Motown's Prettiest!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

You show up for your work shift at Motown. Berry Gordy requests that you come to his office immediately to discuss a special project that he has in mind for you. Upon your arrival, Berry explains that he wants to release a special CD compilation containing 25 of Motown's prettiest songs from over the years. You gladly accept the assignment! What chestnuts would you submit to Berry as "Motown's Prettiest"?

[Circa 1824]

What does pretty mean? Can a sad song be pretty? Can a dance song be pretty? I would tell Berry I don’t know what exactly he wants.

[daviddesper]

I imagine he would mean slower songs that soothe the listener. So not that I am about to try to come up with 25, but he would probably have in mind stuff like My Girl, Just My Imagination, Ask the Lonely, I Hear a Symphony, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, My Baby Loves Me, My Cherie Amour, just to name a few.

[Motown Eddie]

1. Mary Wells-"My Guy"
2. The Monitors-"Hello Love"
3. The Marvelettes-"Forever"
4. The Supremes-"A Breath Taking Guy"
5. Marvin Gaye-"God Is Love [Single Version]"
6. Syreeta-"Cause We've Ended As Lovers"
7. Stevie Wonder-"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"
8. Smokey Robinson-"The Agony And The Ecstasy"
9. Martha & The Vandellas-"You've Been On My Mind"
10. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-"More Love"
11. The Temptations-"My Girl"
12. The Elgins-"Put Yourself In My Place"
13. The Marvelettes-"I Know Better"
14. The Supremes-"Baby Love"
15. Four Tops-"My Heart Is Calling You"
16. Stevie Wonder-"Golden Lady"
17. Jimmy Ruffin-"As Long As There Is L-O-V-E"
18. Mary Wells-"Whisper You Love Me Boy"
19. Brenda Holloway-"You've Made Me So Very Happy"
20. The Supremes-"Floy Joy"
21. Martha & The Vandellas-"No More Tearstained Make Up"
22. Gladys Knight & The Pips-"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
23. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-"The Tracks Of My Tears"
24. Marvin Gaye-"After The Dance"
25. Mary Wells-"He's The One I Love"

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I imagine he would mean slower songs that soothe the listener. So not that I am about to try to come up with 25, but he would probably have in mind stuff like My Girl, Just My Imagination, Ask the Lonely, I Hear a Symphony, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, My Baby Loves Me, My Cherie Amour, just to name a few.

You're exactly right, David. Although, occasionally, an uptempo Motown song comes along that's really pretty, i.e., Stevie's "I Just Called To Say I Love You." Any Motown tune that is pretty and touches your heart & soul is fair game. There are no right or wrong answers here.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

What does pretty mean? Can a sad song be pretty? Can a dance song be pretty? I would tell Berry I don’t know what exactly he wants.

Circa, see my reply to Daviddesper. Any Motown song that touches your heart and soul.is fair game, regardless of its tempo. Again, there are no right or wrong answers.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

What does pretty mean? Can a sad song be pretty? Can a dance song be pretty? I would tell Berry I don’t know what exactly he wants.

Happy songs and/or sad songs. Although the prettiest songs are usually slow ballads, the tempo doesn't matter as long as the melody is beautiful to your ears.

[gman]

the Supremes....Precious Little Things.....Jean Terrell is so subtle...and the soft background vocals by Cindy and Mary.....

[Philles/Motown Gary]

1. Mary Wells-"My Guy"
2. The Monitors-"Hello Love"
3. The Marvelettes-"Forever"
4. The Supremes-"A Breath Taking Guy"
5. Marvin Gaye-"God Is Love [Single Version]"
6. Syreeta-"Cause We've Ended As Lovers"
7. Stevie Wonder-"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"
8. Smokey Robinson-"The Agony And The Ecstasy"
9. Martha & The Vandellas-"You've Been On My Mind"
10. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-"More Love"
11. The Temptations-"My Girl"
12. The Elgins-"Put Yourself In My Place"
13. The Marvelettes-"I Know Better"
14. The Supremes-"Baby Love"
15. Four Tops-"My Heart Is Calling You"
16. Stevie Wonder-"Golden Lady"
17. Jimmy Ruffin-"As Long As There Is L-O-V-E"
18. Mary Wells-"Whisper You Love Me Boy"
19. Brenda Holloway-"You've Made Me So Very Happy"
20. The Supremes-"Floy Joy"
21. Martha & The Vandellas-"No More Tearstained Make Up"
22. Gladys Knight & The Pips-"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
23. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-"The Tracks Of My Tears"
24. Marvin Gaye-"After The Dance"
25. Mary Wells-"He's Sure The One I Love"

Great list, Eddie! BTW, I'm curious about the title of your #25 entry above. We're you subconsciously confusing The Crystals' "He's Sure The Boy I Love" with Mary Wells' "He's The One I Love"? HaHa! Had to ask! HeHe!!!

