What is your favorite soul song? Mine is Stevie Wonder's Superstition It makes me want to get up and dance.

[debm55]

Last edited Thu Sep 5, 2024, 09:34 PM - Edit history (1)

edited to include all soul songs-Detroit, Memphis, and Phillie and any others.

[wryter2000]

1. It would have to be something by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell

Not sure I've spelled her name correctly.

[debm55]

3. I liked :Ain't no Mountain High Enough, Thank you wryter2000.

[wryter2000]

16. Definitely like that

[TommieMommy]

2. Reach Out I'll be there by the Four Tops

[debm55]

5. Thank you TommieMommy. I liked it too.

Last edited Thu Sep 5, 2024, 02:33 PM - Edit history (1)

[livetohike]

4. "Ain't That Peculiar?" Marvin Gaye. Reminds me of

Jr High Friday night dances .

[debm55]

6. Thank you livetohike. Loved Marvin.

[wryter2000]

17. Love that!

[livetohike]

34. He was great! Gone way too soon. n/t

[nikatnyte]

7. "Where Did Our Love Go" positively and absolutely

It launched the Supreme's reign of the charts, and the golden years of Motown, upon its release in 1964. One listen and you were hooked.

My favorite Motown song nobody has ever heard of: "Don't Let it Happen to Us" by Paul Petersen. They actually got this white-bread former teen idol to summon up his inner Marvin Gaye.

[debm55]

10. Thank you nikatnyte. Interesting post.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

8. With you on that one.

BTW, watch your feet if I'm dancing.

[debm55]

11. Loved all of Stevie's songs but that was my favorite. Thank you discntnt_irny_scrcm. Will do , but you watch my feet .

too,

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

13. I'd love to watch your feet....;)

...but if I'm doing the mashed potato, you'd best leave the room.

[debm55]

14. Oh you.----------

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

15. No you....

...

[riverbendviewgal]

9. Under the boardwalk

It reminds of my teenage NJ summers.

[debm55]

12. Thank you riverbentviewgal. Great song.

[nikatnyte]

24. Great song, but it's not Motown

N/T

[Jrose]

18. 'Whats Goin' On' by Marvin Gaye (the song and the album!)

Also ...'How Sweet it Is', by M.Gaye
And...
-'Just my imagination' - The Temptations
-'Baby give me one more chance' - Jackson 5
-'Dancing in the Street' Martha Reeves and the
Vandellas

[debm55]

19. Thank you Jrose. Wonderful songs of my youth.

[Cartoonist]

20. Marvin has a few

Too busy thinking about my baby.

[debm55]

21. Cartoonist, thank you. That was a great dancing song.

[Dear_Prudence]

22. Walk on By

by Dionne Warwick comes to mind, so many songs it is hard to pick

[debm55]

23. Thank you Dear_Prudence. I know. The Motown Sound and songs were all great.

[brush]

31. Great song but I don't think Dione Warwick was a Motown artist.

[Dear_Prudence]

64. I wasn't sure about that either. 🤔 nt

[debm55]

73. That's okay. Let it stay. I like the song.

[KarenS]

25. My Girl - The Temptations

[debm55]

38. Thank you KarenS. Loved that song.

[CanonRay]

26. Used To Be My Girl

By the O'Jays. But there's so many great ones.

[debm55]

39. Thank you CanonRay loved it.

[Mister Ed]

27. "Bernadette", by The Four Tops, chiefly because of James Jamerson's superb bass line.

Runner-up goes to The Supremes for "Love Child".

[debm55]

41. Thank you Mister Ed. Loved both of these songs. I sometimes cry when "Love Child " is played. It reminds of my first

love,

[303squadron]

28. Bernadette

As a huge fan of the great bassist James Jameson - who played bass on so many Motown hits, Bernadette still hits me in the musical solar plexus. Wanna treat? Listen to the song and pay attention to the bass!

[debm55]

42. Thank you 303spuadron. I will remember to listen for it.

[johnp3907]

102. Isolated bass track.

?si=74tq6mQA4ovbRBqd

And how to play it:

?si=8si5iBmq1hTlWgoY

[brush]

29. "I Can't Help Myself" by the Four Tops.

