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There are some Motown songs that give me that "Feel Good Factor". Whilst there are many Motown masterpieces and big hits, these songs have just that little something.
Off the top of my head, these have that certain something for me:
My Baby Loves Me - Martha & The Vandellas
Love Is In Our Hearts - The Supremes
Two Can Have A Party - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Do you have a similar view on some Motown songs? If you do, what songs are they?
'Dancing In The Street', with the fanfare intro, and Martha with "caaalling out..", which then sets the tone for the record. :)
It's actually a 'feel bad' song but, right from the intro, I just love the triumphant brass and dancing strings of 'Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I' by The Velvelettes, and Cal's voice moaning and insinuating the lyrics, riding the music. Stereo version much the best IMO.
The middle break just nails it, every time. :)
Odd choice but "Just My Imagination". I could get lost in a state of bliss for days in that arrangement, especially those gorgeous strings and that timpani!
I think "You're My Remedy" by the Marvelettes is a great pick-me-up song. So are "Up the Ladder to the Roof" and "Stoned Love" by The Supremes. I'll add "You're a Wonderful One" by Marvin Gaye to this list, too.
One that come to the top of my head: "I Got A Feeling" by The Four Tops :D
The single version of "I'm Ready for Love" by Martha and the Vandellas comes to mind, as does the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love", the Tempts' "Get Ready", Marvin's "You're a Wonderful One", Stevie's "Hello Young Lovers", the Miracles' "What's So Good About Goodbye" [[even though lyrically it's not a happy song). They all put me in a good mood with the combination of vocals and music.
"All I Need" The Temptations makes me happy when hearing it.
Five that give me the Feel Good Factor :):
Heaven Must Have Sent You - The Elgins
Everything's Good About You - The Supremes
Something About You - The Four Tops
You're a Wonderful One - Marvin Gaye
Two Can Have A Party - Marvin & Tammi
It's so many to choose from,but to make it quick:
Don't Stop Now:The Originals
Special Occasion: Smokey & Miracles
I'll Keep On Holding On: The Marvelettes
Baby I've Got It: Jimmy Ruffin
Hot 'N' Tot: Earl Van Dyke & The Funk Brothers [[ I drop the Soul).
Many of the unreleased songs have that same feeling for me:
My Business, You're Pleasure, Soulful Shack[[Version 1): Smokey & The Miracles
Gonna Make It Up To You: Kim Weston
The Train That's Bringing My Baby Back,Learning To Forget You: The Marvelettes
Jealousy Is Creeping Up On Me: The Contours
Imagination Is Running Wild: The Spinners
Among a plethora of others.
YOU TOO?? Mercy! I too love "the triumphant brass and dancing strings" of this song. But when I heard this song's stereo mix, it blew me away, until it got to the middle break- then I was blown off the planet! You can really hear those horns workin' overtime. Cal's soft, cool, delivery as the wounded girl is a fantastic counterpoint to the upbeat sounds of the music track.Quote:
Originally Posted by westgrandboulevard
"Just Another Morning" from The Originals always works - but the so does "Green Grow The Lilacs"
What a brilliant topic Rovereab and I love your choicesabove all My Baby Loves Me. Of course, Motown produced predominantly feelgoodmusic but here are some favourites off the top of my head:
Anything and everything Junior Walker ever did
Head To Toe – Chris Clarke
Girl, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue - Tempts [[like WestGrand B essentaillay a sad song but such uplifting music)
Down To Love Town – Originals
Hey Harmonica- Stevie
Got To Give It Up – Marvin
Everybody’s Got The Right To Love – Supremes
Wow, such an amazing thread, I’ll be up all night withmore after more after more. Thanks Roverab!
What immediately comes to my mind is The 70s Supremes unreleased “Soft Days.” It’s so relaxing and makes me smile,
Perhaps we could encourage the release of a new Motown album called:
Feelgood Motown
:)
I nominate The Supremes’ “Precious Little Things.” Makes me glow every time.