[reese]

My favorite "pretty" Motown recordings:

Love Is Here and Now You're Gone - The Supremes
Someday We'll Be Together - The Supremes
Since I Lost My Baby - The Temptations
My Baby - The Temptations
Who's Gonna Take the Blame - The Miracles
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
What You Gave Me - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
That's How Heartaches Are Made - The Marvelettes
I Don't Want to Do Wrong - Gladys Knight and the Pips
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross

[lucky2012]

Part One: How Sweet It Is
1. My Guy - Mary Wells
2. My Girl - Temptations
3. How Sweet It Is [To Be Loved By You] - Marvin Gaye
4. I Hear a Symphony - Supremes
5. Everything Is Good About You - Supremes
6. I'll Try Something New - Smokey & Miracles
7. More Love - Smokey & Miracles
8. You Must Be Love - Smokey & Miracles
9. Take Me In Your Arms and Love Me - Gladys & Pips
10. You're All I Need [To Get By] - Marvin & Tammi
11. If This World Were Mine - Marvin & Tammi
12. My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
13. Still Water [Love] - Four Tops
14. I'll Be There - Jackson 5
Part Two: What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
15. Ask the Lonely - Four Tops
16. Oo Baby, Baby - Smokey & Miracles
17. Tracks of My Tears - Smokey & Miracles
18. Since I Lost My Baby - Temptations
19. Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things - Martha & Vandellas
20. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted - Jimmy Ruffin
21. The Love I Saw In You Was Just a Mirage - Smokey & Miracles
22. That's How Heartaches Are Made - Marvelettes
23. What Does It Take [To Win Your Love] - Jr. Walker & All Stars
234 Just My Imagination - Temptations
25. Neither One of Us - Gladys & Pips
26. Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross & Supremes

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Reese and Lucky, I've created a list that I can publish whenever the time feels right. Your lists are so good, you actually reminded me of a few that I had temporarily forgotten. Good job, guys!

[Motown Eddie]

Great list, Eddie! BTW, I'm curious about the title of your #25 entry above. We're you subconsciously confusing The Crystals' "He's Sure The Boy I Love" with Mary Wells' "He's The One I Love"? HaHa! Had to ask! HeHe!!!

Yep; I Made a big mistake with that one. The correct title is "He's The One I Love" [from Mary Wells' My Guy LP]. Thanks for the correction [and thanks for your posts-I love these Motown 'Brain Teasers'].

[BayouMotownMan]

When you say "pretty" I have to assume you mean they tug at my heartstrings with the melody. So, I would go with:

1. Until You Come Back To Me-Stevie
2. Still-Commodores
3. You Move Me-Supremes
4. Benjamin-Martha
5. Just A Little Love-4 Tops
6. Two Sides To Love-Tempts
7. I Thought It Took A Little Time-Diana
8. Fork In The Road-Miracles
9. With You I'm Born Again-Billy & Syreeta
10. Overjoyed-Stevie
11. Go Ahead and Laugh-Martha [[Stereo mix with strings)
12. You've Changed Me-Brenda
13. It's My Turn-Diana
14. Ribbon In The Sky-Stevie
15. Love Is Here-Supremes
16. Baby I'm For Real-Originals
17. Come Get To This-Marvin
18. Endless Love-Lionel & Diana [[I'm sick of it but...)
19. Baby Come Close-Smokey
20. The Love I Saw In You-Miracles
21. Then-4 Tops
22. Operator-Brenda
23. Heavenly-Temptations
24. 5:30 Plane-Supremes
25. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted-Jimmy

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Yep; I Made a big mistake with that one. The correct title is "He's The One I Love" [from Mary Wells' My Guy LP]. Thanks for the correction [and thanks for your posts-I love these Motown 'Brain Teasers'].

You're welcome, Eddie! And, yes -- the Motown Brain Teasers are fun! I love doing them! I have another game or two up my sleeve, so be ye prepared! HaHa!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I love your list, Bayou! You included a couple of super-important titles that I should have included in one of my two upcoming lists but failed to.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I've prepared a couple of lists, as Motown's production of heart-felt love songs are far too many to squeeze onto just one single list.

