Motown sings Motown - covers we wish we could have

[sup_fan]

I know a lot of groups covered Motown songs. But often the arrangements were considerably different. Starting a list of covers using the primary/hit version arrangement

Love Hangover - Supremes MSS w Scherrie on lead
The Boss - Thelma Houston
Johnny One Note [[Sing R&H) - Supremes w flo lead
Take Me In Your Arms - Marvelettes w Gladys lead
Beginning of the End - four tops. Would also love a Sup version w Mary lead
Loves gone bad - Martha and vandellas

[TomatoTom123]

Great thread sup_fan!

I have wondered about what a Jimmy Ruffin version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" would sound like... mmm... yes

I'll probably come back with loads more! :D

[sup_fan]

thought of some more!

Where did our love go - mary wells
Surrender - Supremes lead by Jean

[aarondillon2011@gmail.com]

Quicksand, I'm Ready For Love, Jimmy Mack, Darling Baby; The Supremes

[TomatoTom123]

Gladys Knight & The Pips' "The End Of Our Road" is one of my fave Norman Whitfield songs and and I would love to hear versions by maybe Edwin Starr or The Undisputed Truth...

The Monitors' "Bring Back The Love" done by The Temptations... ooh yes... :)

[masterblaster]

Always thought the songs given to Diana Ross and Thelma Houston for the Thank God Its Friday movie were given to the wrong singer so how about
Lovin' Livin' and Givin' - Thelma Houston
Love Masterpiece - Diana Ross

[TomatoTom123]

Always thought the songs given to Diana Ross and Thelma Houston for the Thank God Its Friday movie were given to the wrong singer so how about
Lovin' Livin' and Givin' - Thelma Houston
Love Masterpiece - Diana Ross

Haha... nice, masterblaster, I'd never thought of that before... just swap 'em round...

Also, Diana would be amazing doing a version of Thelma's sassy "Triflin"

[longtimefan]

"Darling Baby" by D-M-F/C
"Keep On Loving Me" by D-M-F/C***

***Could have been a hit single!!!! You can hear the Motown version by Frances Nero on YouTube.

[luckyluckyme]

Cal Street & Richard Street- It Takes Two

[TomatoTom123]

Cal Street & Richard Street- It Takes Two

Oh now that would be lovely to hear... nice one lucky :)

[Ozmo]

Stoned Love - Gladys Knight and the Pips

Just My Imagination - Marvin Gaye

I'll Be There - Diana and Marvin

Never Can Say Goodbye - Thelma Houston

The Bells - The Supremes [[Jean lead)

Creepin' - The Supremes [[Mary lead)

[theboyfromxtown]

Cal Street & Richard Street- It Takes Two

Interesting suggestion.

[Motown Eddie]

My picks:
Mary Wells doing "Mr. Misery" or "My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down".
Four Tops doing "I Guess I'll Always Love You"
The Supremes doing "One Way Out"
Gladys Knight & the Pips doing "Go Ahead And Laugh"

[Thornton]

Loving this thread. Here are a few of mine.

"Sir Duke"-The Supremes w/Scherrie lead
"Love Machine"-The Supremes-MSC or MSS
"Stoned Love"-Stevie Wonder
"Love Child"-Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

[rovereab]

Baby I'm For Real - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
You And I [[from Talking Book) - Diana Ross
Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Four Tops

[jobucats]

We've mentioned this one before, but I haven't seen it on this current thread: "Come 'Round Here" - Four Tops

[jsmith]

Marvin Gaye -- Love A Go Go
Isley Brothers -- Determination
Isley Brothers -- Beauty's Only Skin Deep
Isley Brothers -- It's So Hard Being A Loser
Isley Brothers -- Just A Little Misunderstanding
Isley Brothers -- Nothing's Too Good For My Baby
Isley Brothers -- Ain't That Asking For Trouble
Isley Brothers -- I Want My Baby Back

[greg jones]

These were covers that were actually recorded and shelved ? or just ones that everyone wished had been covered by those artists ?

[sup_fan]

Just fun requests. Lots of groups did covers of other Motown songs. Usually w different arrangements and backing tracks. Sometimes totally revamped. Like Blinky's version of The Hunter gets Captured

Rather than discuss whether or not a new version is good or not I figured it would be fun to NOT change the track. So who would u wish to hear single some of your fav songs in the original version?