[debm55]

44. thank you brush. I loved this song too. So mellow and beautifully written song.and music.

[nocoincidences]

30. The Spinners' version of Workin' My Way Back to You

&

[debm55]

45. Thank you nocoincidences. This was another great dance to song.

[Ziggysmom]

32. Another vote for Bernadette by The Four Tops!

Love that song!

[debm55]

46. Thank you ziggsmom. Loved it.

[marble falls]

33. Heard it Through the Grapevine, anything by the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops ...

... Temptations, 'Retha Franklin, Gladys Knight & Pips, Martha and the Vandellas, Spinners, Ray Charles, Al Green, James Brown, The Miracles, Drifters, the ............................!

TOOOOO many.

?si=8O19qwMkumzYNgFg

[debm55]

47. Loved them all, too, wow, what a great time for music. That was the Detroit sound, but wasn't there a Phillie sound too?

[marble falls]

56. Archie Bell and the Drells, the Delphonics (Didn't I Blow Your Mind, Baby - best Philly soul song ever), OJs, Lew Rawls

Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, The Trammps, The Wicked Mr Wilson Pickett - or Chicago soul-
The Impressions, Jackie Wilson, Donny Hathaway, The Dells, Curtis Mayfield, The Chi-Lites, Jerry Butler, Minnie Riperton, Walter Jackson, Tyrone Davis, Willie Clayton, The Esquires.

How about Memphis Soul?

?si=HqDqKUpIYHvMw_xU

?si=wHSvXRL40abqxXZM

[debm55]

74. Thank you marble falls. I knew about the Phillie Soul. thank you for telling us about Memphis Soul

[debm55]

76. I changed the OP to include all soul.

[catbyte]

35. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas- Nowhere to Run

[debm55]

48. Thank you, we would take our transiters out in the and pretend we were singing.the songs.

[ailsagirl]

65. Also "Dancin' in the Street"

Martha and the Vandellas 💕

[debm55]

78. Thank you ailsagirl. Terrific dancing song. Loved it.

[JoseBalow]

36. I Wish It Would Rain - The Temptations

(2:47)

[debm55]

77. Thank you JoseBalow. Great sound.

[malaise]

37. Way too many to pick one

Last edited Thu Sep 5, 2024, 10:02 PM - Edit history (1)

😀

[debm55]

79. I know. But just pick up to three of your favorites.

[if..fish..had..wings]

40. Tears of a Clown

[debm55]

80. Loved that song , Loved singing to the song and Loved dancing to the song. Thank you if..fish..had..wings

[LoisB]

43. Probably "Please Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes.

[debm55]

82. Now you got me dancing. thank you LoisB.

[LoisB]

84. Yeah, I used to cut quite a rug to this one myself. Now, I just trip over the rug.

[Niagara]

49. I have a few :)

You've Really Got A Hold On Me by Smokey Robinson

Being With You by Smokey Robinson

Brick House but not the version by only The Commodores, I like Lionel Richie's/Rob Zombie's jam session version.

[debm55]

50. Thank you Niagara. Great songs all, But I must add I liked the Commadores, version too.

[DEbluedude]

51. The Temptations' Ball of Confusion

[debm55]

85. Thank you DEbluedude. I liked the song. I was unlike any of Motown songs at the time.

[Figarosmom]

52. Stop in the name of love

Last edited Thu Sep 5, 2024, 06:38 PM - Edit history (1)

Supreme


And Ball of confusion
The Temptations. Which is a song that still applies. Funny how issues from way back then are still partision issues. It's almost like they chose issues with no intention of ever doing anything about so they can continue to use it.

[debm55]

111. thank you Figarosmom. The Supremes were my #i group backin the day.

[Ritabert]

53. Just My Imagination or Papa Was a Rolling Stone by the Temptations

[debm55]

112. Thank you Ritabert. Loved the Temps.

[Lunabell]

54. Oh wow, so many to chose from!

But, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" absolutely tops the list.

