Some Billboard R&B Chart Stats for Motown

[lockhartgary]

I compiled the following information from THE BILLBOARD BOOK OF NUMBER 1 RHYTHM AND BLUES HITS
NOTE: MY USE OF "MOTOWN" IS ALL INCLUSIVE, I.E. ALL SUBSIDIARY LABELS AND THE MOTOWN LABEL ITSELF ARE REFERRED TO COLLECTIVELY AS "MOTOWN"

MOTOWN RHYTHM AND BLUES CHART STATS 1965-1990
Artists with most #1 Hits[[max of 20 to min of 5):
Stevie Wonder-18
Temptations-14
Marvin Gaye-12
Commodores-7
Jackson Five-6
Supremes-6
Diana Ross-5 [[1 with Lionel Richie)

105 number 1 hits combined for all of Motown’s labels [[Motown, Gordy, Tamla and Soul.) Nearest competitor is Atlantic with 52! Does not include labels distributed by Atlantic records.

“I Can’t Help Myself” is the longest running number 1 hit on the charts with a 9 week run on top. “Ain’t too Proud to Beg” had an 8 week run and “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye had a 7 week run

Number of #1 Hits that topped both the R & B charts AND the HOT 100: 34
In 1965, there were 3 songs that accomplished this feat, and they were all on Motown. In 1966, three of the four were on Motown. In 1967, one of the two were on Motown. In 1969, two of the three were on Motown. In 1970, six of the seven were on Motown. In 1973, 3 of the 5 were on Motown. In 1977, four of the seven were on Motown. In 1980 and 1981, one of the two were on Motown. In 1983, one of the three were on Motown. In 1985, two of the four were on Motown. 1986-1990, Motown had no number one hits on the charts.

[RanRan79]

Thanks for the breakdown Gary. Incredible. Imagine how many more number ones the label would have had if some of those that stalled at #2 would have inched on up. Motown was definitely a special creation.

[marv2]

Imagine how many more number ones they would have had if Billboard had not suspended it's R&B/Soul Chart from 1963-64.

[Boogiedown]

great stuff ! Thanks Gary !

I've also wondered how many Motown songs reached #1 on the Hot 100 that didn't also go to #1 on the Soul chart?

And how many conversely?

[Glenpwood]

Great work Gary but slight correction. Marvin's 13th and final number one, "Sexual Healing" was on Columbia - dropping his Motown/Tamla total to 12.

Here are all the non Hot 100 chart toppers that went to the top of the Soul chart through 1990....


The Miracles - Shop Around
Mary Wells - You Beat Me To The Punch
The Contours - Do You Love Me
Mary Wells - Two Lovers
Martha & The Vandellas - Heat Wave
Jr. Walker & The All Stars - Shotgun
Marvin Gaye - I'll Be Doggone
Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar
Stevie Wonder - Uptight
Temptations - Get Ready
Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Stevie Wonder - Blowin' In The Wind
Temptations - Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
Temptations - I Know I'm Losing You
Martha & The Vandellas - Jimmy Mack
Stevie Wonder - I Was Made To Love Her
Gladys Knight & The Pips - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Second That Emotion
Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain
Stevie Wonder - Shoo Be Doo...
Marvin & Tammi Terrell - Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
Temptations - I Could Never Love Another After Loving You
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need To Get By
Temptations - Run Away Child Running Wild
Marvin Gaye - Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
Jr. Walker & The All Stars - What Does It Take To Win Your Love
The Originals - Baby I'm For Real
Stevie Wonder - Signed Sealed Delivered
The Supremes - Stoned Love
Gladys Knight & The Pips - If I Were Your Woman
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Jackson Five - Never Can Say Goodbye
Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues
Gladys Knight & The Pips - Neither One Of Us
Temptations - Masterpiece
Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
Stevie Wonder - Living For The City
Temptations - Let Your Hair Down
Eddie Kendricks - Boogie Down
Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine
Stevie Wonder - Boogie On Reggae Woman
Temptations - Happy People
Eddie Kendricks - Shoeshine Boy
Temptations - Shakey Ground
Smokey Robinson - Baby That's Backatcha
Commodores - Slippery When Wet
David Ruffin - Walk Away From Love
Marvin Gaye - I Want You
Commodores - Just To Be Close To You
Commodores - Easy
Commodores - Too Hot Ta Trot
Rick James - You And I
Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster [[Jammin')
Smokey Robinson - Being With You
Rick James - Give It To Me Baby
Stevie Wonder - That Girl
Dazz Band - Let It Whip
Rick James - Cold Blooded
DeBarge - Time Will Reveal
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
Commodoes - Nightshift
DeBarge - Rhythm Of The Night
El DeBarge - Who's Johnny
Stevie Wonder - Skeletons
Stevie Wonder - You Will Know
The Mac Band - Roses Are Red
The Boys - Dial My Heart
The Boys - Lucky Charm
Today - Girl I Got My Eye On You
Teddy Riley & Guy - My Fantasy
Stacy Lattiaw & Johnny Gill - Where Do We Go From Here
Johnny Gill - Rub You The Right Way
Johnny Gill - My My My
The Boys - Crazy