[sup_fan]

Love Gladys doing Stoned!! And the pips would add a totally different element to the vocals

[lockhartgary]

"It's a Shame" - Temptations with Richard Street doing lead

[RanRan79]

Sup Fan I was going to start this very same thread [[title the same!) last week in the hopes of redirecting attention back to the music and I got caught up in the drama and didn't do it. So glad you did though. And I'm loving these responses! Especially love the following suggestions:

"Take Me In Your Arms" for the Marvelettes [[I can totally hear Gladys Horton doing this justice)

"I'm Ready for Love"- Supremes [[I've mentioned in a previous thread that other than Martha having this cut, I wish it had gone to the Supremes because it's so great)

"Just My Imagination"- Marvin Gaye [[I'm not a big fan of this song, even though it has my favorite Temptation singing lead. But I think Marvin singing it would've been fantastic.)

"I'll Be There"- Diana and Marvin [[Perfect!)

"I Guess I'll Always Love You"- Four Tops [[I can literally hear the Tops doing this tune in my head!)

"Go Ahead and Laugh"- Gladys and Pips [[Gladys would've murdered this song.)

"Baby I'm For Real"- Marvin and Tammi [[Suddenly I'm sad that this never happened. They would've been perfect on it.)

You and I- Diana Ross [[I think she would've killed this had she recorded it, same track and all.)

[RanRan79]

Here are my suggestions:

Love the idea of the Supremes [[MSS) doing "Love Hangover", except I would have Mary sing lead on the first part of the song and then have Scherrie come in on the disco part.

"Going Down for the Third Time" [[Supremes)- Martha and the Vandellas

As Long As There Is L-O-V-E Love [[Jimmy Ruffin)- Marvin Gaye

Happy [[Michael Jackson)- Diana Ross

Signed, Sealed, Delivered [[Stevie Wonder)- J5 w/ MJ on lead, but I think Jermaine could also sing it well

Hey Love [[Stevie Wonder)- Marvin Gaye

You'll Never Cherish a Love So True [[Delphis)- Supremes w/ Flo on lead

Ask the Lonely [[Four Tops)- Temptations w/ either David or Paul on lead, I think they both would've done it well

[sansradio]

Happy [[Michael Jackson)- Diana Ross

RanRan, if you haven't seen this, it should make you...happy! [@ 2:07]:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDwf1yG_4Zs

[144man]

Don't Leave Me This Way - Four Tops

It's So Hard Being A Loser - Jimmy Ruffin

[RanRan79]

RanRan, if you haven't seen this, it should make you...happy! [@ 2:07]:

Thanks Sans!! While it sounds like she was struggling vocally a bit, it still sounds nice to my ears. Supposedly there's a live version of her doing "Happy" from the 1974 Caesar's Palace show that didn't make the final album. Hopefully it will see the light of day at some point. Thanks again Sans!

[sansradio]

Thanks Sans!! While it sounds like she was struggling vocally a bit, it still sounds nice to my ears. Supposedly there's a live version of her doing "Happy" from the 1974 Caesar's Palace show that didn't make the final album. Hopefully it will see the light of day at some point. Thanks again Sans!

You got it, kiddo! Yes, while she struggled and needed a lyric sheet, her magic is undeniable as always.

[honest man]

Great choice Ranran Baby im for real Marvin and Tammi 2 just my imagination Marvin.Excellent suggestions if only.cheers.

[Luciano]

Great thread! Loving it.

My suggestions:
* Standing In The Shadows Of Love [[Four Tops) - Marvin Gaye
* Reflections [[Supremes) - The Marvelettes [[Wanda Lead)
*What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted [[Jimmy Ruffin) - David Ruffin
* I Heard It Through The Grapevine [[Marvin Gaye) - Chuck Jackson
*Every Little Bit Hurts [[Brenda Holloway) - The Supremes [[Jean Terrell Lead)
*Contract of Love [[Steve Wonder) - The Jackson 5
* Do You Love Me [[Contours) - Jr. Walker
* You Need Love Like I Do [[Don't You) [[Gladys & the Pips) - The Four Tops
* Never Can Say Goodbye [[Jackson 5) - Gladys Knight and the Pips
Got To Give It Up [[Marvin Gaye) - Eddie Kendricks

[Ozmo]

Great thread! Loving it.

