Underrated Motown songs?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Tamla Junkie, Jan 14, 2017.

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  1. Elton

    Elton I Hope Being Helpful, Will Make Me Look Cool

    Location:
    Carson Ca.
    I have the opinion the Four Tops are way more than they were ever given credit for, Motown used them to be more acceptable to the older generation, with covers of "If I was a Carpenter", "It's All In the Game", and "McAthur Park." Some of their great singles that were lost, or didn't do as well at the time have become staples in the Four Tops discography, and these are two of my "Good old Four Tops songs" (Elton John reference).

    "7 Rooms Of Gloom" was the last single from the highest charting Four Tops album on the Hot 200 (#11). 7RoG (#14/Hot 100, #10 R&B, #12UK). The B-side of that single was "I'll Turn To Stone" also charted (#76 Hot 100, & #50 R&B). Now both appear on numerous compilations, and area an active part of the history of the group.

    They both stand as some of Levi Stubbs very impressive body of work. Also, they both were very compelling songs performed live.
     
  2. pickwick33

    pickwick33 Forum Resident

    I'm sure subsidiary labels count
     
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  3. Pseudonym

    Pseudonym Senior Member

    Location:
    Detroit, MI


    Some fellas like the way they walk, the way they swing and sway
    Some fellas like the way they talk and dig the things they say
    But I don't care if she wobbles like a duck and talks with a lisp
    I still think I'm a good lover if the dollar bills are crisp
     
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  4. McLover

    McLover Senior Member

    McLover's rule, the grittier and more downhome the Motown is, the better it is. In mono if you please, UK Tamla/Motown the best.
     
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  5. john hp

    john hp Forum Resident

    Location:
    Warwickshire, UK
    'My Smile is Just a Frown Turned Upside Down'
     
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  6. Mr Sam

    Mr Sam "...don't look so good no more"

    Location:
    France
    "If You Will Let Me, I Know I Can" - Jimmy Ruffin
    "If You Will Let Me I Know I Can" (as "If You Will Let Me") - Eddie Kendricks
    "What’cha Gonna Do" - Terry Johnson
    "You're Gone (But Always In My Heart)" - The Supremes
    "My Love Is Your Love (Forever)" - The Isley Brothers
     
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  7. john hp

    john hp Forum Resident

    Location:
    Warwickshire, UK
    'Looking for a Man' - Mable John
     
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  8. john hp

    john hp Forum Resident

    Location:
    Warwickshire, UK
    'Put Yourself in my Place' by the Elgins
     
  9. DEAN OF ROCK

    DEAN OF ROCK Forum Resident

    Location:
    Hoover, AL
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  10. Tamla Junkie

    Tamla Junkie Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Detroit, Michigan
    Yes. For this thread let's say that the following labels count:
    Tamla
    Motown
    Miracle
    Gordy
    Divinity
    Mel-O-Dy
    V.I.P.
    Soul
    MoWest
    Rare Earth
     
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  11. Tamla Junkie

    Tamla Junkie Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Detroit, Michigan
    Of course. I think it goes without saying that Smokey was among Motown's greatest assets. He's truly one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
     
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  12. MikeP5877

    MikeP5877 V/VIII/MCMLXXVII

    Location:
    OH
    Temptations - I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)

     
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  13. bartels76

    bartels76 Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    CT
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  14. Uncle Meat

    Uncle Meat Forum Resident

    Location:
    Houston, Tx, US
    I found this on one of the complete singles sets, and it immediately caught my ear..
     
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  15. Tamla Junkie

    Tamla Junkie Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Detroit, Michigan
    I can't believe I forgot to post this underrated gem. It's barely known outside of Motown collecting circles, but good God is it moving.
     
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  16. Tamla Junkie

    Tamla Junkie Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Detroit, Michigan
    Not much of a Kim Weston fan here, but that's more than worth a listen.
     
  17. If I Can Dream_23

    If I Can Dream_23 Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    This is one I immediately thought of...



    Perhaps not underrated to those who already love Motown and know how great it is, but relative to its more acclaimed A side, it seems to always get lost in the shuffle.
     
  18. Tamla Junkie

    Tamla Junkie Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Detroit, Michigan
    I absolutely adore the way Flo, Mary, and Diana hand off each line of the chorus. :love:
     
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  19. Tamla Junkie

    Tamla Junkie Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Detroit, Michigan
    I collect the US singles, but in general you're right, the UK singles are cut a bit cooler and usually sound better. That said, there's something intoxicating about the punchy, compressed, distorted sounding US singles.
     
  20. Excellent - couldn't agree more! Absolutely gorgeous ballad. Miracles actually had a lot of great overlooked B-sides - "Whatever Makes You Happy" is another personal fav...
     
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  21. The Panda

    The Panda Forum Mutant

    Location:
    Marple, PA, USA


    and I was shocked that more people didn't know My Mistake--wow, what a tune.
     
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  22. mfp

    mfp Senior Member

    Location:
    Paris, France
    A love like yours don't come knocking everyday by Martha & the Vandellas.
     
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  23. ralphb

    ralphb "First they came for..."

    Location:
    Brooklyn, New York
  24. Maseman66

    Maseman66 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Westchester, NY
    From my favorite Temptations LP, Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone

     
  25. Summer of Malcontent

    Summer of Malcontent Forum Resident

    There are so many.

    Here's one particular favourite:

    Martha and the Vandellas - Heartless
     
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