100 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #50-41. The countdown continues next weekend.
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

SONGS

50

ABC

Jackson 5

Which song overpowered The Beatles' "Let It Be" from #1 on the US Chart? It was "ABC" by The Jackson 5. Written and produced by The Corporation (which included Berry Gordy Jr.), the pop nugget charged to the top on both the Pop and R&B charts in 1970 and soon became a signature song for the group.
 

49

EASY

The Commodores

Even those that dismiss the syrupy balladry of Lionel Richie cannot deny the songwriting craft evident in "Easy". The Commodores sprinkled a dose of country in the soul classic. It was soon a crossover success, peaking at #4 Pop and topping the R&B chart in America. The disc reached the Top 10 in Britain. In 1992-3, Faith No More returned the Richie-penned song to the world charts with a remake.
 

48

NEITHER ONE OF US 
(WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE)

Gladys Knight & The Pips

Gladys Knight & The Pips' final single before departing Motown was an appropriate swansong at the label. "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)" was a first class recording by the vocal group. Released in 1972, the moving break-up song peaked at #2 Pop and topped the R&B chart in the USA. Increasingly frustrated with the lack of support at the label, the group decided to sign with Buddah Records in early 1973. Gladys Knight & The Pips finally scored a string of major hits for the new record company, including its only Pop #1 single "Midnight Train To Georgia".

47

I WISH

Stevie Wonder

"I Wish" is a nostalgic funky jam lifted off Stevie Wonder's 'Songs In The Key Of Life' album. In 1976, the single reached the top in the USA and Canada. The disc peaked at #5 in the UK.
 

46

THEME FROM MAHOGANY
(DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO)

Diana Ross

Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser composed "Do You Know Where You're Going To" for use in the Motown film 'Mahogany'. The movie was another star vehicle for Diana Ross. Issued in 1976, the single topped the American Pop and AC charts.
 

45

THE TRACKS OF MY TEARS

The Miracles

Produced and co-written by Smokey Robinson, "The Tracks Of My Tears" is an example of the magic of The Miracles' catalogue. Dealing with a man hiding the sadness behind his smile, the lyrics were instantly identifiable. The single peaked at #2 on the US R&B chart and reached #9 Pop in Britain.
                  
44

SUPER FREAK

Rick James

Rick James' sound was coined "punk funk". The global smash hit "Super Freak" became his biggest success in 1981. Lifted off James' landmark 'Street Songs' album, the track topped the US Dance chart. Background vocals are provided by The Temptations. It was sampled in 1990 for MC Hammer's massive hit "U Can't Touch This".
 

43

IT TAKES TWO

Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston

One of Motown's most enduring duets is "It Takes Two". Written by William "Mickey" Stevenson and Sylvia Moy, the former also produced the recording. There have been countless remakes of the track since Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston's original in 1966.
 

42

YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE
Stevie Wonder

Wonder's 3rd US #1 single on the Pop chart was the meticulously constructed "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life". He avoids turning the song into a cheesy tune by sticking to the lite-jazz and pop/ soul fusion that is a winning combo. The ballad was soon a standard, topping the AC chart and reaching the Top 10 in Britain, Canada and Australia.

   

41

REFLECTIONS
Diana Ross 
& The Supremes

"Reflections" marks the moment when Motown's leading group adopted the new billing Diana Ross & The Supremes. Along with this historical turning point, the recording raised the bar in terms of production techniques. Holland / Dozier / Holland wrote the song. It reached #2 Pop and 4 R&B in 1967. In the UK, the disc peaked at #5. Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier handled production, incorporating sound effects and elements of psychedelic soul. The songwriters were nearing the cessation of its association with the girl group and Motown.