The Ultimate Motown Hit Song (and Great Song) Discography: 1959-1998 (The Best-Sounding Recordings)

"Hitsville, USA": the studio on West Grand Blvd. in Detroit, Michigan (now a museum), where most of the Motown recordings from 1959 to1971 were made

See related posts:

The Ultimate Motown Collection of Chronological Discographies

Motown's James Jamerson: The Greatest Bass Guitarist of All Time

"Pilgrimage" to Historic Blues and Country Music Sites, in the South, and in Detroit


I grew up in Detroit (southwest side, by Vernor and Central, for those of you who know the city at all), lived there from my birth in 1958 till 1975, and went to nationally-renowned Cass Technical High School near downtown, which was only about a mile away from the legendary Motown Studio (that I have visited twice), and Wayne State University, a little north of downtown. I still live only a mile or two away from southwest Detroit and go to church in downtown Detroit (just past the new football and baseball stadiums).

It was exactly the right time to grow up, in terms of the wonderful music coming out of this studio in my hometown. We're extremely proud of this heritage in the Motor City. Recently I put together a long-planned, chronological 11-CD compilation of Motown hit songs, from various sources. I listened to each song in as many versions as I could, in order to compare remastered versions, and mono vs. stereo.

I did the same with the Beatles a year ago when the remastered mono and stereo box sets came out. As with the Beatles, I found that I usually preferred the mono versions prior to around 1969-1970. They were likely the "primary" mixes (especially for the singles): intended for mono AM radio. This is how I (and most of us who were alive then) heard the songs all through the 1960s: through a car radio or mono record player (usually 45 rpm records in my case, as we had no Motown albums). So perhaps those in my generation (baby boomers) maintain a fondness for the old mono recordings that is a bit inexplicable for the younger folks who have known only stereo (and digital recording, which has only recently matched the audio quality that vinyl records had 40 or more years ago).

I follow the original 60s Motown artists (the most prominent ones) through the 70s, 80s, and 90s, even if they eventually went to another label (example: the 70s hits of Gladys Knight and the Pips, on other labels). So this is really (strictly speaking) a "discography of hit songs and best recordings of 60s Motown artists," since I don't include new artists from the 70s and onwards. But I didn't include, as another example, the 70s hits of The Spinners (only slightly successful at Motown), because they exemplified the "Philadelphia Sound" and thus were not really appropriate in a collection focusing on the classic "Motown Sound."

[Tracks in mono will be colored in blue. All tracks are 320kbps unless specified otherwise. The number following # is the song's highest position on the Billboard Pop Chart. Songs are chronological according to release date]

225 Songs
[almost 13 hours of music]
167 Top Ten Songs
54 #1 Songs

CD 1 (1959 - August 1964) [73.24]
[16 Top 10 songs / 4 #1 songs]

1. Money #23 Barrett Strong [Hitsville USA: Motown Singles Collection: 1959-1971 (1992)]
2. Shop Around #2 The Miracles [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
3. Please Mr. Postman #1 Marvelettes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
4. Every Beat of My Heart #6 Gladys Knight & the Pips [unknown album] 192 kbps
5. The One Who Really Loves You #8 Mary Wells [Hitsville USA (1992)]
6. Playboy #7 Marvelettes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
7. Beechwood 4-5789 #17 Marvelettes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
8. Do You Love Me #3 The Contours [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
9. You Beat Me to the Punch #9 Mary Wells [Hitsville USA (1992)]
10. Stubborn Kind of Fellow #46 Marvin Gaye [Very Best Of (2001)] 256 kbps
11. Two Lovers #7 Mary Wells [Hitsville USA (1992)]
12. You've Really Got a Hold On Me #8 The Miracles [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
13. Come and Get These Memories #29 Martha & the Vandellas [20th Century Masters (1999)] 192 kbps
14. Forever #44 Marvelettes [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
15. Pride and Joy #10 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
16. Fingertips, Pt. 2 #1 Stevie Wonder [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
17. Heat Wave #4 Martha & the Vandellas [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
18. Mickey's Monkey #8 The Miracles [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
19. Can I Get a Witness #22 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
20. Quicksand #8 Martha & the Vandellas [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
21. The Way You Do the Things You Do #11 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
22. You're a Wonderful One #15 Marvin Gaye [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
23. My Guy #1 Mary Wells [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
24. Every Little Bit Hurts #13 Brenda Holloway [Hitsville USA (1992)]
25. Where Did Our Love Go #1 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
26. Baby, I Need Your Loving #11 The Four Tops [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
27. Dancing in the Street #2 Martha & the Vandellas [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]

