Saturday, July 23, 2016

200 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #180-171. The countdown continues tomorrow. 
Hear the 10 songs added today on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte
                                                                    spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE 200
MOST ESSENTIAL
MOTOWN
Motown Productions
SONGS
180
DIDN'T YOU KNOW 
(YOU'D HAVE TO CRY SOMETIME)
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Gladys Knight's vocals infused a dramatic edge into many of the tracks she recorded with The Pips for Motown. The 1969 single is a standout example of the power of her voice. This is a Motown song that should have been a massive chart hit, but it struggled on the pop chart and only reached #11 R&B. It was written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson.
 Gladys Knight & The Pips, Didn't You Know (You'd Have To Cry Sometime), UK, Promo, Deleted, 7" vinyl single (7 inch record), Tamla Motown, TMG903, 345853
179
ANOTHER STAR
Stevie Wonder
"Another Star", an upbeat track from Wonder's 1976 opus 'Songs in the Key of Life', is a mix of R&B, jazz, disco and funk.
178
FOREVER CAME TODAY
Diana Ross & The Supremes
Showcasing a more serious and darker production, "Forever Came Today" is another stunning contribution from the Holland/Dozier/ Holland team for Motown's premier girl group in 1968. 



177
WALK AWAY FROM LOVE
David Ruffin
After David Ruffin left the Temptations to pursue a solo career, the best result he scored in his own right was "Walk Away From Love". The 1975 single reached #1 R&B and went Top 10 Pop. Van McCoy (who hit #1 with "The Hustle") produced the track.
http://s3.hulkshare.com/song_images/original/b/0/a/b0a6b89143e84897c28dfbae19ca4416.jpg?dd=1388552400
176
STONED LOVE
The Supremes
When Diana Ross announced she was leaving The Supremes, many expected the group would struggle without her up front. In 1970, "Stoned Love", the trio's 3rd post-Ross release, provided them with a 2nd Top 10 hit. In the UK, the single peaked at #3.

175
THAT'S THE WAY LOVE IS
Marvin Gaye
Following the phenomenal success of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", Marvin Gaye recorded another song from the same writing team. Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield penned "That's The Way Love Is". The latter's production on the 1969 cut does not stray too far from his touch on "Grapevine".
Marvin-way-love-is.jpg
174
BACK AT ONE
Brian McKnight
As the 20th century was nearing its end, Motown was still a chart force led by a new crop of acts on its roster. Brian McKnight, one of these musicians, scored his biggest solo hit with "Back At One", the self-penned title track from his 1999 album. He also produced the single which reached #2 Pop.
 
173
PRIDE AND JOY
Marvin Gaye
In 1963, "Pride And Joy" became Gaye's 1st Top 10 hit on the US Pop chart. The song was written by the singer with Norman Whitfield and William "Mickey" Stevenson. The latter also handled production.



172
YOU ARE
Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie's solo career was in full swing when the performer charted with "You Are" in 1983. The upbeat love song was lifted off his 1982 eponymous LP. This was his 2nd solo release and made #4 Pop, 2 R&B and topped the AC chart.
Lionel Richie (self-titled album - cover art).jpg
171
FRIENDSHIP TRAIN
Gladys Knight & The Pips
1969's "Friendship Train" is a plea for social cohesion in the same vein as The Temptations' grittier statement discs. Both groups brought social commentary to the Top 40 via compositions from Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield. "Friendship Train" peaked at #2 on the R&B chart.

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