Classic Motown

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1I Can’t Help Myself
recording engineer:
Russ Terrana
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
baritone saxophone:
Mike Terry (60s US soul arranger/conductor) (in 1965)
bass [1962 Fender Precision Bass]:
James Jamerson
drums (drum set):
Richard "Pistol" Allen (in 1965)
guitar [1964 Gibson Firebird III]:
Eddie Willis (in 1965)
guitar [Fender Telecaster with Jazzmaster Neck]:
Joe Messina (in 1965)
guitar [Gibson L-5]:
Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (in 1965)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (in 1965)
piano:
Earl Van Dyke (in 1965)
strings:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (in 1965)
tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (in 1965)
vibraphone:
Jack Brokensha (in 1965)
background vocals:
The Andantes (in 1965), Marlene Barrow (in 1965), Renaldo Benson (in 1965), Louvain Demps (in 1965), Abdul “Duke” Fakir (in 1965), Jackie Hicks (in 1965) and Lawrence Payton (in 1965)
lead vocals:
Levi Stubbs (in 1965)
recorded at and mixed at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (in 1965)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1965 (recordings) (number: 30), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 148), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 415) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 483)
recording of:
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (in 1965)
lyricist:
Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter) and Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Stone Agate Music Division
Four Tops3.62:45
2Dancing in the Street
producer:
William Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
baritone saxophone:
Thomas Bowles (on 1964-06-29)
bass guitar:
James Jamerson (on 1964-06-29)
drums (drum set):
Marvin Gaye (on 1964-06-29)
guitar:
Joe Messina (on 1964-06-29), Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (on 1964-06-29) and Eddie Willis (on 1964-06-29)
other instruments [tire iron]:
Ivy Jo Hunter (on 1964-06-29)
percussion, tambourine and vibraphone [vibes]:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (on 1964-06-29)
tenor saxophone:
Henry Cosby (on 1964-06-29)
trombone:
George Bohanon (on 1964-06-29) and Paul Riser (on 1964-06-29)
trumpet:
Russell Conway (trumpet player) (on 1964-06-29) and Herbert Williams (trumpet player) (on 1964-06-29)
background vocals:
Rosalind Ashford (on 1964-06-29), Ivy Jo Hunter (on 1964-06-29), Betty Kelly (on 1964-06-29) and William Stevenson (Motown songwriter) (on 1964-06-29)
lead vocals:
Martha Reeves (on 1964-06-29)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1964) and UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1964)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1964 (recordings) (number: 7), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 40), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 130) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 403)
recording of:
Dancing in the Street (on 1964-06-29)
writer:
I. Hunter, M. Gaye and W. Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), FCG Music, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., MG III Music, NMG Music, Stone Agate Music, Stone Agate Music Division, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas3.552:39
3The Tears of a Clown
guitar:
Marvin Tarplin (on 1966-09-26)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1966-09-26)
background vocals:
Warren “Pete” Moore (on 1966-09-26), Claudette Robinson (on 1966-09-26), Bobby Rogers (on 1966-09-26) and Ronald White (soul singer, founding member of The Miracles) (on 1966-09-26)
lead vocals:
Smokey Robinson (on 1966-09-26)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1967) and UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1970)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1966-09-26)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 190) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 313)
recording of:
The Tears of a Clown (on 1966-09-26)
lyricist:
Smokey Robinson
composer:
Henry Cosby, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music, Inc., Jobete Music Ltd and Jobette Music (UK) Ltd.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles3.93:01
4It Takes Two
vocals:
Kim Weston
recording of:
It Takes Two
writer:
Sylvia Moy and William Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. and Stone Agate Music
Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston32:55
5My Guy
bass:
James Jamerson (in 1964)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (in 1964)
guitar:
Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (in 1964) and Eddie Willis (in 1964)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (in 1964)
organ:
Earl Van Dyke (in 1964)
piano:
Johnny Griffith (in 1964)
trombone:
George Bohanon (in 1964) and Paul Riser (in 1964)
trumpet:
Russell Conway (trumpet player) (in 1964) and Herbert Williams (trumpet player) (in 1964)
vibraphone:
Dave Hamilton (US guitar/vibraphone player) (in 1964)
background vocals:
The Andantes (in 1964), Marlene Barrow (in 1964), Louvain Demps (in 1964) and Jackie Hicks (in 1964)
lead vocals:
Mary Wells (Motown singer) (in 1964)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (in 1964)
recording of:
My Guy (in 1964)
lyricist and composer:
Smokey Robinson
publisher:
Jobette Music (UK) Ltd.
Mary Wells4.22:52
6Heaven Must Have Sent You
recording of:
Heaven Must Have Sent You (on 1966-06-02)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Jobette-Carlin Music Ltd.