CD 2 (September 1964 - 1965) [73.17]
[13 Top 10 songs / 5 #1 songs]

1. Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) #26 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
2. Baby Love #1 The Supremes [Hitsville USA (1992)]
3. Without the One You Love #43 The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
4. Come See About Me #1 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
5. How Sweet It Is #6 Marvin Gaye [Hitsville USA (1992)]
6. My Girl #1 The Temptations [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
7. Ask the Lonely #24 The Four Tops [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
8. Shotgun #4 Junior Walker & the All-Stars [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
9. Stop! in the Name of Love #1 The Supremes [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
10. Nowhere to Run #8 Martha & the Vandellas [Hitsville USA (1992)]
11. I'll be Doggone #8 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
12. It's Growing #18 The Temptations [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
13. Ooo Baby Baby #16 The Miracles [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
14. Back in My Arms Again #1 The Supremes [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
15. I Can't Help Myself #1 The Four Tops [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
16. The Tracks of My Tears #16 The Miracles [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
17. Since I Lost My Baby #17 The Temptations [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
18. It's the Same Old Song #5 The Four Tops [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
19. Nothing But Heartaches #11 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
20. Ain't That Peculiar #8 Marvin Gaye [Very Best Of (2001)] 256 kbps
21. My Girl Has Gone #14 The Miracles [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
22. My Baby #13 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
23. Don't Look Back #13 The Temptations [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
24. I Hear a Symphony #1 The Supremes [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
25. Something About You #19 The Four Tops [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
CD 3 (1966) [69.36]
[15 Top 10 songs / 3 #1 songs]

1. Uptight #3 Stevie Wonder [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
2. Going to a Go-Go #11 The Miracles [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
3. Don't Mess with Bill #7 Marvelettes [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
4. My World is Empty Without You #5 The Supremes [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
5. My Baby Loves Me #22 Martha & the Vandellas [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
6. This Old Heart of Mine #12 The Isley Brothers [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
7. Shake Me, Wake Me, When It's Over #18 The Four Tops [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
8. Get Ready #29 The Temptations [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
9. Love is Like an Itching In My Heart #9 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
10. Ain't Too Proud to Beg #13 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
11. Blowin' in the Wind #9 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
12. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted #7 Jimmy Ruffin [Hitsville USA (1992)]
13. You Can't Hurry Love #1 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
14. Beauty's Only Skin Deep #3 The Temptations [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
15. Reach Out, I'll Be There #1 The Four Tops [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
16. You Keep Me Hangin' On #1 The Supremes [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
17. I'm Ready For Love #9 Martha & the Vandellas [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
18. A Place in the Sun #9 Stevie Wonder [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
19. (I Know I'm) Losin' You #8 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
20. Standing in the Shadows of Love #6 The Four Tops [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
21. Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) #48 Edwin Starr [Soul Master (2002)] 192 kbps
22. Some Day at Christmas Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
23. I Got a Feeling The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
24. Cool Jerk #7 The Capitols & The Funk Brothers [Dick Van Dyke's Dance Party (1995)]

CD 4 (1967) [69.43]
[14 Top 10 songs / 2 #1 songs]

1. It Takes Two #14 Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston [Complete Motown Singles (2006)]
2. The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game #13 Marvelettes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
3. Love is Here and Now You're Gone #1 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
4. The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage #20 The Miracles [Definitive Collection (2008)]
5. Jimmy Mack #10 Martha & the Vandellas [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
6. Bernadette #4 The Four Tops [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
7. The Happening #1 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
8. All I Need #8 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
9. Ain't No Mountain High Enough #19 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
10. Seven Rooms of Gloom #14 The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
11. More Love #23 The Miracles [Hitsville USA (1992)]
12. I Was Made to Love Her #2 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
13. You're My Everything #6 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
14. Reflections #2 The Supremes [The Motown Box (2005)] 192 kbps
15. You Keep Running Away #19 The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
16. Your Precious Love #5 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell [Very Best Of (2001)] 256 kbps
17. I'm Wondering #12 Stevie Wonder [At the Close of a Century (1999)]
18. It's You That I Need #14 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
19. I Heard it Through the Grapevine #2 Gladys Knight & the Pips [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
20. I Second That Emotion #4 The Miracles [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
21. In and Out of Love #9 The Supremes [Ultimate Collection (1997)] 192 kbps
22. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You #10 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell [Very Best Of (2001)] 224 kbps
23. I'll Turn to Stone The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
24. Higher and Higher #6 Jackie Wilson & The Funk Brothers [The Soul Story (2007)] 192 kbps

CD 5 (1968-1969) [76.13]
[21 Top 10 songs / 4 #1 songs]