[debm55]

113. Thank you Lunabell. That was his best of a whole catalogue of brilliant songs.

[MichMan]

55. Commodores Zoom

Nothing else is close. Still one of my all time favorites. Great memories of listening to it at college

Classic Motown would have to be Four Tops "Standing in the Shadows of Love" and "Bernadette"

[debm55]

114. Thank you MichMan. I really liked all three songs, Great selection.

[LoisB]

57. I named one but could probably come up with hundreds.

[elleng]

58. TOO MANY to name, but Supersititious IS a great one!

[debm55]

120. thank you very much, elleng

[Americanme]

59. What does it take (to win your love)

[debm55]

121. Thank you. Loved this song.

[liberaltrucker]

61. The Temptations

?si=q7Nd2ERHxjPUjNps

Awesome bass line!

[debm55]

122. Great song and music. Thank you liberaltrucker.

[LeftInTX]

62. Alot of artists switched labels.

But my favorites are Stevie Wonder: Higher Ground, I Wish and Marvin Gaye: Got To Give It Up.

They were recorded on Tamla which was a subsidiary of Motown. Ain't No Mountain High was also recorded on Tamla.

[debm55]

124. Thanks LeftinTexas. I didn't know that information. Ty for sharing.

[ailsagirl]

63. You Keep Me Hanging On -- Supremes

[debm55]

125. Thank you the Supremes were my favorite girl group.

[johnp3907]

66. The Drifters - Up on the Roof

Also, the store where I work has had a vintage Soul/R&B mix playing lately, and I’ve come to like this one a lot:

[debm55]

126. Thank you johnp3907 Love both of the them

[Mponti]

67. Four Tops -- Walk Away Renee

Your name and mine inside
a heart on a wall
Still finds a way to haunt me,
though they're so small

Levi Stubbs was a genius and golden voice.
[

[debm55]

132. Thank you Mponti. Love it

[Mosby]

68. Marvin Gaye Tammi Terrell "If This World Were Mine"

[debm55]

128. Thank you. I loved Tammi and Marvin duets.

[Clouds Passing]

69. Marvin Gaye Mercy Mercy Me

Edwin Starr War
Stevie Wonder Don’t You Worry About A Thing
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles Ooo Baby Baby
Rare Earth I Just Want To Celebrate

[debm55]

75. Great songs , thank you Clouds Passing.

[ProfessorGAC]

70. Same #1 Here, Deb

I have to also mention Papa Was A Rolling Stone & Tears Of A Clown.
For a while, as a kid jazz piano player, all I cared about popular music was The Beatles & Motown.
Wasn't until HS that I started expanding my pop/rock music interests.
When trapped into singing something at karaoke (friends would sign me up, knowing I didn't want to), Superstition was what I'd sing. Lots of vocal tricks work on it.
Oh, and it's Superstition, not Superstitious. Lots of folks mix that up because the 2nd word in the whole song is Superstitious.
It was off Talking Book, which is my favorite SW album.

[debm55]

71. Thank you very much for your post, I loved that album. I believe one car company used it for it's song. Looked like the

New Orleans. Thank you very much for your post.

[debm55]

72. One question that you might know the answer toThere is Motown sound that came out of Detroit but wasn't there a

another sound that came out of Phillie? they were very similar. Also, I thought the Jackson 5 came out of Motown. sound . I am surprised no one have mentioned Billy Jean or Thriller which were both monster hits at their time. Thanks.

[Wiz Imp]

83. Yes. Philadelphia Soul

From Wikipedia:

Philadelphia soul, sometimes called Philly soul, the Philadelphia sound, Phillysound, or The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP), is a genre of late 1960s–1970s soul music characterized by funk influences and lush string and horn arrangements. The genre laid the groundwork for the emergence of disco later in the 1970s by fusing the R&B rhythm sections of the 1960s with the pop vocal tradition and featuring a more pronounced jazz influence in its melodic structures and arrangements.