My suggestions:
* Standing In The Shadows Of Love [[Four Tops) - Marvin Gaye
* Reflections [[Supremes) - The Marvelettes [[Wanda Lead)
*What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted [[Jimmy Ruffin) - David Ruffin
* I Heard It Through The Grapevine [[Marvin Gaye) - Chuck Jackson
*Every Little Bit Hurts [[Brenda Holloway) - The Supremes [[Jean Terrell Lead)
*Contract of Love [[Steve Wonder) - The Jackson 5
* Do You Love Me [[Contours) - Jr. Walker
* You Need Love Like I Do [[Don't You) [[Gladys & the Pips) - The Four Tops
* Never Can Say Goodbye [[Jackson 5) - Gladys Knight and the Pips
Got To Give It Up [[Marvin Gaye) - Eddie Kendricks

Interesting list Luciano. It got me thinking about the following 2 alternate versions:

You Need Love Like I Do - Yvonne Fair
Got To Give It Up - Teena Marie

[robb_k]

"Darling Baby" by D-M-F/C
"Keep On Loving Me" by D-M-F/C***

***Could have been a hit single!!!! You can hear the Motown version by Frances Nero on YouTube.
13440
Frances did a fine job on it. Her version should have been a hit. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have heard singing it [[Kim Weston, Brenda Holloway, Carolyn Crawford, Tammi Terrell, Mary Wells, The Velvelettes).


Maybe I'd have liked to hear Blinky sing "California Soul" to The Messengers' great Funk Brothers' background tracks.

Jimmy Ruffin's "On The Avenue" done by The Fantastic Four or by The Contours with Dennis Edwards on lead.

"Mr. Misery" done by Carolyn Crawford

"Everybody Needs Love" done by The Monitors [[Richard Street lead)

"You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet" [[Mary Love) done by The Velvelettes

"Let Me Know" [[Mary Love) by Mary Wells

"Thank You Love" [[Billy Eckstine's background) done by Dennis Edwards' Contours

"Just The Way You Are" [[Marv Johnson) by The Monitors [[Richard Street lead)

"That Was My Girl" [[Parliaments) done by The Temptations [[David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks switch leads like in "Your My Everything")

"If You Can Stand Me" [[Tamala Lewis) done by Kim Weston

"Choo Choo Train" [[Little Lisa) done by The Marvelettes

[RanRan79]

Great thread! Loving it.

My suggestions:
* Standing In The Shadows Of Love [[Four Tops) - Marvin Gaye
* Reflections [[Supremes) - The Marvelettes [[Wanda Lead)
*What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted [[Jimmy Ruffin) - David Ruffin
* I Heard It Through The Grapevine [[Marvin Gaye) - Chuck Jackson
*Every Little Bit Hurts [[Brenda Holloway) - The Supremes [[Jean Terrell Lead)
*Contract of Love [[Steve Wonder) - The Jackson 5
* Do You Love Me [[Contours) - Jr. Walker
* You Need Love Like I Do [[Don't You) [[Gladys & the Pips) - The Four Tops
* Never Can Say Goodbye [[Jackson 5) - Gladys Knight and the Pips
Got To Give It Up [[Marvin Gaye) - Eddie Kendricks

I can definitely hear Michael singing "Contract Of Love" and David singing "Brokenhearted". Gladys doing "Never Can Say Goodbye" would've been killer.

[Ngroove]

"For Once In My Life" - "traditional" style - done by Marvin Gaye

[Luciano]

I can definitely hear Michael singing "Contract Of Love" and David singing "Brokenhearted". Gladys doing "Never Can Say Goodbye" would've been killer.

I agree. For some reason I can hear David singing the the line "Cold and alone, no comfort in sight" in my head.

[Luciano]

Interesting list Luciano. It got me thinking about the following 2 alternate versions:

You Need Love Like I Do - Yvonne Fair
Got To Give It Up - Teena Marie

Great suggestions for those songs!

[daviddh]

Jimmy Mack.....Supremes

[biggestfourtops fan]

The Four Tops definitely should've done those James Dean/William Weatherspoon songs.
1. I'VE PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE
2.LOVE GIVES, LOVE TAKES AWAY
3. IT'S SO HARD BEING A LOSER
4. FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND
many many more.

