Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Pop # 1, R&B # 1 By Joel Francis Producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield had finally triumphed. His fourth attempt at recording “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” had finally made it past Berry Gordy’s Quality Control meetings and triumphed at the top of the charts. [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Berry Gordy’
Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Berry Gordy, Buddy Miles, California Raisins, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gladys Knight, Hitsville U.S.A., Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Norman Whitfield, Temptations on November 11, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Diana Ross and the Supremes – “Love Child”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged abstinence, Berry Gordy, Billie Jean, Deep Purple, Diana Ross, Ed Sullivan show, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, the Clan, the Corporation, the Supremes on October 23, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Diana Ross and the Supremes – “Love Child,” Pop # 1, R&B # 2 By Joel Francis The departure of Holland-Dozier-Holland reverberated throughout Hitsville, but no one felt it as acutely as the Supremes. Between 1964’s “Where Did Our Love Go” and 1967’s “Reflections,” the powerhouse songwriting and production triumvirate landed 10 songs at No. [...]
Gladys Knight and the Pips – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy, Daydream Believer, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Isley Brothers, Jerry Wexler, King Curtis, Marvin Gaye, Monkees, Norman Whitfield, psychedelic soul, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, the Pips, the Supremes on September 9, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Gladys Knight and the Pips – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Pop # 2, R&B # 1 By Joel Francis Unlike nearly every other soul singer at the time, Gladys Knight didn’t want to go to Motown. She was (rightly) worried she and her group, the Pips, would end up playing second fiddle to [...]
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “More Love”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Berry Gordy, Bette Davis Eyes, David Ruffin, Diana Ross, Hitsville U.S.A., Kim Carnes, Martha Reeves, New Christy Minstrels, Paul Young, Smokey Robinson, Tamla Robisnson, the 5th Dimension, The Miracles, The Temptations on September 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “More Love,” Pop # 23, R&B # 5 By Joel Francis Smokey Robinson has penned dozens of gorgeous love songs throughout his career, but few are affecting as “More Love.” The reassuring lyrics speak to the tragedies the couple suffered as a result of life on the road. Between [...]
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Ashford and Simpson, Berry Gordy, Harvey Fuqua, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, Marvin Gaye, soul music, Tammi Terrell on August 26, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Pop # 19, R&B # 3 By Joel Francis Marvin Gaye found his greatest early success as a duet partner. The 1964 album “Together” was his first album to chart, and his duets placed in the Top 20 with a consistency that eluded him [...]
Four Tops – “Bernadette”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Four Tops, Freda Payne, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, Honey Comb, Levi Stubbs, Norman Whitfield, the Supremes on August 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Four Tops – “Bernadette,” Pop # 4, R&B # 3 By Joel Francis Levi Stubbs’ performance on “Bernadette” cements his status as Motown’s greatest male vocalist. The magnificent feats Stubbs laid down on the Four Tops previous pair of singles, “Reach Out” and “Standing in the Shadows of Love” reaches an impassioned crescendo on “Bernadette.” [...]
Michael Jackson: We want you back
Posted in Motown, tagged Ben, Berry Gordy, Billie Jean, hannah montana, Hitsville U.S.A., Jackson 5, Jonas Brothers, King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson tribute, Miley Cyrus, moonwalk, Motown 25, the Corporation on June 26, 2009 | 4 Comments »
(Above: Bill Cosby emcees the Jackson 5′s infectious reading of “I Want You Back.”) By Joel Francis Before Michael Jackson was the King of Pop or Wacko Jacko he was little Michael, the adorable child singer for the Jackson 5. Michael and his brothers were the final star group to come out of Hitsville U.S.A. [...]
Temptations – “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep”
Posted in Motown, tagged Berry Gordy, Bruce Springsteen, David Ruffin, Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Funk Brothers, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, James Jamerson, Jimmy Ruffin, Mary Wilson, Norman Whitfield, Paul Riser, Pistol Allen, Smokey Robinson, Supremes, Temptations, The Miracles on May 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Temptations – “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” Pop #3, R&B #1 By Joel Francis After teaming to give the Tempts a No. 1 R&B hit with “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” Norman Whitfield and Eddie Holland paired again to deliver “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” which fared even better. The song was the Temptations’ third [...]
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