Your ONE Favorite Previously-Unreleased Motown Track

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Over the years, Motown has been extremely generous in sharing with us its incredible wealth of previously-unreleased recordings from the vaults.

Let's pick our brains and narrow it down to your one -- yes, ONE -- most favorite vaulted track. [[This would be THE one that made you ask the question, "How on earth could THIS have been relegated to the vaults?")

This time around, let's include a YouTube audio link to share with everyone and anyone who may not be familiar with the track.

I'll get the ball rolling with my favorite Motown previously-unreleased track:


MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS
"It's Easy To Fall In Love [[With A Guy Like You)"

MONO [[2:15)
https://youtu.be/KJiFt7GQZhU?si=gEvYdxNJR5gh_qxe

STEREO [[2:26)
https://youtu.be/-YP0wip4hhA?si=MJ_TNBqs79dzO1Qm

Take your pick!

[Motown Eddie]

It's a tough call but my pick is "Knock On My Door" by The Marvelettes.

[tjl]

easy for me - It's easy to fall In Love - Martha Reeves and The Vandellas

[DWSheffer]

As much as I LOVE Tammi Terrell's "All I Do", whenever I listen to Marvin Gaye's "This Love Starved Heart Of Mine" I absolutely cannot understand why this track didn't make it past Quality Control, it's an absolute hit in my opinion!
Darin

[woodward]

This has been a long time favorite since I discovered it was included in the famous Never-Before Released Masters from Motown's Brightest Stars - The 1960's. Recorded 10/6/67.

It was also included in the Tower Worldwide Celebration - Rare Gems from the Motown Vaults Motown 40 SACDMOTWR. It was also included in the CD edition of Reflections released in 1992 but not on any vinyl of Reflections.

Stay In My Lonely Arms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0llPvwDDK6E

[Optimal Saint]

As much as I LOVE Tammi Terrell's "All I Do", whenever I listen to Marvin Gaye's "This Love Starved Heart Of Mine" I absolutely cannot understand why this track didn't make it past Quality Control, it's an absolute hit in my opinion!
Darin

great choice

[Optimal Saint]

can't pick just one

[MIKEW-UK]

Ivy Jo Hunter. This version of his recordings of 'Only A Lonely Man Wokld Know'.

https://youtu.be/BpAPRHvleLs?si=Jkl24JIKkN0p-fYM

[snakepit]

Too many to single one out, but I do love this:

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

BTW the title provided by Motown is incorrect.....It should say "Through my tears"

The Temptations ...."I now see you clear through my eyes [[TEARS)"

[Stax_of_Motown]

Also Temptations released version, one of my favourite tracks of theirs.

[lockhartgary]

Would have been great as a B-side and/or album cut.

[Roger Polhill]

Gladys Knight & The Spinners on "All These Things"

[TomatoTom123]

Great question Gary … this one immediately came to my mind… Gladys & The Pips' "If You Ever Get Yout Hands On Love"…

[pj1]

Gladys Knight & The Spinners on "All These Things"

[daviddesper]

Agree with above............If You Ever Get Your Hands on Love. I'm sure I could think of others but that one definitely stands out for the purposes of this discussion.

[robb_k]

The Monitors' "Crying In The Night":

[pj1]

Sounds like they had a ball recording this one:

[justanothermotownfan]

My pick is “Anonymous” aka “Nothing But Trouble” by Barbara McNair.

https://youtu.be/4MsQVRa_4Gw?si=ng5n1WHAi7r01oFa

I’d also like to nominate The Commodores’ version of “Forever Came Today.” Unfortunately it’s not on YouTube. I recently rediscovered this gem and I’m always disappointed when it fades out.

Can’t help but think there’s a full extended jam lurking in the vaults.

[BayouMotownMan]

It keeps changing, but right now it's When I'm With You by the Supremes and 4 Tops.

Another major shout to Just A Little Love by the Tops as well

[Philles/Motown Gary]

OPTIMAL SAINT - David Ruffin's "Each Day Is A Lifetime" wasn't a previously-unreleased track. It was released as Motown 1178 [[45) in 1971 b/w "Don't Stop Loving Me". For some unknown reason, it was never included on any of David's albums at the time.

"Each Day Is A Lifetime"
https://youtu.be/l4hdW_r-Pjc?si=fh2xX6wXW0xODDun

Strangely enough, David's follow-up single -- "You Can Come Right Back To Me" b/w "Dinah"-- Motown 1187 [[45), also in 1971, suffered the same fate, as it, too, never got included on any of David's albums. It's a shame, as both singles are top-notch Motown. [See photos below]

"You Can Come Right Back To Me"
https://youtu.be/1j0gLa6y3Pk?si=dQKdpcT8a9To57bw

[NOTE: Where I grew up in Western New York State, both of David's above singles got radio airplay, and both were well-stocked at our local record store. I bought each one of them as they were released.]