MOTOWN'S PRETTIEST [[Part 1)

1) THE NEW SUPREMES - I Guess I'll Miss The Man
2) JIMMY RUFFIN - What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
3) M. GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL - You're All I Need To Get By
4) MICHAEL JACKSON - Ben
5) DIANA ROSS - All The Befores
6) MARVIN GAYE - I'll Take Care Of You
7) GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS - If I Were Your Woman
8) FOUR TOPS - McArthur Park [[Album Version)
9) MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - Happiness Is Guaranteed
10) THE MARVELETTES - When You're Young And In Love
11) M. GAYE & K. WESTON - Heaven Sent You [[I Know)
12) DIANA ROSS - Ain't No Mountain High Enough [[Album Version)
13) THE ORIGINALS - The Bells
14) THE TEMPTATIONS - Just Another Lonely Night
15) THE MARVELETTES - Now Is The Time For Love
16) DIANA ROSS & MARVIN GAYE - You Are Everything
17) STEVIE WONDER - Overjoyed
18) JR. WALKER - What Does It Take [[To Win Your Love)
19) MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL - Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
20) THE SPINNERS - Truly Yours
21) DIANA ROSS - When You Tell Me That You Love Me
22) SHORTY LONG - I Cross My Heart
23) THE MARVELETTES - That's How Heartaches Are Made
24) FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS - Love Isn't Here [[Like It Used To Be)
25) THE TEMPTATIONS - Just My Imagination

[Philles/Motown Gary]

MOTOWN'S PRETTIEST [[Part 2)

1) DIANA ROSS - Theme From Mahogany
2) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - In And Out Of My Life
3) THE ORIGINALS - Once I Have You [[I'll Never Let Go)
4) STEVIE WONDER - With A Child's Heart
5) THE NEW SUPREMES - You Are The Heart Of Me
6) JIMMY RUFFIN - Maria [[You Were The Only One)
7) MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - Love [[Makes Me Do Foolish Things)
8) MARY WELLS - Honey Boy [[MONO Version w/Handclaps)
9) MARVIN GAYE - You're The One For Me
10) DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES - Forever Came Today
11) FOUR TOPS - Call On Me
12) THE TEMPTATIONS - Cindy
13) THE MARVELETTES - Seeing Is Believing
14) THE ORIGINALS - Touch
15) WILLIE HUTCH - I'll Be There
16) THELMA HOUSTON - There's No Such Thing As Love
17) DIANA ROSS - Never Say I Don't Love You
17) THE TEMPTATIONS - A Song For You
18) FOUR TOPS - Walk Away Renee
19) DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES - I Can't Make It Alone
20) GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS - All I Need Is Time
21) DYNAMIC SUPERIORS - Shoe Shoe Shine
22) CHRIS CLARK - How About You
23) BARBARA MCNAIR - Everything Is Good About You
24) MARVIN GAYE - You've Been A Long Time Coming
25) DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES - I Hear A Symphony

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Keep 'em coming, Motown fans! There are still at least a decade's worth of romantic, touching Motown tracks which haven't even been mentioned yet. [For inspiration, pretend that Berry Gordy's request for a list of 25 of "Motown's Prettiest" includes the promise of a dollar for each and every title that you come up with!]

[lucky2012]

Keep 'em coming, Motown fans! There are still at least a decade's worth of romantic, touching Motown tracks which haven't even been mentioned yet. [For inspiration, pretend that Berry Gordy's request for a list of 25 of "Motown's Prettiest" includes the promise of a dollar for each and every title that you come up with!]

How mercenary! I actually approached your idea in this spirit. I imagined bringing my list back to Mr. Gordy with the proposal of either a single CD and/or a two-disc vinyl album [heart-shaped red vinyl, to be released around Valentine's Day].

Like you, I was reminded by everyone's lists that there are decades worth of pretty, beautiful, awesome romantic Motown songs. Best of all, I need to check out the many I haven't listened to or heard of.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

How mercenary! I actually approached your idea in this spirit. I imagined bringing my list back to Mr. Gordy with the proposal of either a single CD and/or a two-disc vinyl album [heart-shaped red vinyl, to be released around Valentine's Day].

Like you, I was reminded by everyone's lists that there are decades worth of pretty, beautiful, awesome romantic Motown songs. Best of all, I need to check out the many I haven't listened to or heard of.