1. I Wish It Would Rain #4 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
2. Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day #9 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
3. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing #8 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell [Very Best Of (2001)] 256 kbps
4. I Could Never Love Another #13 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
5. You're All I Need to Get By #7 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
6. Love Child #1 The Supremes [Hitsville USA (1992)]
7. For Once in My Life #2 Stevie Wonder [Hitsville USA (1992)]
8. Cloud Nine #6 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
9. I Heard it Through the Grapevine #1 Marvin Gaye [Hitsville USA (1992)]
10. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me #2 Temptations & Supremes [The Supremes: Definitive Collection (2009)]
11. Baby, Baby Don't Cry #8 The Miracles [Ultimate Collection (1998)] 192 kbps
12. I'm Livin' in Shame #10 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]
13. My Whole World Ended #9 David Ruffin [Hitsville USA (1992)]
14. Twenty-Five Miles #6 Edwin Starr [Hitsville USA (1992)]
15. Runaway Child, Running Wild #6 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
16. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby #4 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
17. Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down #20 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
18. What Does it Take #4 Junior Walker & the All-Stars [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
19. My Cherie Amour #4 Stevie Wonder [At the Close of a Century (1999)]
20. I Can't Get Next to You #1 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
21. That's the Way Love Is #7 Marvin Gaye [Very Best Of (2001)] 256 kbps
22. Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday #7 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
23. Someday We'll be Together #1 The Supremes [Definitive Collection (2009)]

CD 6 (1970 + Best of Jackson Five) [72.20]
[16 Top 10 songs / 7 #1 songs]

1. I Want You Back #1 The Jackson Five [Hitsville USA (1992)]
2. Baby, I'm For Real #14 The Originals [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
3. Friendship Train #17 Gladys Knight & the Pips [Definitive Collection (2009)]
4. Psychedelic Shack #7 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
5. The Bells #12 The Originals [Hitsville USA (1992)]
6. Up the Ladder to the Roof #10 The Supremes [Hitsville USA (1992)]
7. ABC #1 The Jackson Five [Hitsville USA (1992)]
8. Get Ready #4 Rare Earth [Hitsville USA (1992)]
9. Reach Out and Touch #20 Diana Ross [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
10. Ball of Confusion #3 The Temptations [Ultimate Collection (1997)]
11. The Love You Save #1 The Jackson Five [Hitsville USA (1992)]
12. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours #3 Stevie Wonder [Hitsville USA (1992)]
13. War #1 Edwin Starr [Hitsville USA (1992)]
14. It's a Shame #14 The Spinners [Hitsville USA (1992)]
15. Ain't No Mountain High Enough #1 Diana Ross [Hitsville USA (1992)]
16. Still Water #11 The Four Tops [Hitsville USA (1992)]
17. I'll Be There #1 The Jackson Five [Hitsville USA (1992)]
18. Heaven Help Us All #9 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
19. The Tears of a Clown #1 The Miracles [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
20. Mama's Pearl #2 The Jackson Five [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
21. Never Can Say Goodbye #2 The Jackson Five [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
22. Sugar Daddy #10 The Jackson Five [Gold (2005)] 192 kbps

CD 7 (1971-1972) [70.12]
[17 Top 10 songs / 4 #1 songs]

1. Stoned Love #7 The Supremes [Hitsville USA (1992)]
2. If I Were Your Woman #9 Gladys Knight & the Pips [Definitive Collection (2009)]
3. Just My Imagination #1 The Temptations [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
4. What's Going On #2 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
5. We Can Work It Out #13 Stevie Wonder [At the Close of a Century (1999)]
6. Smiling Faces Sometimes #3 The Undisputed Truth [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
7. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) #4 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
8. If You Really Love Me #8 Stevie Wonder [At the Close of a Century (1999)]
9. I Just Want to Celebrate #7 Rare Earth [Hitsville USA (1992)]
10. Inner City Blues #9 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
11. Got to Be There #4 Michael Jackson [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
12. Superstar #8 The Temptations [Anthology (1995)]
13. Scorpio #6 Dennis Coffey [unknown album] 256 kbps
14. Rockin' Robin #2 Michael Jackson [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
15. Ben #1 Michael Jackson [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
16. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone #1 The Temptations [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
17. Superstition #1 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
18. Keeper of the Castle #10 The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
19. Trouble Man #7 Marvin Gaye [Very Best Of (2001)] 256 kbps

CD 8 (1973-1974) [73.31]
[17 Top 10 songs / 6 #1 songs]