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Great question Gary … this one immediately came to my mind… Gladys & The Pips' "If You Ever Get Yout Hands On Love"…

Glad you're enjoying it, Tom! Motown games are fun!

[mysterysinger]

Lay in the Motown vaults until recently - Frankie Valli's take at Motown on
"My Eyes Adored You". That's my choice.

Yup Motown didn't release it yet it still became a huge hit song.

Are there any other examples like this spring to mind?

Don't think the Four Seasons recorded "December 63" or "Who Loves You" at Motown at all so they wouldn't count. However I think there were tales of The Isley Brothers having recorded "It's Your Thing" whilst at Motown.

[rovereab]

I'm struggling to name just one as there are so many superb songs that were not released at the time.

I'm going with Marvin and Tammi's We'll Be Satisfied. It's so special given the short time frame of their time recording together. The chance of a previously un-released song coming to light was so slim yet here we have a really good song. It also sounds like they were having fun in the studio with Tammi's laugh at the end.

[tamlaboy]

The Monitors' "Crying In The Night":

Another Great, great Dean-Weatherspoon outcome...they did some marvellous things :-)

[daviddesper]

I am trying to think of a Brenda Holloway song that came along late and once it did it appeared on several compilations. It was very fast-paced, similar to the Gladys song above and I think the gist of it was "Love is so good when you find it."

Any idea what song I am referring to? I could look it up but it is more fun to put you guys to work and even more fun when one of you posts it, which I am not that good at!

[tamlaboy]

I am trying to think of a Brenda Holloway song that came along late and once it did it appeared on several compilations. It was very fast-paced, similar to the Gladys song above and I think the gist of it was "Love is so good when you find it."

Any idea what song I am referring to? I could look it up but it is more fun to put you guys to work and even more fun when one of you posts it, which I am not that good at!

Maybe its "I`ve got to find it" from "Greatest Hits and Rare Classics" ??
Written by Frank Wilson....
The only thing is, it isnt fast-paced

[daviddesper]

No, that is not it. I have some time now so I will look it up and then maybe one of you can link it for us. As Shirley Bassey once said "talk amongst yourselves for a minute......."

[daviddesper]

Back already........it is Without Love, You Lose a Good Feeling. I think I found it on her Spellbound collection but it has been released on others as well. So someone please link it so I can accept congratulations for my good taste!!!

[grapevine]

I hope you will allow me more than one ...these blew me away when I first heard them...

Isley Brothers - You've Got So Much To Shout About [[recorded 1966 - released 1972)



Gladys Knight & The Pips - A Man Is A Woman's Weakness [[recorded 1969 - released 2000)



Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - My Business Your Pleasure [[recorded 1966 - released 1994)



Grape

[DWSheffer]

Back already........it is Without Love, You Lose a Good Feeling. I think I found it on her Spellbound collection but it has been released on others as well. So someone please link it so I can accept congratulations for my good taste!!!

You you go!
Darin

[grapevine]

...and 2 more...

Diana Ross & Supremes - Stormy [[recorded 1969 - released 1987)



The Temptations - That'll Be The Day [[recorded 1965 - released 1999)



Grape

[reese]

I couldn't pick just one.

[wedgeville]

Marvin Gaye - This Love Starved Heart, Gladys Knight & Pips - If You Ever Get Your Hands On Love, Brenda Holloway - Think It Over [[Before You Break My Heart), Temptations - Forever In My Heart, Originals - Suspicion, Barbara McNair - Baby A Go-Go, Isley Brothers - My Love Is Your Love [[Forever), Tammi Terrell - Lone Lonely Town, Kim Weston - I'm Gonna Make It Up To You AND The Velvelettes - He's The One, would be in my top ten, all of which deserve the #1 spot...

https://youtu.be/xfQXLCWdhJY?si=sJL0HjQZg7pek2R_

[JM27]

It's this one for me by Stevie Wonder. Crazy that something so good can go unreleased for so long...

[stupidactingsmart]

It's already been mentioned but for me, little comes close to the gorgeousness of "All I Do" by Tammi Terrell from A Cellarful of Motown. That's a monster smash that never was. Which bonehead decided it should be consigned to the vaults for 35 years?


My other choices would be "Buttercup" by the Jackson 5 and produced by Stevie Wonder, from the J5 Unreleased Masters album, and "I'll Wait For You To Come Home" by Stevie himself from Unreleased 1968.




Since I'm a massive J5 fan, honourable mentions also go to "What's So Good About Goodbye" from Unreleased 1969 and "Just a Little Misunderstanding" from Soulsation.

*I really enjoyed the Marvin Gaye and Supremes tracks posted above.

