So we did. And here they are, the greatest Motown songs of all time. Dancing at your desk is allowed. Gladys Knight and the Pips and The Miracles both released versions of this ultimate Motown song before Marvin, but this is undoubtedly the finest version, if not the finest song ever laid to tape. A stone cold stunner. Yep, more Smokey. His heart-string tugging falsetto sits front and centre in this slowburning beauty.

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New York. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Written in , and sadly still resonant today, this song was written as a reaction to police brutality against peaceful protesters. Originally penned by Renaldo Benson of the Four Tops, who witnessed violence at Berkeley's People's Park along with Motown songwriter Al Cleveland, the song was eventually picked up and tweaked by Marvin Gaye after the Four Tops decided the song was too political for their group. To try to choose the best song to include by Stevie Wonder, who signed on to Motown when he was just 11 years old in , is seemingly an impossible feat. Still, this soul song is consummate Motown, and its irrepressible energy is undeniable. One of the Miracles biggest hits, written by frontman Smokey Robinson, this song became a success for Smokey and, a few years later, for Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations, who performed it as a group duet.
Best motown songs
Newly added names are in Red. Edited By: Jeff B. Last Updated: Where Did Our Love Go? What's Goin' On? Please Mr. Postman - Marvelettes
By Variety Staff. Follow Us on Twitter. It is difficult to think of a more impossible task than attempting to rate the 60 all-time greatest Motown songs. While this list may not be definitive — what could be? This single hit No. One of the rawest recordings in the Motown canon, the track features only piano, guitar, drums and tambourine and has seen its share of covers from rock bands such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Kingsmen, Paul Revere and the Raiders and others. Dobbins would leave the group before making the record.