Due to the emphasis on sound and arrangement and the relative anonymity of many of its artists, Philadelphia soul is often considered a producers' genre. Songwriters and producers Bunny Sigler, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff are credited with developing the genre.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_soul

[debm55]

87. Thank you very much, Wiz Imp.

[Wiz Imp]

88. Some of the best Philly Soul records include

Love Train by the O'Jays
If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
When Will I See You Again by the Three Degrees
You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine by Lou Rawls
Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul
TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) by MFSB featuring the Three Degrees (which was later used as the theme song for Soul Train)

[debm55]

94. Oh I loved those songs and remember them well. Thank you Wiz Imp

[Zambero]

93. MJ's Thriller is from the L.A. Motown era

In 1972, Berry Gordy closed up shop in Motor City and moved his operation to Los Angeles. The big hits kept coming but the sound was altogether different, slicker and less "organic" than days of the Funk Brothers working their magic in Motown's "Snake Pit".

[debm55]

98. Tnank you Zambero for providing us with the information

[ProfessorGAC]

109. Sure!

The Philly Sound was a big thing. The O'Jays were a prime example.
The Philly Sound was very influential on Hall & Oates and Todd Rundgren.

[Brainfodder]

81. You'll Never Find A Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls

[debm55]

86. Thank you Brainfodder , Lou Rawls' songs were romantic. Good choice.

[Zambero]

89. "Heat Wave"

Martha & The Vandellas

[debm55]

91. Great song. Thank you Zambero.

[Eugene]

90. "Superstition" is my favorite song period.

It makes me want to get up and dance too.

[debm55]

129. Agree and thank you Eugene.

[DBoon]

92. James Brown Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (1965)

[debm55]

123. Thank you DBoon. Great song.

[LoisB]

95. "If You Don't Know Me By Now" - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes with Teddy Pendergrass singing lead.

"Tell Her Love Has Felt the Need" - Eddie Kendricks
"Valerie" - The Starlites
"Sexual Healing" - Marvin Gaye

and so on, and so on

[debm55]

97. Thank you LoisB Wonderful songs,music and singers.

[Dulcinea]

96. Got to Give it Up--Marvin Gaye

Also his version of "Heard it Through the Grapevine."

[debm55]

99. Thank you Dulcinea Both are classics.

[LakeVermilion]

100. My choice:

Hello Stranger, written and sung by Barbara Lewis. I is simple but haunting. Certainly captures teen angst.

Note: I read through all of the responses. I don't remember anything by Sam Cooke, who must be the father of soul music.

[debm55]

115. Thank you LakeVermillion. Beautiful, haunting song.

[dchill]

101. Respect. Aretha.

But I have MANY more.

[debm55]

117. Totally agree, Thank you dchill

[MichMan]

103. Now that it is more than Motown, I will add the O'Jays "I Love Music"

I could listen to this all day long. Everything about it is perfect from beginning to end.

[debm55]

118. Thank you MichMan

[MichMan]

104. Evelyn King "Love Come Down"

[debm55]

119. Thank you MichMan

[MichMan]

105. What is sad IMO is that the "Soul" genre has pretty much been replaced with Rap/Hip-Hop

[MichMan]

106. My final one is The Whispers "Keep on Lovin' Me"

Another one I could listen to 10x in a row

[debm55]

130. Thank you MichMan for all of your songs.

[brewens]

107. Billy Preston: Will it Go Round in Circles. :) n/t

[debm55]

110. Thank you brewens, I liked that song very much.Great dancing song.

[WestMichRad]

108. All of the above!

Wasn’t that a great period of music? So fortunate to have gotten to enjoy all the great music of our youth!!

[debm55]

116. I agree. Wonderful music, Thank you WestMichRad

[WhiteTara]

127. Sam Cooke - Change is Going to Come

I always thought soul was about the hardship of life, and this song perfectly reflects that.

[debm55]

133. Thank You White Tara, Over the years soul changed to the Motown sound and then more rock was put in. I think it was the

Blues that talked about hardship

[WhiteTara]

135. thanks for the correction

Indeed, blues are more soulful than Motown.

[Duncanpup]

131. There's no beer in heaven polka 😉

[debm55]

134. -------------------

[Keepthesoulalive]

136. Ok, you asked for it

Midnight hour Wilson Pickett
Cold Sweat James Brown
Spinners. mighty Love
I could go on for days but I’ll stop now.