One of the world's most important record labels celebrates its 50th anniversary with the 10-disc box Motown: The Complete No. 1's, due Dec. 9., reports Billboard.com. It's probably more Motown than most need but if you can swing it, I highly recommend splurging.
In July, I gratefully received the 10-disc, Time Life Motown Collection (my review ran here). The box sits on a special shelf in my living room and has enjoyed regular play ever since I brought it home. Because there's nothing like some Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Supremes, Miracles or Temptations to lift your spirits after a shitty day — and, boy, there have been too damn many of those lately. Anyway, today's pressing question is: "What are the 10 greatest Motown songs of all time?" Here's my tally.
Top 10 Motown Songs
1. What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye
2. The Tracks of My Tears, The Miracles
3. Superstition, Stevie Wonder
4. Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, The Temptations
5. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
6. Nowhere to Run, Martha & The Vandellas
7. Standing in the Shadows of Love, The Four Tops
8. Reflections, Diana Ross & The Supremes
9. Super Freak (Part 1), Rick James
10. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, Jimmy Ruffin
This article appears in Oct 15-21, 2008.