1. Ain't No Woman #4 The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
2. Masterpiece #7 The Temptations [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
3. You Are the Sunshine of My Life #1 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
4. Neither One of Us #2 Gladys Knight & the Pips [Definitive Collection (2009)]
5. Are You Man Enough #15 The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
6. Touch Me in the Morning #1 Diana Ross [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
7. Let's get It On #1 Marvin Gaye [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
8. Higher Ground #4 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
9. Midnight Train to Georgia #1 Gladys Knight & the Pips [unknown album] 192 kbps
10. Keep On Truckin' #1 Eddie Kendricks [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
11. Living For the City #8 Stevie Wonder [Song Review (1996)] 192 kbps
12. I've Got to Use My Imagination #4 Gladys Knight & the Pips [unknown] 192 kbps
13. Boogie Down #2 Eddie Kendricks [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
14. Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing #16 Stevie Wonder [Innervisions]
15. Dancing Machine #2 The Jackson Five [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
16. Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me #3 Gladys Knight & the Pips [unknown] 192 kbps
17. You Haven't Done Nothin' #1 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
18. On and On #5 Gladys Knight & the Pips [unknown album] 192 kbps
19. Boogie On Reggae Woman #3 Stevie Wonder [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]

CD 9 (1975-1979) [71.09]
[14 Top 10 songs / 7 #1 songs]

1. Theme From Mahogany #1 Diana Ross [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
2. Walk Away From Love #9 David Ruffin [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]
3. A Quiet Storm Smokey Robinson [unknown album]
4. I Wish #1 Stevie Wonder [Songs in the Key of Life]
5. Love Hangover #1 Diana Ross [Motown 50 (2008)]
6. Sir Duke #1 Stevie Wonder [Songs in the Key of Life]
7. Enjoy Yourself #6 The Jacksons [Playlist: Very Best Of (2009)]
8. Got to Give It Up, Part I #1 Marvin Gaye [unknown album] 192 kbps
9. Shake Your Body #7 The Jacksons [Playlist: Very Best Of (2009)] 256 kbps
10. Cruisin' #4 Smokey Robinson [unknown album] 160 kbps
11. Don't Stop Til You Get Enough #1 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
12. Off the Wall #10 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
13. Send One Your Love #4 Stevie Wonder [The Secret Life of Plants]
14. Rock With You #1 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
15. She's Out of My Life #10 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)] 224 kbps

CD 10 (1980-1984) [67.03]
[13 Top 10 songs / 5 #1 songs]

1. Master Blaster (Jammin') #5 Stevie Wonder [Song Review (1996)] 192 kbps
2. Lovely One #12 The Jacksons [Playlist: Very Best Of (2009)]
3. When She Was My Girl #11 The Four Tops [50th Anniversary Anthology (2004)]
4. Endless Love #1 Diana Ross & Lionel Richie [100 Hits of the 80s] 192 kbps
5. Being With You #2 Smokey Robinson [unknown album] 192 kbps
6. Ebony and Ivory #1 Stevie Wonder & Paul McCartney[Song Review (1996)] 192 kbps
7. Sexual Healing #3 Marvin Gaye [Very Best Of (2001)] 256 kbps
8. That Girl #4 Stevie Wonder [At the Close of a Century (1999)] 192 kbps
9. The Girl is Mine #2 Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney [The Collection (2009)]
10. Billie Jean #1 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
11. Beat It #1 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
12. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) #10 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
13. Thriller #4 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
14. I Just Called to say "I Love You" #1 Stevie Wonder [Song Review (1996)] 192 kbps
15. State of Shock #3 The Jacksons & Mick Jagger [Playlist: Very Best Of (2009)]

CD 11 (1985-1998) [55.16]
[11 Top 10 songs / 7 #1 songs]

1. Part-Time Lover #1 Stevie Wonder [Song Review (1996)] 192 kbps
2. That's What Friends Are For #1 Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, & Elton John [unknown album] 128 kbps
3. Go Home #10 Stevie Wonder [At the Close of a Century (1999)] 192 kbps
4. Just to See Her #8 Smokey Robinson [One Heartbeat]
5. I Just Can't Stop Loving You #1 Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett [The Collection (2009)] 192 kbps
6. One Heartbeat #10 Smokey Robinson [One Heartbeat]
7. The Way You Make Me Feel #1 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)]
8. Man in the Mirror #1 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)] 195 kbps
9. The Motown Song #10 Rod Stewart & The Temptations [Vagabond Heart] 160 kbps
10. Black or White #1 Michael Jackson [The Collection (2009)] 256 kbps
11. You Are Not Alone #1 Michael Jackson [unknown album] 256 kbps
12. Stay The Temptations [Complete Motown #1s (2008)]