Most Recorded Motown Songs

[TomatoTom123]

Motown songs were often recycled and recorded by different artists, but I was wondering...

What is the most rerecorded Motown song? 😀

[[Recorded by Motown acts in a recording studio, that is)

The first song that comes to mind is "Everybody Needs Love", the quintessential Motown song, recorded loads of times, and by some of the company's most significant acts!

"For Once In My Life" is a weird one - it's a "Standard" but has been recorded loads of times by loads of different people [[in loads of different styles)...

And then there's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "My Girl" etc!

[marv2]

"Up the Ladder to the Roof" may not be the most re-recorded Motown song, but it is most definitely the most performed.

[ralpht]

Tom, I was fortunate to have known one of the writers of For Once In My Life, Ron Miller. He was quite a guy. One of life's true characters. That song smoothed his way for a long time.

[jobeterob]

There used to be a list on line.

I'm sure someone will find it if we look.

I see an article saying the most recorded song ever was yesterday.

It's crossing my mind the list is of the more played songs ever.

[theboyfromxtown]

maybe......

[marv2]

Smokey Robinson's "Who's Lovin' You" and Stevie's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" have been recorded quite a few times.

[marv2]

maybe......

Boy, that is rare. Thank you theboyfromxtown. This is a special find.

[marv2]

Tom, I was fortunate to have known one of the writers of For Once In My Life, Ron Miller. He was quite a guy. One of life's true characters. That song smoothed his way for a long time.

Ralph are you saying he made HUGE money from it? LOL! I couldn't help it, I am looking forward to tonights debate.

[TomatoTom123]

maybe......

Oh yes! Completely forgot about that one, a classic

[TomatoTom123]

Tom, I was fortunate to have known one of the writers of For Once In My Life, Ron Miller. He was quite a guy. One of life's true characters. That song smoothed his way for a long time.

Wow
And yeah, I bet it did! Lol!

[woodward]

maybe......

This is quite a find. I never knew that Money was issued on a 78rpm. I did read and have the information somewhere that Please Mr. Postman was also issued on a 78rpm, but I don't think it was a US pressing. Can anyone clarify?

NOTE: The spelling of Jobette.

[johnny_raven]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us2WPMsSzuM

Marvelettes "Way Over There" 78 [[Philippines)

[soulster]

Tom, I was fortunate to have known one of the writers of For Once In My Life, Ron Miller. He was quite a guy. One of life's true characters. That song smoothed his way for a long time.

One of the finest songs Motown ever released.

[theboyfromxtown]

I bet you're happy Woodward!

[TomatoTom123]

One of the finest songs Motown ever released.

Very true! - and one of the most covered, with [[according to Wikipedia) over 270 recorded versions!!

[TomatoTom123]

Recently discovered the Barrett Strong-Norman Whitfield composition, "Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me", which has been recorded by Jimmy Ruffin, The Temptations, The Four Tops and The Undisputed Truth [[in that order?) BUT I can't decide which version I like best....?

[JohnnyRavenATL]

"What's Easy For Two"- Mary Wells, Connie Haines, The Temptations, The Marvelettes
"Put Yourself in My Place"- The Elgins, The Supremes, Chris Clark, Isley Brothers
"Money That's What I Want"- Barrett Strong, Hattie Littles, The Supremes, Jr. Walker and the All Stars
"I Heard it Through the Grapevine"- The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and The Pips, The Temptation

[sansradio]

Recently discovered the Barrett Strong-Norman Whitfield composition, "Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me", which has been recorded by Jimmy Ruffin, The Temptations, The Four Tops and The Undisputed Truth [[in that order?) BUT I can't decide which version I like best....?

TomatoTom123, I'm gonna add to your dilemma. Dig this!

[TomatoTom123]

TomatoTom123, I'm gonna add to your dilemma. Dig this!

WHAT!!! Ohhh noooo, another version!!!?? I think I'm coming 'round to the original Jimmy Ruffin version, but then again I really like Paul's lead on The Tempts' one... Oh myyy, and then there's The Truth's slightly eerie but brilliant one, and The Tops' hit version - and now this, Gladys and The Pips' excellently soulful rendition of the tune...

[[I looked it up and The Pips actually recorded it first but under that different title, you know, with Gladys being a woman and all )

[TomatoTom123]

I forgot about this oft-recorded tune, "Gonna Keep On Tryin' 'Til I Win Your Love", which has been done by Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations [[twice) and The Undisputed Truth.

I prefer the version by Mr Charles Hatcher, the original and best!

[theboyfromxtown]

WHAT!!! Ohhh noooo, another version!!!?? I think I'm coming 'round to the original Jimmy Ruffin version, but then again I really like Paul's lead on The Tempts' one... Oh myyy, and then there's The Truth's slightly eerie but brilliant one, and The Tops' hit version - and now this, Gladys and The Pips' excellently soulful rendition of the tune...

[[I looked it up and The Pips actually recorded it first but under that different title, you know, with Gladys being a woman and all )

The song was originally assigned to Marv Johnson. Marvin Gaye was also assigned the track.

[TomatoTom123]

The song was originally assigned to Marv Johnson. Marvin Gaye was also assigned the track.

Wow, I didn't even know that. The plot thickens! Thank you, boyfromxtown

[robb_k]

Recently discovered the Barrett Strong-Norman Whitfield composition, "Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me", which has been recorded by Jimmy Ruffin, The Temptations, The Four Tops and The Undisputed Truth [[in that order?) BUT I can't decide which version I like best....?

Gladys Knight & The Pips!

[TomatoTom123]

Gladys Knight & The Pips!

Hmm, I think I am coming round to the Jimmy Ruffin version...
Actually, scrap that, I genuinely can't decide!

[TomatoTom123]

It's that time again, hehe... Recently discovered "Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone" which has been recorded by:

The Temptations
Gladys Knight & The Pips [[twice)
Chuck Jackson
Diana Ross & The Supremes
The Undisputed Truth

Best version...?

[grapevine]

It's that time again, hehe... Recently discovered "Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone" which has been recorded by:

The Temptations
Gladys Knight & The Pips [[twice)
Chuck Jackson
Diana Ross & The Supremes
The Undisputed Truth

Best version...?

...a few you may have missed

...Dusty Springfield
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3nF_nj4OQo

...The Jaggerz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2VR5sfJg1c

...The Dynamics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR7VmrTH02A

...The Ambassadors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pem8iKR153k

...Gaynor Bunning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWx3v_3JYGo

...Rare Earth also recorded a Motown version

[TomatoTom123]

...a few you may have missed

...Dusty Springfield
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3nF_nj4OQo

...The Jaggerz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2VR5sfJg1c

...The Dynamics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR7VmrTH02A

...The Ambassadors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pem8iKR153k

...Gaynor Bunning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWx3v_3JYGo

...Rare Earth also recorded a Motown version

Wow, thank you grapevine

[TomatoTom123]

I forgot about this oft-recorded tune, "Gonna Keep On Tryin' 'Til I Win Your Love", which has been done by Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations [[twice) and The Undisputed Truth.

The Undisputed Truth's version of the song seems pretty rare. It was only ever released as a B-Side and doesn't feature on any of their albums except for the UK issue of Down To Earth. I don't think it's ever been released on CD either...?