Motown: The Complete No. 1’s

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 3 available)

Tracklist

1CD
2CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Ain’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
2Blowin’ in the Wind
producer:
Clarence Paul
background vocals [vocal accompaniment]:
Clarence Paul
cover recording of:
Blowin’ in the Wind
lyricist and composer:
Bob Dylan (in 1962-04)
publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (worldwide except Japan, ended 1995), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Warner Bros. Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Warner Bros., Inc. (not for release label use!), Warner/Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.) (from 1962 until 1990) and Special Rider Music (from 1990 to present)
Stevie Wonder3:04
3You Can’t Hurry Love
recording engineer:
Russ Terrana
engineer:
Lamont Dozier
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
bass:
James Jamerson (on 1966-06-11)
brass [horns]:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (on 1966-06-11)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (on 1966-06-11)
guitar [Gibson L-5]:
Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (on 1966-06-11)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1966-06-11)
piano:
Earl Van Dyke (on 1966-06-11)
tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (on 1966-06-11)
background vocals:
Florence Ballard (on 1966-07-05) and Mary Wilson (on 1966-07-05)
lead vocals:
Diana Ross (on 1966-07-05)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966) and Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 2015, in 2017)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1966-06-11 until 1966-07-05)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 280)
recording of:
You Can’t Hurry Love (from 1966-06-11 until 1966-07-05)
writer:
Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter) and Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Jobete (now‐defunct US music publisher, affiliated with BMI), Jobete Music Co., Inc., 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), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. (in 1965) 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 Supremes4.752:46
4Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
producer:
Norman Whitfield
lead vocals:
David Ruffin (soul singer, member of The Temptations)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recording of:
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
writer:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team) and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. and Stone Agate Music
The Temptations32:23
5Reach Out I’ll Be There
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (in 1966)
background vocals:
The Andantes (in 1966), Marlene Barrow (in 1966), Renaldo Benson (in 1966), Louvain Demps (in 1966), Abdul “Duke” Fakir (in 1966), Jackie Hicks (in 1966) and Lawrence Payton (in 1966)
lead vocals:
Levi Stubbs (in 1966)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (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 (in 1966)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 78) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 206)
recording of:
Reach Out, I’ll Be There (in 1966)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
EMI Songs, EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., 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)
Four Tops43:01
6You Keep Me Hangin’ On
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
cover recording of:
You Keep Me Hangin’ On (in 1966)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), MCA Music (not for release label use! this is a music publisher, ASCAP-affiliated), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Stone Agate Music Division and Jobete Music Co., Inc. (in 1986)
sub-publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Japan C.F. division (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング EMI外国事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., EMI Overseas Division, sub‐publisher for non‐Japanese works) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
recording of:
You Keep Me Hangin’ On
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), MCA Music (not for release label use! this is a music publisher, ASCAP-affiliated), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Stone Agate Music Division and Jobete Music Co., Inc. (in 1986)
sub-publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Japan C.F. division (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング EMI外国事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., EMI Overseas Division, sub‐publisher for non‐Japanese works) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Supremes3.42:42
7(I Know) I’m Losing You
producer:
Norman Whitfield
lead vocals:
David Ruffin (soul singer, member of The Temptations)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recording of:
(I Know) I’m Losing You (from 1966-09-12 until 1966-09-16)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Cornelius Grant (soul, funk and disco producer and songwriter) and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Stone Agate Music and Stone Agate Music Division
The Temptations3.52:28
8The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game
producer:
Smokey Robinson and William "Mickey" Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
recording of:
The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game
lyricist, writer and composer:
Smokey Robinson
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. and Jobete Music Co., Inc. (in 1966)
The Marvelettes2:51
9Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
recording of:
Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
The Supremes2:47
10Jimmy Mack
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1964-03-02) and Motown Studios - Hitsville West (recording and mastering studios in West Hollywood, CA) in West Hollywood, California, United States (from 1964-03-02 until 1967-01-17)
recording of:
Jimmy Mack (from 1964-03-02 until 1967-01-17)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete (now‐defunct US music publisher, affiliated with BMI) and Stone Agate Music Division
Martha & the Vandellas12:53
11The Happening
recording engineer:
Russ Terrana
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
bass:
James Jamerson (on 1967-03-02)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1967-03-02)
background vocals:
Florence Ballard (on 1967-03-02) and Mary Wilson (on 1967-03-02)
lead vocals:
Diana Ross (on 1967-03-02)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1967-03-02)
recording of:
The Happening (on 1967-03-08)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Frank De Vol, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
The Supremes52:51
12I Was Made to Love Her
producer:
Henry Cosby
bass:
James Jamerson (on 1967-03-31)
electric sitar:
Eddie Willis (on 1967-03-31)
harmonica and lead vocals:
Stevie Wonder (on 1967-03-31)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1967-03-31)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966) and Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1967)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1967-03-31)
recording of:
I Was Made to Love Her (on 1967-03-31)
writer:
Henry Cosby, Lula Mae Hardaway (songwriter), Sylvia Moy and Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music, Inc., EMI Blackwood Music Inc., Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Sawandi Music, Stone Agate Music and 大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
Stevie Wonder4.72:36
13I Heard It Through the Grapevine
producer:
Norman Whitfield
recorded at:
Motown Studios - Hitsville West (recording and mastering studios in West Hollywood, CA) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1967-06-17)
cover recording of:
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (on 1967-06-17)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), EMI Songs Australia, EMI Songs Scandinavia AB, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobette-Carlin Music Ltd., Stone Agate Music, Stone Agate Music Division 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)
Gladys Knight & the Pips3.752:47
14I Second That Emotion
guitar:
Marvin Tarplin (on 1967-09-21)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1967-09-21)
background vocals:
Warren “Pete” Moore (on 1967-09-21), Claudette Robinson (on 1967-09-21), Bobby Rogers (on 1967-09-21) and Ronald White (soul singer, founding member of The Miracles) (on 1967-09-21)
lead vocals:
Smokey Robinson (on 1967-09-21)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1967-09-21)
recording of:
I Second That Emotion (on 1967-09-21)
writer:
Al Cleveland (songwriter 1930-1996) and Smokey Robinson
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobete Music Ltd 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)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles42:46
15I Wish It Would Rain
producer:
Norman Whitfield
recording of:
I Wish It Would Rain (in 1967)
lyricist:
Roger Penzabene (songwriter, who worked mainly at Motown) (in 1967)
composer:
Barrett Strong (in 1967) and Norman Whitfield (in 1967)
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Stone Agate Music and Stone Agate Music Division
The Temptations3.652:46
16Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
producer:
Henry Cosby
recording of:
Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
writer:
Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy and Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.)
Stevie Wonder4.752:45
17Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing
producer:
Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1967-10-06)
background vocals:
Valerie Simpson (in 1967) and Nickolas Ashford (on 1967-10-06)
lead vocals:
Marvin Gaye (on 1967-10-06) and Tammi Terrell (on 1967-10-06)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1968)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1967-10-06)
recording of:
Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing (on 1967-10-06)
writer:
Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., 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), Jobete Music Co., Inc. (from 1967 to present) 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 Gaye & Tammi Terrell3.752:14
18I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
producer:
Norman Whitfield
lead vocals:
David Ruffin (soul singer, member of The Temptations)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968)
cover recording of:
I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
lyricist:
Rodger Penzabene (songwriter, who worked mainly at Motown)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Stone Agate Music and Stone Agate Music Division
recording of:
I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
lyricist:
Rodger Penzabene (songwriter, who worked mainly at Motown)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Stone Agate Music and Stone Agate Music Division
The Temptations13:32
19You’re All I Need to Get ByMarvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell42:49
20Love Child
producer:
The Clan (Motown composers/producers group)
background vocals:
The Andantes
arranger:
Paul Riser
recording of:
Love Child (Diana Ross & the Supremes song)
writer:
Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer), Pam Sawyer (British‐born American lyricist and songwriter), R. Dean Taylor (Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer) and Frank Wilson (Motown singer/songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Stone Agate Music Division
Diana Ross & The Supremes3.52:55
21I Heard It Through the Grapevine
producer:
Norman Whitfield
bass [1962 Fender Precision Bass]:
James Jamerson (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
congas and tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
drums (drum set):
Uriel Jones (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
French horn:
Don Ozga (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10) and Edwin Jones (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
guitar [1964 Gibson Firebird III]:
Eddie Willis (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
guitar [Fender Telecaster with Jazzmaster Neck]:
Joe Messina (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
Hammond organ [B-3]:
Earl Van Dyke (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
tom-tom:
Richard "Pistol" Allen (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
Wurlitzer electric piano:
Johnny Griffith (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
background vocals:
The Andantes (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10), Marlene Barrow (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10), Louvain Demps (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10) and Jackie Hicks (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
lead vocals:
Marvin Gaye (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
orchestra:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
strings arranger:
Paul Riser (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
orchestrator:
Paul Riser (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968)
recorded at and mixed at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 80), Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 93), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 119) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 307)
cover recording of:
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), EMI Songs Australia, EMI Songs Scandinavia AB, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobette-Carlin Music Ltd., Stone Agate Music, Stone Agate Music Division 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)
Marvin Gaye3.73:14
22For Once in My Life
producer:
Henry Cosby
lead vocals:
Stevie Wonder (in 1967)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968)
cover recording of:
For Once in My Life (in 1967)
lyricist:
Ronald Miller (Motown songwriter Ronald Norman Miller)
composer:
Orlando Murden
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobette Music (UK) Ltd., Stein & Van Stock, Inc., Stone Diamond Music Corporation 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)
Stevie Wonder4.12:48
23I’m Gonna Make You Love Me
producer:
Nickolas Ashford and Frank Wilson (Motown singer/songwriter)
lead vocals:
Eddie Kendricks and Diana Ross
spoken vocals:
Otis Williams (US baritone singer, member of The Temptations & The Distants)
arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968), Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968), Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968) and PolyGram (in 1968)
recorded at:
Motown Studios - Hitsville West (recording and mastering studios in West Hollywood, CA) in West Hollywood, California, United States
cover recording of:
I’m Gonna Make You Love Me (until 1968-09-13)
writer:
Kenneth Gamble (songwriter for Philadelphia International), Leon Huff (Philly soul producer, of Gamble & Huff) and Jerry Ross (Philadelphia soul composer/producer)
publisher:
Act Three Music, Down Stairs Music, MRC Music Corp., Unichappell Music, Inc., Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations2.653:07
24What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
producer:
William "Mickey" Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
recording of:
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
writer:
James Dean (US soul songwriter), Paul Riser and William Weatherspoon
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and Jobete Music (UK)
Jimmy Ruffin4.653:00
25You’ve Made Me So Very HappyBrenda Holloway2:52
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Credits

Release group

dedicated to:Levi Stubbs
Norman Whitfield
Richard ‘Popcorn’ Wylie (Pianist, singer, producer, band director and songwriter)
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/master/1572266 [info]