[lockhartgary]

Glenpwood, thanks for the correction. I edited my original post.

[lockhartgary]

Between 1965 and 1990, the following songs topped the Hot 100 but not the R&B charts:

1965 - "Stop! In the Name of Love" The Supremes
1965 - "I Hear a Symphony" The Supremes
1967 - "The Happening" The Supremes
1968 - "Love Child" Diana Ross & the Supremes
1970 - "War" Edwin Starr
1972 - "Ben" Michael Jackson
1972 - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" The Temptations
1973 - "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" Stevie Wonder
1973 - "Touch Me in the Morning" Diana Ross
1976 - "Theme from Mahogany [[Do You Know Where You're Going To)" Diana Ross
1976 - "Love Machine [[Part 1)" The Miracles
1982 - "Truly" Lionel Richie

I crossed referenced when compiling this list so please notify of any corrections.

[JohnnyB]

Between 1965 and 1990, the following songs topped the Hot 100 but not the R&B charts:

1965 - "I Hear a Symphony" The Supremes
1967 - "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" The Supremes
1967 - "The Happening" The Supremes
1968 - "Love Child" Diana Ross & the Supremes
1970 - "War" Edwin Starr
1972 - "Ben" Michael Jackson
1972 - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" The Temptations
1973 - "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" Stevie Wonder
1973 - "Touch Me in the Morning" Diana Ross
1976 - "Theme from Mahogany [[Do You Know Where You're Going To)" Diana Ross
1976 - "Love Machine [[Part 1)" The Miracles
1982 - "Truly" Lionel Richie

I crossed referenced when compiling this list so please notify of any corrections.

Stop! In The Name Of Love also missed the #1 spot on the R&B charts.

[luke]

I find it hard to believe Love Child, Papa... and Love Machine didn't make it to # 1 r&b!!!

[lockhartgary]

Stop! In The Name Of Love also missed the #1 spot on the R&B charts.

Thanks for catching that! I made the change in my original post.
I MUST get those new glasses, Lol!

[lockhartgary]

I find it hard to believe Love Child, Papa... and Love Machine didn't make it to # 1 r&b!!!

So was I. I was also surprised "War" didn't make it to number 1 either!

[marv2]

I find it hard to believe Love Child, Papa... and Love Machine didn't make it to # 1 r&b!!!

"Love Machine" was the biggest Miracles hit of all time.

[RanRan79]

Between 1965 and 1990, the following songs topped the Hot 100 but not the R&B charts:

1965 - "Stop! In the Name of Love" The Supremes
1965 - "I Hear a Symphony" The Supremes
1967 - "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" The Supremes
1967 - "The Happening" The Supremes
1968 - "Love Child" Diana Ross & the Supremes
1970 - "War" Edwin Starr
1972 - "Ben" Michael Jackson
1972 - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" The Temptations
1973 - "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" Stevie Wonder
1973 - "Touch Me in the Morning" Diana Ross
1976 - "Theme from Mahogany [[Do You Know Where You're Going To)" Diana Ross
1976 - "Love Machine [[Part 1)" The Miracles
1982 - "Truly" Lionel Richie

I crossed referenced when compiling this list so please notify of any corrections.

