Written for Song Lyric Sunday
where the challenge is to write
about a song dealing with taxes
and/or money. Here’s my response.
Category: Motown Melodies
Monday Motown Magic 5.20
Another popular Motown sound from the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland is Marvin Gaye’s “You’re A Wonderful One”, recorded and released in 1964 on the Tamla label.
In the song, the narrator praises his “wonderful one” for loving him and for “always (being) around”. Gaye is helped along on this song by The Supremes on background. The great group of session musicians known as The Funk Brothers provided the backing on this number; they incorporated elements of Chuck Berry’s “Memphis” into the intro of this song. “Wonderful One” charted at #15 on the pop charts and #3 on the R&B singles chart.
From February 1964, this is Marvin Gaye with “You’re A Wonderful One”.
And this is what was on the B side – “When I’m Alone I Cry” (a very different sound for Marvin Gaye).
Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.
See you on the flip side. 😎
NAR©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.
Monday Motown Magic 5.13
When you listen to the many great tunes of The Temptations, I’m sure the one thing you don’t know or even imagine as possible is that their first seven singles were commercial failures. In contrast their hit soul/R&B single “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, released in 1964 from their album Meet The Temptations, was a huge success. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to #1 on the Cash Box R&B chart. “The Way You Do The Things You Do” was written by Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers of The Miracles; now that you know that I think you’ll hear that familiar Miracles’ influence.
Otis Williams of The Temptations recalled in 2009: “The first time we heard the song, we loved it. The melody swung, and the lyrics had lots of charm. It was typical Smokey talkin’ about how to get a girl and he made it all work. It got a good response whenever we did it live, so our hopes were up. We knew from past experience that even the best tracks don’t always click.”
I guess after seven flops, Otis knew what he was talking about.
From 1964 here are The Temptations with their first hit, “The Way You Do The Things You Do”.
And this is what was on the B side – “Just Let Me Know” written by Berry Gordy, Jr.
Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.
See you on the flip side. 😎
NAR©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.
Monday Motown Magic 4.8
The Motown Sound has something extra-special about it. Berry Gordy, Jr. knew people would be listening on their car stereos and transistor radios and he was going to do what it took to make songs sound good and memorable. Even if you couldn’t put your finger on it, when a Motown song came on, baby, you knew it. Still do.
Not every story is a success. The early history of Motown Records is filled with promising newcomers who didn’t find immortality along the lines of the Supremes or the Temptations. A guy with the unlikely name of Henry Lumpkin is one example, a young singer and composer who bore more than a passing resemblance to Chubby Checker physically and Ben E. King vocally. Henry had one good song under his belt …. “What Is A Man (Without A Woman)”, cowritten by himself and Carolyn Strong, produced by Brian Holland and Robert Bateman. Poor Henry never charted and by the end of 1962 he was off the Motown roster. Mostly forgotten by all but the most hardcore soul enthusiasts, Henry Lumpkin was one of many early Motown discoveries who deserved better than he got, or at least better luck than he found, with his records.
From January 1962, here’s a funky, gritty dance number by Henry Lumpkin. This is “What Is A Man (Without A Woman)” …. an excellent question!
And this is what was on the B side – “Don’t Leave Me” (cowritten by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy)
Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.
See you on the flip side. 😎
NAR©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.
IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 26, 2023)
“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
🚗 🚙 🚗
Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!
It’s the last Tuesday of September – time to conclude our musical journey in the Motor City. I’ve chosen to start today’s segment with a 1963 high octane hit by another incredible girl group that you’re all sure to know.
Is it my imagination or is it getting hot in here?
“Heat Wave” was written by the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland and was first made popular by the group “Martha and the Vandellas”. Released as a single on the Motown subsidiary Gordy label, this song garnered a Grammy Award nomination, the first Motown group to ever do so.
Founded in 1957 by friends Annette Beard, Rosaline Ashford and Gloria Williams, the group eventually included Martha Reeves who moved up in ranks as lead vocalist after Williams’ departure in ’61. During their nine-year run from 1963-1972, “Martha and the Vandellas” charted over 26 hits recorded in the styles of doo-wop, R&B, pop, blues, rock and roll and soul. In 1995 the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Heat Wave” was one of the first songs to exemplify the style of music later termed as the “Motown Sound”. Here are Martha and the Vandellas performing their 1963 hit, “Heat Wave”.
What a great song by a terrific group – the epitome of that legendary “Motown Sound” that still sounds fresh and new today.
I have a few more dimes left for the jukebox; let’s punch up a couple more hits by “the girls”.
Wow! What a great bunch of songs! I’ve been loving listening to the Motown girl groups; how about you? Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about these great Motown hits.