[sup_fan]

Let Yourself Go/IGLMHDTW/love I never knew you could feel - Teena Marie
Floy Joy- Wanda Rodgers
Superstition- supremes w Jean lead

[Boogiedown]

Hey, nobody wants to hear Smokey?? :p:confused:



David Ruffin: "DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY"
questionable if he'd outperform Teddy , but I'd like to hear him try!

Eddie Kendricks : "CRUISIN'"

Billy Preston : "I'M COMING OUT"

[RanRan79]

"For Once In My Life" - "traditional" style - done by Marvin Gaye

Absolutely! And I can hear him doing Stevie's version too.

[RanRan79]

Hey, nobody wants to hear Smokey?? :p:confused:

I Hear a Symphony [[Supremes)- the Miracles

Take Me In Your Arms and Rock Me [[Kim Weston)- the Miracles [[might seem like a risky choice but believe it or not I think it would work)

If It's Magic [[Stevie)- Smokey Robinson

[McMotown]

Great thread Sup_fan,

May I suggest the Originals doing J Walkers What Does It Take and Bobby Taylors I Am Your Man

[TomatoTom123]

Tammi Terrell on Carolyn Crawford's "I'm Ready For Love"

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas on The Supremes' "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes"

[TomatoTom123]

David Ruffin: "DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY"
questionable if he'd outperform Teddy , but I'd like to hear him try!

Eddie Kendricks : "CRUISIN'"

Oooh, those are good ones, boogie :)

[RanRan79]

Great thread Sup_fan,

May I suggest the Originals doing J Walkers What Does It Take and Bobby Taylors I Am Your Man

Yes to the Originals doing "What Does It Take"!

[RanRan79]

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas on The Supremes' "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes"

Great suggestion. I don't usually hear the two groups doing each other's songs much justice, but I think Martha and the girls would have really done a great job on "Lovelight".

[TomatoTom123]

Tammi Terrell on Carolyn Crawford's "I'm Ready For Love"

Oh my, what on earth am I saying!? "I'm Ready For Love" by Carolyn Crawford??!! I meant "I'll Come Running"!!!!

Another typo, eh, RanRan?!! Lol :D

[RanRan79]

Oh my, what on earth am I saying!? "I'm Ready For Love" by Carolyn Crawford??!! I meant "I'll Come Running"!!!!

Another typo, eh, RanRan?!! Lol :D

You're full of 'em Tom!!:p

[floyjoy678]

I'd like to have heard the Supremes cover "Take Me In Your Arms" with Flo on lead. I really think she could have rocked the song out with Mary and Diana providing great backup vocals.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I would have loved to hear Diana Ross & The Supremes singing The Marvelettes' "When You're Young And In Love". I'm pretty sure it would have made Van McCoy's day!

[sup_fan]

Some Sup songs I'd like to hear Martha ATV do:

Lovelight
How long evening train been gone
Bill where are you coming back
Going down for third time
Thank him for today
Baby baby

MRATV songs I'd like to hear the Sups do
No one There - Jean lead
Tear it on down - Jean lead
I'm in love and I know it - Diana lead
Forget me not - Diana lead

[jboy88]

"For Once In My Life" - "traditional" style - done by Marvin Gaye

It's quite baffling to think that Marvin, who initially was aiming at being Motown's answer to Nat Cole, never cut his own version of this classic.

I'd also would of loved to of heard a take by The Jackson 5 with a post-pubescent Michael leading.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Diana Ross & The Supremes singing one of my favorite H-D-H tracks --
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas' "Leave It In The Hands Of Love".

[RanRan79]

I'd like to have heard the Supremes cover "Take Me In Your Arms" with Flo on lead. I really think she could have rocked the song out with Mary and Diana providing great backup vocals.

I agree. I actually think any one of the girls could have done a good job on this one.

[RanRan79]

MRATV songs I'd like to hear the Sups do
No one There - Jean lead
I'm in love and I know it - Diana lead
Forget me not - Diana lead

Yes to these three, but I would also add that I would have liked to hear Diana doing "No One There". Didn't Martha say that much of the Black Magic album was intended for Ross?

[RanRan79]

It's quite baffling to think that Marvin, who initially was aiming at being Motown's answer to Nat Cole, never cut his own version of this classic.

Let's hope Marvin's version just hasn't surfaced yet. There has to be one!