One of those is wrong Gary. "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" topped both charts. "Love Is Here" was number one r&b for two weeks [[hot 100 for one week) and was replaced by "I Never Loved a Man" by Queen Aretha.

[lockhartgary]

One of those is wrong Gary. "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" topped both charts. "Love Is Here" was number one r&b for two weeks [[hot 100 for one week) and was replaced by "I Never Loved a Man" by Queen Aretha.

Duly noted and removed from OP. Sorry for the errors guys. I will be a lot more careful in the future.

[TomatoTom123]

1972 - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" The Temptations

"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" didn't reach #1 on the R&B charts!!?? What madness is this? Anyone know what kept it from the top spot?

[RanRan79]

"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" didn't reach #1 on the R&B charts!!?? What madness is this? Anyone know what kept it from the top spot?

I've never cared for the song myself Tom, but just checking out the number one hits r&b from around the time the song might have been peaking, there was stiff competition for the top spot. The Spinners "I'll Be Around", Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes "If You Don't Know Me By Now", Al Green "You Oughta Be Here With Me", Billy Paul "Me and Mrs. Jones", Stevie's "Superstition", all were number one songs around that time. I also prefer all of them to "Papa", but I will admit that it is surprising that the song didn't reach the top spot.

[lockhartgary]

I've never cared for the song myself Tom, but just checking out the number one hits r&b from around the time the song might have been peaking, there was stiff competition for the top spot. The Spinners "I'll Be Around", Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes "If You Don't Know Me By Now", Al Green "You Oughta Be Here With Me", Billy Paul "Me and Mrs. Jones", Stevie's "Superstition", all were number one songs around that time. I also prefer all of them to "Papa", but I will admit that it is surprising that the song didn't reach the top spot.

"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" reached the #1 spot on the Hot 100 charts on 12/02/72. That same week, Al Green's "You Ought to be With Me" reached the summit on the R&B charts. As much as I like Al Green's music during this period, this is not one of my favorite songs of his. Like you said RanRan79, the competition was stiff. Papa should have been #1.

[TomatoTom123]

I've never cared for the song myself Tom, but just checking out the number one hits r&b from around the time the song might have been peaking, there was stiff competition for the top spot. The Spinners "I'll Be Around", Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes "If You Don't Know Me By Now", Al Green "You Oughta Be Here With Me", Billy Paul "Me and Mrs. Jones", Stevie's "Superstition", all were number one songs around that time. I also prefer all of them to "Papa", but I will admit that it is surprising that the song didn't reach the top spot.

Hey RanRan, you don't care for "Papa"!? Noooo....!

Admittedly it took me ages to really get into it... and even now I have to be in the right mood to listen to the entire thing... but when I am the track is smokin' hot

But yea, it is very surprising... considering it went #1 on the Pop Charts [[and IMO it's the least "Pop" of all The Temptations' #1s) but not #1 R&B.

[RanRan79]

Hey RanRan, you don't care for "Papa"!? Noooo....!

Admittedly it took me ages to really get into it... and even now I have to be in the right mood to listen to the entire thing... but when I am the track is smokin' hot

But yea, it is very surprising... considering it went #1 on the Pop Charts [[and IMO it's the least "Pop" of all The Temptations' #1s) but not #1 R&B.

"Papa" just never did it for me. But I will agree that it probably is the least pop sounding record the Tempts released, so it seems a bit wild that it would hit the top spot pop but stop in the top 5 r&b.

[Boogiedown]

"Papa" just never did it for me. But I will agree that it probably is the least pop sounding record the Tempts released, so it seems a bit wild that it would hit the top spot pop but stop in the top 5 r&b.

Bought the 45 and I likely played the instrumental b side more as this is when I first owned a stereo with stereo headsets and the clarity and spaciness of the instrumentation mesmerized me [[harps! strings, wah wah, piano ) . Didn't know why then, but there was always something a little annoying about the vocal. I now know that it was due to the "Eddie Kendricks" lines sounding odd - overly piercing to me .

Considering its length, I'm surprised this record got anywhere near the Top Ten of either chart; can it be true that the radio version was just shy of SEVEN minutes long, the same as the commercial 45?? !!!



That says a lot about its composition that it got played so extensively anyway , but who at Motown thought a seven minute song would be worth the risk of being agreeable to radio programmers ?