Another month is in the books, kids. Thanks for movin’ and groovin’ with me to the greatest sounds to come out of the Motor City! 🚗
Be sure to join me here next Tuesday as we dive into a brand new category for October. What will it be? All I can say is you don’t wanna miss it. We’re flying to England where we’ll be kicking it up and raising some hell!
See you on the flip side.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 19, 2023)
“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
🚗 🚙 🚗
Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!
Let’s continue our musical journey with Motown’s third R&B #1 hit.
In 1960, Berry Gordy signed a talented group of vocalists called The Contours as one of Motown’s first acts. “Do You Love Me?”, recorded in 1962, was The Contours third single, far and away their best-known record. This song blazed its way up the charts and became a smash hit before being goosed all the way up the charts again more than 25 years later thanks to a little movie called “Dirty Dancing”.
This record is not just a big hit; it’s an enduring classic that’s still going strong!
Let’s give a listen to The Contours asking an age-old question: “Do You Love Me?”
For straight up Rock & Roll, it doesn’t get much better than that! I was just a kid when that song came out. My sister was a high school sophomore; she and her friends would jump up and dance every time The Contours came on the radio. They wouldn’t let me join in their teenage fun but that didn’t stop me. I made my own good times … dancing in my bedroom in front of the mirror with the door closed so no one could see me!
Do you remember dancing to that great Motown hit?
Well, sixty years later, under the direction and leadership of the group’s founder, Joe Billingslea, The Contours continue to shake ’em down. During its distinguished career, the group has entertained tens of millions of fans and sold millions of records along the way. The Contours are ranked as one of the top 500 R&B artists of all time according to “Top R&B Singles 1952-1995″ compiled from Billboard Magazine’s charts.
Let’s see what other recordings I can come up with for The Contours.
And now here’s a rare clip; if you haven’t been dancing yet, this is one that’ll get you moving!
I hope you’ve been enjoying these great early Motown tunes; they sure have brought back a lot of memories for me. Your comments are always welcome so let me know what you’re thinking.
Thanks for stopping by today; please join me next Tuesday as we conclude this segment of In The Groove with more great sounds out of the Motor City. 🚗
Keep on movin’ and groovin’, kids.
See you on the flip side.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 12, 2023)
“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
🚗 🚙 🚗
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
IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 5, 2023)
Above the front windows of Motown Records’ Detroit headquarters was a sign that read “Hitsville U.S.A.” Placed there by Motown founder Berry Gordy soon after his company moved into the modest home on W. Grand Blvd, the sign demonstrated Gordy’s blazing self-confidence. At the time that sign wasn’t much more than wishful thinking. Then the wishes started coming true.
Founded on Jan. 12, 1959, Motown quickly became another Detroit factory; where the Big Three produced automobiles, Motown assembled the soul and pop classics that changed America. There’s no exaggeration in that statement. Arriving at the height of the civil rights movement, Motown was a black-owned, black-centered business that gave white America something they just could not get enough of — joyous, sad, romantic, mad, movin’, groovin’ music.
A former boxer and automobile worker, Berry Gordy was a budding songwriter when, at the urging of Smokey Robinson, he decided to establish Motown Records. The two had become friends years earlier and Robinson, who was the lead singer of a band called The Miracles, produced, wrote, and sang several of Motown’s most memorable hits — including the label’s first smash song, “Shop Around” in 1960. A year later, “Please Mr. Postman,” by The Marvelettes, was the label’s first No. 1 song. It would not be the last.
The Motown Sound has something extra-special about it. Berry Gordy knew people would be listening on their car stereos and transistor radios and he was going to do what it took to make songs sound good and memorable. Even if you couldn’t put your finger on it, when a Motown song came on, you knew it. Still do.
🚗 🚙 🚗
Welcome to In The Groove: Motown Melodies! Let’s start our musical journey for September with The Miracles’ first smash hit – a song about a mother giving advice to her grown son on how to find a woman worthy of being a girlfriend or wife. From 1960, written by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, here’s “Shop Around” by The Miracles.
That was the timeless sound of classic Motown – still fresh and fabulous 63 years later! I’ve got a bunch of dimes for the jukebox; let’s listen to a few more from The Miracles:
Turn the lights way down low; it’s ‘slow-dancin’ and romancin’ time. This one was my first.
Five teenaged friends from Detroit formed The Miracles in 1955; ten years later the group would be known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. The group and its music has had an incredible impact, influencing scores of artists from many different musical genres around the globe. The original lineup has consistently been praised by critics in major music magazines and has received numerous honors and awards for its contributions to the music industry.
I hope you enjoyed the first installment of In The Groove: Motown Melodies; I’d love to read your comments. Please join me here every Tuesday in September for more terrific sounds out of the Motor City. 🚙
It was great fun movin’ and groovin’ with you today!
See you on the flip side.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
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