Ten Best to Grace the Motown Label

By Broadside Style Columnist Andy Minor

10. Diana Ross & The Supremes
In addition to being catchy and wonderful, I had the distinct pleasure of growing up listening to the Supremes. They were one of my mother's favorite bands, and, even though when I was younger I didn't really appreciate all the love songs, I am glad now that I have the foundation to appreciate them. Anytime it comes on, I'm happy to hear “Baby Love.” It's just one of those great songs you never get tired of.

9. Gladys Knight & The Pips
Do I really have to say anything here, or is “Midnight Train to Georgia” enough? Should I even bring up “Heard it Through the Grape Vine”? If you want to talk about an all around polished act, look no further than this classic. Gladys has one of those voices that you'll never forget and the Pips knew how to dress, dance, grow their hair and stress important lyrics through harmonious echo. They are just plain classy all the way around.

8. Boyz II Men
Obviously, the most modern group on the Motown list, in no way does time discredit this grossly talented foursome. One of their songs, “I'll Make Love to You,” has been featured on my lists of the past, and I see no reason to repeat myself. These guys had that smooth R&B sound nailed, and it's almost a guarantee to make any woman who hears it melt. I'm also not ashamed to admit that back in the day at my local Pizza Hut, I would let these guys spin on the jukebox.

7. The Isley Brothers
A buddy of mine makes a little money on the side spinning records at parties, and one of his favorite things to hear is the chorus of inebriated partygoers screaming, “Shout!” at the incorrect times during this classic. And even though “Shout” is powerful enough for The Isley Brothers to occupy a spot on my list, these guys also made famous the song “Twist and Shout,” which was covered by The Beatles. And if you are singing a song that's good enough to get covered by The Beatles, then you've got to be good.

6. Marvin Gaye
“Let's Get it On” aside, Marvin Gaye had one hell of a voice and a whole career of hits to back it up. I doubt him being on the Motown label was significant, because this guy could have been successful anywhere. He sang gracefully in duets like “Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing” and was also a joy to hear solo in songs like “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).” And while his recordings with Columbia records are inexhaustible, it's his work on Motown that gave him his roots.

5. The Jackson 5
It's my personal opinion that if you can't sing along to the bass line of “I Want You Back,” then you need to seriously rethink your musical tastes. At the same time, everyone should know “ABC” like the back of their hand. There's no disputing the Jackson 5; they are one of those acts that everyone can agree are great. Even if you aren't really into the Motown sound that these guys boast, you can at least agree that their music is fun to listen to. In my mind, it's obvious that their front man turned into the King of Pop, which brings me to my next number:

4. Michael Jackson
Okay, so most of his hits came after he was off the Motown label, but I think that if you are rooted in something, it becomes a big part of your sound. Case in point: Michael himself. While his early solo stuff was distinctly Motown, a lot of that carried into his later works, until eventually he went off the deep end. “Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough” is a great example of this. That song is just as easy to dance to as any Jackson 5 number, but still shows a little bit more of the solo Michael we love just as much. Now if he'd only stop being so weird...

3. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Smokey Robinson has to have one of the greatest voices I have ever heard. It's just so crisp and, at the same time, it sounds like it's being cast through a smoke filter. I guess that's why his name is Smokey. But still, The Miracles are responsible for the song “Love Machine,” which has to be one of the best tracks in human history. And as the love machine powers forth, we still have the timeless classic of “Tears of a Clown,” which may be the only number one single ever to have a bassoon part. These guys are superb and the Motown label is clearly better for having them.

2. The Temptations
I had a really hard time deciding between The Temptations and my number one choice, but I'll just say that I hate putting all these great acts into a specific order. It is down here at the bottom of the list where everything gets extremely difficult, the reason being that The Temptations are without a doubt, one of the most influential musical groups of the past 50 years. As if “Ain't Too Proud to Beg” wasn't enough, you've got to throw in “My Girl” and “Get Ready.” Do the hits ever stop with these guys? No. They nail that Motown sound and do it while wearing stylish matching suits.

1. Stevie Wonder
What can I say about Stevie that will possibly do him justice? I feel like no matter what I say, I'm going to cut him short or leave something out. From the minute those horns hit you in “Uptight (Everything is Alright)” to the wonderful fade out in “For Once in my Life,” you've got Stevie's Motown stylings raising a smile to your lips. And Motown is only the start of his career, as he branched out and has turned himself into a musical genius over the years. Just another great example of how good having your roots in Motown is.