Good topic since there are so many Motown classics that have that 'feel good factor'. My choices are:
"Knock On My Door"-The Marvelettes
"Let This Day Be"-Martha & the Vandellas
"My Baby"-The Temptations
"Something About You"-Four Tops
"All That's Good"-The Miracles
"My Guy"-Mary Wells
"Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart"-The Supremes
"Everything Is Good About You"-The Supremes
"[[I'm A) Road Runner"-Jr. Walker & the All Stars
"Your Love Is Wonderful"-Four Tops
"Floy Joy" - The Supremes
"Friendship Train" - Gladys Knight and the Pips
"The Love You Save"- Jackson 5
Yes, this one makes me feel good when I hear it.Quote:
Originally Posted by sansradio
Absolutely agree with these Eddie. I would also add to my list:Quote:
Originally Posted by Motown Eddie
Stevie- "Hold Me"
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas- "I'm In Love and I Know It"
Four Tops- "Without the One You Love"
Supremes- "Buttered Popcorn"
The two greatest Motown records ever made have the feelgood factor:
Heat Wave - Martha & the Vandellas
Reach Out I'll Be There - Four Tops
Just thought of another song, aptly named:
It's a Good Feeling - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
An interesting idea and I know exactly what you mean! Too many to mention but I think if I had to pick just one it would be Frank Wilson's 'Do I Love You'.
Another one:
Stevie Wonder - "Sylvia"
"Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music" by either The Supremes, Spinners or Four Tops!
"Happy" - Eddie Kendricks
'So Glad It's Summertime' - The Marvelettes.
Should of been a B-side or at least an L.P track in my opinion.
But Quality Control thought otherwise!
A simple song with the 'feelgood' factor I think.
Cheers
Paul
I was going to add some more, but then it became an exercise of what to leave out instead of what to put in, so I gave up.
Same here 144man, so I'm still thinking...
But just to prompt you to name one, didn't you once mention a Smokey Robinson & The Miracles recording which you really like?
'When The Words From Your Heart Get Caught Up In Your Throat' - ?
I do like that, but don't remember mentioning it. Even a sad song like "I've Gotta Dance to Keep from Crying" makes me feel good.Quote:
Originally Posted by westgrandboulevard
To be honest, I only have to hear the intro to any record which has that distinctive Hitsville sound, and my spirits are lifted onto an altogether different level.:)
Upbeat tracks by the Velvelettes with « Lonely lonely girl am I » [[stereo) at the top of the list.
Stevie’s UP TIGHT lp with « Love A GoGo » or « Ain’t that Asking for Trouble » and some of his joyous harmonica playing on his STEVIE AT THE BEACH lp.
And Marvin’s « I’ll be Doggone » or « How Sweet it is to be loved by you », Marvin and Tammi’s first two albums, many tracks by Martha, Gladys, the Miracles and the Tempts...
List is endless...
1. It's A Good Good Feeling - The Miracles
2. Heatwave - Martha & The Vandellas
3. Mickey's Monkey - The Miracles
4. I've Got A Feeling - Four Tops
5. It's Easy To Fall In Love - Martha & The Vandellas
6. Back In My Arms Again - The Supremes
7. Dancin's Alright - The Miracles/My Love Is Your Love Forever - The Miracles
8. I Guess I'll Always Love You/My Love Is Your Love Forever - The Isley Brothers
9. Contract On Love - Stevie
10. Little Darlin' [[I Need You) - Marvin Gaye
11. In My Lonely Room - Martha & The Vandellas
12. I'll Turn To Stone - Four Tops
13. Going To A Go-Go - The Miracles
14. Show Me You Can Dance - The Miracles
15. Too Strong To Be Strung Along - The Marvelettes
16. Everything Is Good About You - The Supremes
17. There's No Stopping Us Now - The Supremes
18. I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walkin' - The Supremes
19. My Baby - The Temptations
20. Girl Why You Wanna Make Me Blue - The Temptations
21. S.O.S. [[Stop Her On Site) - Edwin Starr
22. Leavin' Here - Eddie Holland
23. Sweet Thing - The Spnners
24. I'm Still Loving You - Frances Nero
25. Heaven Must Have Sent You - Bonnie Pointer/Elgins
You wanna feel good? Then listen to this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRFktvMWLA
Now yer talking Marv!Quote:
Originally Posted by marv2