[Optimal Saint]

OPTIMAL SAINT - David Ruffin's "Each Day Is A Lifetime" wasn't a previously-unreleased track. It was released as Motown 1178 [[45) in 1971 b/w "Don't Stop Loving Me". For some unknown reason, it was never included on any of David's albums at the time.

"Each Day Is A Lifetime"
https://youtu.be/l4hdW_r-Pjc?si=fh2xX6wXW0xODDun

Strangely enough, David's follow-up single -- "You Can Come Right Back To Me" b/w "Dinah"-- Motown 1187 [[45), also in 1971, suffered the same fate, as it, too, never got included on any of David's albums. It's a shame, as both singles are top-notch Motown. [See photos below]

"You Can Come Right Back To Me"
https://youtu.be/1j0gLa6y3Pk?si=dQKdpcT8a9To57bw

[NOTE: Where I grew up in Western New York State, both of David's above singles got radio airplay, and both were well-stocked at our local record store. I bought each one of them as they were released.]

Thanks,

I think I knew that too. i don't know how it wasn't a big hit, love that song

[Thornton]

Am I Asking Too Much by The Supremes. I especially like it since Mary and Cindy are doing the backup vocals. Should have been on the Love Child album.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Wow! This thread has really taken off! Thanks guys & gals! Now let's feel free to list as many previously-unreleased Motown favorites as you like! Once again, I'll get the ball rolling:

[mowsville]

Spellbound… Martha and the Vandellas…I always thought this was a Holland-Dozier-Holland track… I was real surprised to find out it was Smokey.

[soulwally]

Not the first time we’ve done this. Mine remain the same, Tammi’s All I Do, and the Originals Suspicion [[the vocal version that was on the brilliant This Is Northern Soul CD [[1997?), not every other issue I’ve heard. Coming in since the last time we did this is the Tempts’ All I Need Is You To Love Me [[actually a Paul Williams solo)

[grapevine]

..forgot this one ...fantastic song ...Stevie Wonder - Just Enough To Ease The Pain - recorded 1969 - released 1997...



Grape

[grapevine]

...another forgotten Motown gem ...Baby Hit And Run - The Contours ...recorded 1965 ...released 1974...



Grape

[Thornton]

Spellbound… Martha and the Vandellas…I always thought this was a Holland-Dozier-Holland track… I was real surprised to find out it was Smokey.

I love their version of Spellbound! I have a "My Baby Loves Me" album mix that includes the song. Does sound like an HDH tune.

[MotownLover]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=W0RZN_Nq...M6jFCawa7OSkJ5

This has got to be my choice. This song blew me away when I first heard it.

You Can Do It by Kim Weston.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Thanks for your enthusiastic responses, guys! Now that we're all in the middle of a serious Motown mood here, let's feel free to list as many of your favorite previously-unreleased Motown recordings as your heart desires! Go for it!

[Motown Eddie]

Thanks for your enthusiastic responses, guys! Now that we're all in the middle of a serious Motown mood here, let's feel free to list as many of your favorite previously-unreleased Motown recordings as your heart desires! Go for it!

And away we go!

1. "It's A Desperate Situation"-Marvin Gaye
2. "Can't Break The Habit"-Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
3. "The Day Will Come Between Sunday And Monday"-The Supremes
4. "That'll Be The Day"-The Temptations
5. "Let's Talk It Over"-Marv Johnson
6. "Baby Hit And Run"-The Contours
7. "Just One Last Kiss"-The Marvelettes
8. "Dont Let True Love Die"-Diana Ross & The Supremes
9. "I Think We Can Make It"-Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
10. "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"-Gladys Knight & The Pips
11. "Last One Out Is Brokenhearted"-The Temptations
12. "What You Gonna Do With Me Baby"-Four Tops
13. "A Fool For You"-The Jackson 5
14. "Court Of The Common Plea"-Marvin Gaye
15. "Finder Keepers Losers Weepers"-The Marvelettes
16. "Sweet Thing"-Diana Ross & The Supremes
17. "I've Got Nothing Left To Cling To"-Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
18. "Rocks In My Bed"-Four Tops
19. "What Am I Gonna Do Without You"-The Temptations
20. "Mr. Misery [Let Me Be]"-Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
21. "Cinderella [It's Twelve O'Clock]"-Mary Wells
22. "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]"-Frank Wilson
23. "Trapped In A Love Affair"-Brenda Holloway
24. "I'm Gonna Make It Up Tou"-Kim Weston
25. "Hooked Real Good On A Bad Thing"-Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
26. "Poor Little Rich Girl"-The Marvelettes
27. "This Love Starved Heart [Is Killing Me]"-Marvin Gaye
28. "A Little Breeze"-Diana Ross & The Supremes
29. "Drop In The Bucket"-Mary Wells
30. "Baby A Go-Go"-Barbara McNair

[Boogiedown]

If I were to make a list of the Top 10 songs with the most meaningful lyrics , this one is high on it. It's a great life philosophy ....how to deal with life ..... instead of pissing and moaning and pour victim me....

