Soul
For the most part, Motown took their releases VERY seriously ... it was a competitive world out there after all. But in 1968 they just couldn't resist releasing a novelty track to cash in on the hit television series "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In".
#66 - Baby, I Need Your Loving - The Four Tops (1964) Motown
The first countdown chart appearance for Levi Stubbs and Company ... but definitely not the last. (You'll find their two biggest hits near the top of the countdown!) Another Johnny Rivers remake charter.
#65 - If You Can Want - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1968) Tamla
#64 - Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations (1966) Gordy
In hindsight, one of the most popular and best-known tracks ever released by the label.
The first countdown chart appearance for Levi Stubbs and Company ... but definitely not the last. (You'll find their two biggest hits near the top of the countdown!) Another Johnny Rivers remake charter.
#65 - If You Can Want - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1968) Tamla
#64 - Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations (1966) Gordy
In hindsight, one of the most popular and best-known tracks ever released by the label.
#63 - Pride And Joy - Marvin Gaye (1963) Tamla
#62 - You're All I Need To Get By - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (1968) Tamla
#61 - The Way You Do The Things You Do - The Temptations (1964) Gordy
This was their big break-through hit in 1964.
More great Motown hits tomorrow in Forgotten Hits!
