In The Groove, Motown Melodies, Sixties

IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 12, 2023)

Nancy's Notes đŸ–ŠïžđŸŽ¶

“Motown was about music for all people – white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers. I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.” – Berry Gordy, Motown Founder

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Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!

Let’s continue our musical journey with Motown’s first great girl group – high school friends Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman and Wanda Young – also known as the Marvelettes. Gladys, the group’s lead singer, was only 15 years old; what were you doing when you were 15?

Founded in 1960, the group signed to Motown’s Tamla label in 1961. Some of their early hits were written by the group’s members and a couple of Motown’s rising singer/songwriters, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye (who played drums on a majority of their early recordings).

Despite their successful start, the group was eclipsed in popularity by the Supremes, with whom they shared an intense rivalry. The Marvelettes made a comeback in 1966 with several hits but struggled and ceased performing together in 1969. The group disbanded for good in 1970.

“Please Mr. Postman”, recorded in 1961, was one of the first #1 singles by an all-female vocal group and the first by a Motown recording act. It is easily Motown’s best single to date – a song with a killer tune, a sound like nothing else out there and a lyrical hook which listeners around the world instantly latched on to.

Here now the fantastic sound of “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes”:

Not bad for a group of teenage high school girls! I repeat, what were you doing when you were 15 years old?

Let’s check out the Marvelettes’ discography and listen to a couple more of their hits. This next one has always been a personal favorite. 😉

I hope you enjoyed today’s Motown sounds of the Marvelettes; it’s difficult to resist the urge to get up and dance!

Thanks for being here with me, movin’ and groovin’ to some great Motown Melodies; please join me next Tuesday for more terrific sounds out of the Motor City. 🚙

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

NAR © 2023

16 thoughts on “IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 12, 2023)”

  5. Bill is not to be messed with! 😂
    Maybe it’s just me but their tunes can make even the most stiff character to get up and start groovin’ with the music. Like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction or Samuel L Jackson in Shaft!

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    1. No, he is not! Back off, ladies, or the Sicilian volcano is gonna erupt!đŸ€Ł
      It’s not just you, Nick; to paraphrase Nancy Sinatra, these tunes were made for dancin’. So glad you’re digging them!
      Pulp Fiction … don’t get me started on that! 😎

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  6. Good morning! Definitely Don’t Mess with Bill. 😂😂 I reckon this could be re-released and shoot right up the charts. I’m have to look up Gladys Knight and the Pips – when they were popular. I always liked them.

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    1. These songs, IMO, are timeless; I agree – if they were released today they would be instant hits. Good music like this never goes out of style.
      When I first came up with the idea for Motown Melodies, I was going to have that theme be chronological starting with the first group signed to Motown and having the theme last for a few months. Then I though people might get tired of the same theme for an extended period so I cut it down to one month, keeping the chronological order and focusing on one group per week showcasing several videos. What that translates into is September is dedicated to Motown and next month will be a new theme (and what a theme it will be!). Keeping with the chronological order, I won’t get to Gladys/Pips this month; hopefully, if my new In The Groove format is successful, I’ll get to them on my next go-round.
      Morning, sis! And you’re right about Don’t Mess With Bill! He’s my guy đŸ„°

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