It's something that Berry Gordy drilled into his acts when presenting themselves ..."smile" ...The Supremes especially and a lesson that Diana Ross has embraced her entire career. To this day, she spends her entire time on stage smiling from ear to ear.

That video does a good job of representing that about her. [Mary was great at it too...Flo ....Cindy ...and the rest ...]



you'll find that life is still worthwhile .... if you just smile....

[Philles/Motown Gary]

1) DRATS - "Are You Sure Love Is The Name Of This Game"
https://youtu.be/gJXXi9f3WP0?si=5X6Mw8P6h4ol4DMb

2) DRATS - "Sweet Thing"
https://youtu.be/6NkASF__ilo?si=LU7i9raaBNgTDGSC

3) DRATS - "Heaven Must Have Sent You"
https://youtu.be/DQPzHylLItE?si=AjdkNR8NSLq6AEZa
P
4) BRENDA HOLOWAY - "Just Another Lonely Night"
https://youtu.be/uGpHFq1Dt8s?si=Pb_4ObveznRtSxqa

5) BRENDA HOLLOWAY - "Before You Break My Heart [[Reconsider)"
https://youtu.be/5nrWLBVHf8c?si=RPK5kgnPLBQjVg1m

Also Known As "Reconsider"
https://youtu.be/p1Om4wFqUyk?si=qWY4iRKBoFjwKtFd

6) THE TEMPTATIONS - "I'm Doing It All"
https://youtu.be/d0ciL0A1HFs?si=lWXDpMcrnuHob5HC

7) SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MURACLES - "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" [Not to be confused with the "Special Occasion" album version)
https://youtu.be/SH0Tzx5brVE?si=CjIpEJden_iLSpib

8) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Keep Stepping [[Never Look Back)"
https://youtu.be/lr7HWQ2_CfM?si=EUN_oZm_zlo77BXf

9) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "You've Been On My Mind"
https://youtu.be/qjLUthHphVI?si=hP2nLXaucku846uC

10) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Save Some Room In Your Heart"
https://youtu.be/4d18e1RLlIY?si=4cm_kybw6m2Vu36v

11) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Love Where Are You Hiding"
https://youtu.be/offS6xRBZ_U?si=KtIbn1CLIYM3Xp1u

12) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Looking In The Mirror"
https://youtu.be/z-p1nZiRCRA?si=xuk0OGYIhNmUeSZi

13) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "A Little Bit Of Heaven [[On A Little Patch Of Earth)"
https://youtu.be/nPX41Ck9h70?si=WMEoLitv1u3SYyur

14) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "I'm Glad You Beclong To Me"
https://youtu.be/3tAE8wpbGQc?si=t9pnSkgaKp6dy7C4

15) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Oh I've Been Blessed"
https://youtu.be/i5VpFMpx6pA?si=qbPQKaCyhk3pRH5K

16) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "I Can't Erase The Way I Feel"
https://youtu.be/VawXtAAnIoc?si=P0HGpu0QWRcPJ0ES

17) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "I've Got To See You"
https://youtu.be/zPsxgLISHSw?si=2MilH25MTNbOfqGV

18) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "I'll Take A Raincheck [[If Love Invites Me)"
https://youtu.be/Lczl8Gvl4FY?si=HItSape_r0-ETGsl

19) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Is There A Place [[In His Heart For Me)"
"https://youtu.be/QbBEnckYghc?si=Q9X-XxsHSF2FirdI

20) "MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Standing Ovation"
https://youtu.be/ikq2HQEx7SU?si=GyqGRFf9OnvQm0ou

21) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Build Your Love On A Strong Foundation"
https://youtu.be/He6fE_5HSus?si=3AVZs8_sQs1CFQEY

22) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Where Was I [[When Love Came By)"
https://youtu.be/BRTgV-qVFi4?si=OGUBub7ECc4G8QU0

23) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "There's Love In This World"
https://youtu.be/3ZzscU0eRns?si=xPE2fiVLTd6Pc9mm

24) MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever"
https://youtu.be/3PYGSOwrQS4?si=GD-S7ybRlqB5QWyu

[theboyfromxtown]

This is my choice

[Thornton]

Some other favorites from the golden era in no particular order:

1. Change of Heart - The Marvelettes
2. Mr. Misery - The Miracles
3. Miss Lonely Hearts - Martha and the Vandellas
4. I've Got A Story - Mary Wells
5. After All - The Supremes