By all means, check 'em all out, Lucky. There's a wealth of Motown to be discovered. When you find a new [[new to you) Motown song that you love, it's like finding a new friend who will become a part of you forever.

[Motown Eddie]

More Pretty Things from Motown-

1. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-"Would I Love You"
2. Mary Wells-"What Love Has Joined Together"
3. The Temptations-"It's Summer [1st Version]"
4. Marvin Gaye-"You've Been A Long Time Coming"
5. The Supremes-"Mother You, Smother You"
6. Kim Weston-"Just Loving You"
7. Stevie Wonder-"How Will I Know [with Aisha Morris]"
8. The Miracles-"Don't Let It End ['Til You Let It Begin]"
10. The Jackson 5-"All Is Do Is Think Of You"
11. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell-"You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin"
12. The Temptations-"Memories"
13. Smokey Robinson-"Asleep On My Love"
15. Syreeta-"Just A Little Piece Of You"
16. Diana Ross-"Touch Me In The Morning"
17. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-"You Must Be Love"
18. Marvin Gaye-"I'll Take Care Of You"
19. Eddie Kendricks-"This Used To Be The Home Of Johnnie Mae"
20. The Isley Bros.-"One Too Many Heartaches"

[Philles/Motown Gary]

We're all diggin' deeper, Eddie! I love it!

[Graham Jarvis]

Gladys "Nothing But A Fool" 1966 unissued.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Gladys "Nothing But A Fool" 1966 unissued.

Love it, Graham! It still boggles the mind as to how so many worthy Motown recordings were relegated to vault status. This track is a classic example.

[Motown Eddie]

More of Motown Prettiest [Christmas Edition]

1. Marvin Gaye-"Purple Snowflakes", "Christmas In The City"
2. Stevie Wonder-"Someday At Christmas", "The Miracles Of Christmas"
3. The Temptations-"Give Love On Christmas Day"
4. The Supremes-"Little Bright Star", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Me", "It Won't Be Long Before Christmas", "Silent Night"
5. The Miracles-"White Christmas", "Christmas Lullaby"
6. The Jackson 5-"Up On The House Top", "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer"
7. Kim Weston-"Wish You A Merry Christmas"

[stupidactingsmart]

1. All I Do Is Think About You - Tammi Terrell
2. Can You Remember - The Jackson 5
3. I'll Wait For You To Come Home - Stevie Wonder
4. Out In The Country - Bobby Taylor
5. You Are Everything - Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye
6. With A Child's Heart - Michael Jackson
7. Easy - Commodores
8. I'm Still Waiting - Diana Ross
9. I Wanna Be Where You Are - Willie Hutch
10. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted – Jimmy Ruffin
11. This Old Heart of Mine [[Is Weak for You) – The Isley Brothers

...and if I keep going up to 25 you're going to see too many repeat artists so I'll leave it there.

[144man]

I would have to include:
Pretty Little Baby - Marvin Gaye
Maria [[You We’re the Only One) Jimmy Ruffin
Where Did You Go - 4 Tops
Where Is That Girl - Spinners
After You - Diana Ross
I’m So Glad It’s Twilight Time - Velvelettes
And I Thought You Loved Me - Supremes
Just One Teardrop From A Broken Heart - Barbara McNair
If You Should Walk Away - Chris Clark
Destination Anywhere - Marvelettes
Didn’t You Know - Gladys Knight & Pips
Tracks of My Tears - Miracles
A Tear from A Woman’s Eyes - Temptations
He Doesn’t Love Her Anymore - Martha & Vandellas
Don’t Compare Me With Her - Kim Weston
Who Could Ever Doubt My Love - Supremes
You’re All I Need to Get By - Marvin & Tammi
Just Ain’t Enough Love - Eddie Holland
Two Lovers - Mary Wells

[Graham Jarvis]

Heres a "Pretty One" how many more "Pretty" ones?

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Heres a "Pretty One" how many more "Pretty" ones?

One of Stevie's prettiest tunes from one of Motown's very best classic albums from the '60s.

[stupidactingsmart]

Love it, Graham! It still boggles the mind as to how so many worthy Motown recordings were relegated to vault status. This track is a classic example.

Totally agree - that song's a belter. And as I've said before, my mind is still utterly boggled by Tammi Terrell's "All I Do Is Think About You" not seeing a release until the 2000s. That song stopped me dead when I first heard it. It's gorgeous. A close second is "Buttercup" by the J5. Incredible that it languished in a vault for thirty years.