The Elgins3:09
7Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
producer:
Norman Whitfield
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11)
background vocals:
Melvin Franklin (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11), Eddie Kendricks (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11), Otis Williams (US baritone singer, member of The Temptations & The Distants) (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11) and Paul Williams (member of The Temptations) (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11)
lead vocals:
David Ruffin (soul singer, member of The Temptations) (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11)
recording of:
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg (from 1966-01-04 until 1966-01-11)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team) and Norman Whitfield
composer:
Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Stone Agate Music and Stone Agate Music Division
cover recording of:
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team) and Norman Whitfield
composer:
Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Stone Agate Music and Stone Agate Music Division
The Temptations4.352:32
8Stop! In the Name of Love
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
background vocals:
The Andantes (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11), Florence Ballard (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11) and Mary Wilson (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
lead vocals:
Diana Ross (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1965)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1965 (recordings) (number: 13) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 254)
recording of:
Stop! In the Name of Love (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Stone Agate Music Division, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Supremes4.152:53
9Shotgun
recording engineer:
Lawrence T. Horn
producer:
Berry Gordy and Lawrence T. Horn
bass:
James Jamerson (in 1964)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer)
guitar:
Eddie Willis (in 1964) and Willie Woods (US guitarist & songwriter) (in 1964)
Hammond organ [B-3]:
Johnny Griffith
membranophone:
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (in 1964)
organ:
Vic Thomas (keyboard) and Victor Thomas (keyboardist) (in 1964)
tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (in 1964)
tenor saxophone and lead vocals:
Junior Walker (in 1964)
background vocals:
Willie Woods (US guitarist & songwriter) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (in 1964)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1965 (recordings) (number: 27)
recording of:
Shotgun (in 1964)
writer:
Autry De Walt
composer:
Autry De Walt and Junior Walker
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK), Jobete Music Co. and What Does It Take Publishing (BMI-affiliated)
Jr. Walker & the All Stars3:05
10Just a Little Misunderstanding
recording of:
Just a Little Misunderstanding (on 1966-03-10)
composer:
Morris Broadnax (Soul and R&B music songwriter), Clarence Paul and Stevie Wonder
The Contours2:43
11My Weakness Is You
recording of:
My Weakness Is You
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Norman Whitfield
Edwin Starr2:34
12Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
producer:
Stevie Wonder
lead vocals:
Stevie Wonder (in 1970)
arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1970)
part of:
Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970 (number: 31)
recording of:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (in 1970)
writer:
Lee Garrett, Lula Mae Hardaway (songwriter), Syreeta (US singer‐songwriter active 1970s–80s) and Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music, EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music Co., Inc., Sawandi Music, Stone Agate Music and 大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
Stevie Wonder4.32:39
13What’s Going On
producer:
Marvin Gaye
mixer:
Lawrence Miles (on 1971-05-06)
instruments:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (on 1971-05-06) and The Funk Brothers (on 1971-05-06)
percussion [box drum], piano and lead vocals:
Marvin Gaye (on 1971-05-06)
background vocals:
Lem Barney (on 1971-05-06), Mel Farr (on 1971-05-06) and Marvin Gaye (on 1971-05-06)
conductor:
David Van dePitte (on 1971-05-06)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1971)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1971-05-06)
part of:
Helsingin Sanomat: 100 maailman parasta laulua (2022-1-15) (number: 4), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 4), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 6), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 102) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock
recording of:
What’s Going On (on 1971-05-06)
lyricist and composer:
Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland (songwriter 1930-1996) and Marvin Gaye
publisher:
EMI Songs Australia, FCG Music, Jobete Music Co., Inc., MG III Music, NMG Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd. and Stone Agate Music Corp.
sub-publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Marvin Gaye4.23:54
14ABC
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
drums (drum set):
Gene Pello (in 1970-01)
electric bass guitar:
Wilton Felder (in 1970-01) and Bob West (US session bassist, producer & songwriter) (in 1970-01)
guitar:
Don Peake (in 1970-01), Louis Shelton (in 1970-01) and David T. Walker (in 1970-01)
keyboard:
Freddie Perren (in 1970-01)
background vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Marlon Jackson (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1970-01)
lead vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Jermaine Jackson (soul/pop singer, of Jackson 5) (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1970)
recorded at:
Sound Factory (1969–1980) in Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1970-01)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 174)
recording of:
ABC (in 1970-01)
writer:
Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer)
composer:
Erik Huber (audio engineer, producer, composer)
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
The Jackson 54.12:58
15Help Me Make It Through the Night
cover recording of:
Help Me Make It Through the Night
lyricist and composer:
Kris Kristofferson
publisher:
BMG Songs Ltd., Combine Music Corp., EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., EMI Songs Ltd., Keith Prowse Music Publishing Co. Ltd. and KPM (music publisher)
sub-publisher:
Air Music Scandinavia AB
Gladys Knight & the Pips4:22
16My Love Is Your Love (Forever)
The Isley Brothers3:09
17It’s a Shame
producer:
Stevie Wonder
recording of:
It’s a Shame (on 1970-04-29)
lyricist and composer:
Lee Garrett, Syreeta (US singer‐songwriter active 1970s–80s) and Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music and Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.)
The Spinners3.653:08
18I’m Coming Out
producer:
Bernard Edwards (American bassist and record producer) and Nile Rodgers
conductor:
Bernard Edwards (American bassist and record producer) and Nile Rodgers
remixer:
Russ Terrana
arranger:
Bernard Edwards (American bassist and record producer) and Nile Rodgers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1980) and Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1980)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 385) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 436)
recording of:
I’m Coming Out
writer:
Bernard Edwards (American bassist and record producer) and Nile Rodgers
publisher:
Bernard’s Other Music, Sony Songs and Tommy Jymi Inc.
Diana Ross3.95:22
19You Can’t Stop a Man in Love
Reuben Howell2:40
20Machine Gun
producer:
James Anthony Carmichael and Commodores (US funk/soul band with Lionel Richie)
arranger:
James Anthony Carmichael
recorded at and mixed at:
Motown Recording Studios (recording and mastering studios in West Hollywood, CA) in West Hollywood, California, United States
recording of:
Machine Gun
lyricist and composer:
Milan Williams
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc.
Commodores3.752:40
3▶CD