Favorite Reimagined Motown Covers?

[Optimal Saint]

There are a million and one covers of motown songs

I find that most of them are pretty faithful to originals

Some are not and some of those are incredible

Which reimagined, different, unique versions of Motown songs do you like the best?

I'll start with the Godfather of unique covers:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJeyL4rXPV4

[Optimal Saint]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06vo5m-NECo

[Optimal Saint]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPvn9zPwMMI

[Optimal Saint]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwylSVilvq8

[marv2]

Here's one from Timothy Wilson:


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

[lockhartgary]

I always liked this cover from Vanilla Fudge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ChToIvLRM

[phil]

I always liked this cover from Vanilla Fudge:


I love Wilson Pickett's version.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE_0RIB4yIs

[grapevine]

...an unusual Motown cover is this one by Eddie Fisher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEsfMJNUe8s

:)

[bradsupremes]

Barbara Acklin's version of "You've Been In Love Too Long" is better than the Vandellas original.

[marv2]

I know some may not care for it, but I love the rhythm on this one:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao9SIKC48vg

[marv2]

This one too:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9eQShsxkj4

[grapevine]

...and this by Helana Harris
https://youtu.be/GGUd5o37XWI

...and the instrumental
https://youtu.be/k6y1-G6-2hA

:)

[sansradio]

La Fitz kills this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apZ83SgCdG4

[marv2]

La Fitz kills this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apZ83SgCdG4

She sure did!

[marv2]

Miss Ella also did a fine job with this Marvelettes number:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or2Y9IKUTIU

[marv2]

Then there was the big guy, the Chairman!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMw-1kQE-iE

[marv2]

This is nice. Tom Jones with "River Deep, Mountain High"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11_Qf2zMfZg

[marv2]

Here does the Miracles "Love Machine"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EcSiZM9nis

[marv2]

I always like this one by Kim Carnes:


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

[mistercarter2u]

Always liked the mellow treatments of Motown classics. A few examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTA8yhRTL0I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F39zVLXzs-Y

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

And McCartney's live take on "Hitchhike."

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

[marv2]

She did a great job too!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rDLsryqOf4

[TomatoTom123]

Not exactly reimagined, but Tyrone Davis' version of "How Sweet It Is" really captures the essence of the song [[the joy!) in my opinion!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVBa-gC4-lE

[TomatoTom123]

Gloria Gaynor's version of "Never Can Say Goodbye" is so definitive I often forget its originally a Motown song!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngVetZw8hSc

[TomatoTom123]

I love The Doobie Brothers' cover of "Take Me In Your Arms"!!!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNTk9DKgnbk