[Graham Jarvis]

Another one, Marvins Angel.

[144man]

I would have to include:
Pretty Little Baby - Marvin Gaye
Maria [[You We’re the Only One) Jimmy Ruffin
Where Did You Go - 4 Tops
Where Is That Girl - Spinners
After You - Diana Ross
I’m So Glad It’s Twilight Time - Velvelettes
And I Thought You Loved Me - Supremes
Just One Teardrop From A Broken Heart - Barbara McNair
If You Should Walk Away - Chris Clark
Destination Anywhere - Marvelettes
Didn’t You Know - Gladys Knight & Pips
Tracks of My Tears - Miracles
A Tear from A Woman’s Eyes - Temptations
He Doesn’t Love Her Anymore - Martha & Vandellas
Don’t Compare Me With Her - Kim Weston
Who Could Ever Doubt My Love - Supremes
You’re All I Need to Get By - Marvin & Tammi
Just Ain’t Enough Love - Eddie Holland
Two Lovers - Mary Wells

To bring number of tracks to the required 25, add:
Together 'til the End of Time - Brenda Holloway
Just Another Morning - Michael Denton
We've Got A Wayout Way of Love - The Originals
I Wish I Liked You [As Much As I Love You] - Marv Johnson
I Can't Go On Without You - Tammi Terrell
Yester-Me Yester-You Yesterday - Stevie Wonder

Also replace "Tracks of My Tears" with "The Love I saw In You Was Just A Mirage".

[144man]

My bonus track:

Someday At Christmas - Stevie Wonder

A happy yuletide greeting to all.

[tjl]

Would I Love You - The Mighty Miracles

the prettiest of them all to me [[and my bride - our wedding song)

[Circa 1824]

Karen Carpenter had such a pretty voice, and she made most songs sound pretty. Her Christmas album is gorgeous. Some voices are pretty and some are not pretty.

[jobeterob]

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Rob, without a doubt, this belongs in Motown's TOP. 5 Prettiest -- EVER!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Karen Carpenter had such a pretty voice, and she made most songs sound pretty. Her Christmas album is gorgeous. Some voices are pretty and some are not pretty.

Circa, Karen had the voice of an angel. Had she not left us, we would have been blessed with an additional 20 or so albums from her and Richard -- possibly more.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

To bring number of tracks to the required 25, add:
Together 'til the End of Time - Brenda Holloway
Just Another Morning - Michael Denton
We've Got A Wayout Way of Love - The Originals
I Wish I Liked You [As Much As I Love You] - Marv Johnson
I Can't Go On Without You - Tammi Terrell
Yester-Me Yester-You Yesterday - Stevie Wonder

Also replace "Tracks of My Tears" with "The Love I saw In You Was Just A Mirage".

144man, Brenda Holloway's "Together 'Til The End Of Time" is one of my all-time favorite Motown recordings, as is her "You Can Cry On My Shoulder". As a teen, I found both 45's on a close-out, bargain-bin table. I was thrilled to learn of their existence, but shocked that they had been reduced to garbage-bin status with a bullet-hole through them. They deserved a far-better fate.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

My bonus track:

Someday At Christmas - Stevie Wonder

A happy yuletide greeting to all.

And a belated same to you, 144man! Stevie's "Someday At Christmas" is among myTop 5 of Motown's best Christmas offerings.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Would I Love You - The Mighty Miracles

the prettiest of them all to me [[and my bride - our wedding song)

Early Smokey & The Miracles sounding really pretty in this early Stereo version, tjl.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I would have to include:
Pretty Little Baby - Marvin Gaye
Maria [[You We’re the Only One) Jimmy Ruffin
Where Did You Go - 4 Tops
Where Is That Girl - Spinners
After You - Diana Ross
I’m So Glad It’s Twilight Time - Velvelettes
And I Thought You Loved Me - Supremes
Just One Teardrop From A Broken Heart - Barbara McNair
If You Should Walk Away - Chris Clark
Destination Anywhere - Marvelettes
Didn’t You Know - Gladys Knight & Pips
Tracks of My Tears - Miracles
A Tear from A Woman’s Eyes - Temptations
He Doesn’t Love Her Anymore - Martha & Vandellas
Don’t Compare Me With Her - Kim Weston
Who Could Ever Doubt My Love - Supremes
You’re All I Need to Get By - Marvin & Tammi
Just Ain’t Enough Love - Eddie Holland
Two Lovers - Mary Wells

Really great list, SASmart!