Indeed, a list of Motown classics could fill a book.
Motown Records’ creative ingenuity and commercial prowess made it a hit machine.
Here are 10 essential singles from Motown’s Detroit era (1959-1972), as selected by the Detroit Free Press and its readers to commemorate the label’s 50th anniversary.
A piece of sweet soul bubblegum from Michael Jackson and his brothers gave them a second No. 1 hit.
Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson’s composition proved versatile enough to soar in three very different sets of hands: first as a duet, then as an epic solo three years later.
Gaye snagged his second million-seller with this Miracles-penned bit of infectious melancholy, topped by Marv Tarplin's guitar and Smokey Robinson's clever lyric.
Yeah, so what man wouldn't beg if he could do it with David Ruffin's raspy tenor?
Almost operatic in scope, packed with strings and grand flourishes, this sophomore Four Tops hit is an anthem for the heartsick.
Recorded at 2 a.m. after a gig at Detroit's 20 Grand club, "Baby" made for one heck of a sleeper breakthrough.
Been missin' ya, miss kissin' ya ... Ahhh, yes ... Diana Ross coos her way into the world's arms.
The Supremes scored five consecutive No. 1 hits in '64-'65. This warm tribute to reunited love was the fifth.
The veteran R&B quartet scored again thanks to an iconic bass line from James Jamerson and reliably ear-grabbing lead vocal from Levi Stubbs.
In the heat of Motown’s pressure cooker, Lamont Dozier hurriedly but masterfully penned this mid-tempo classic under pressure to follow up the Supremes' first hit.
Learn more about how Black voices made American music what it is today