To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Motown Records (on January 12th 2009) Universal Music has released Motown 50 – a compilation of tracks chosen by Motown fans worldwide.

Motown 50 on amazon.co.uk

Motown on amazon.com

Universal Motown embraced social networking and the internet to create a unique compilation album by partnering with www.pollthepeople.com, a global online polling community, to launch the Greatest Motown Songs poll. The poll ran for four weeks throughout October and the ultimate Motown Top 50 has been selected combining the entries from both the UK and International polls*.

No surprises that (drum roll) Marvin Gaye’s phenomenal “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” topped the poll worldwide as the world’s no 1 Motown hit!

The top 5 also consisted of Diana Ross – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, The Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love”, Diana Ross “I’m Still Waiting” and the legendary Stevie Wonder with “Superstition”.

As well as 50 of the hottest Motown tunes of all time from the 60s to the 80s, the 3 CD UK version also features some hard to find covers with some of the most outstanding artists singing songs from their peers. The legend that is Stevie Wonder gives us a mesmerising and very funky take on “Light My Fire”. There’s also a cracking version of “Everybody’s Talking” by The Four Tops followed by unbelievable renditions of classic tracks from The Temptations with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas with girly sing-along favourite “I Say A Little Prayer”.

The album also contains three rarely compiled Stevie Wonder tracks; “Superstition”, “Sir Duke” and “Masterblaster (Jammin)”.

The public have decided on their favourite 50 to mark the anniversary of arguably the most influential record label ever.

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The Motown Sound went worldwide in the ’60s, and that sound still resonates today. With more than 180 No.1 songs and counting, Motown hits continue to appear in commercials, TV series and movies, and remain a massive influence on today’s biggest pop and R&B stars.

But Motown stands for more than just the music. It’s a reflection of the hard work of dedicated individuals overcoming incredible obstacles to achieve great success. Berry Gordy Jr., a young African American man, founded Motown Records with a loan of $800 from his family. Through determination and support of the Motown family of artists, Gordy forged new grounds for minorities and made the “Motown Sound” a worldwide phenomenon adored by millions.

Track List

CD1

1) Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
2) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – Dancing In The Street
3) The Supremes – Baby Love
4) Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
5) The Velvelettes – Needle In A Haystack
6) The Temptations – Get Ready
7) The Supremes – You Can’t Hurry Love
8 The Elgins – Heaven Must Have Sent You
9) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – Nowhere To Run
10) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – Jimmy Mack
11) The Isley Brothers – This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
12) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – The Tears Of A Clown
13) Jackson 5 – ABC
14) Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston – It Takes Two
15) Mary Wells – My Guy
16) The Contours – Do You Love Me
17) Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
18) R. Dean Taylor – There’s A Ghost In My House
19) The Supremes – Stop! In The Name Of Love
20) Jr. Walker & The All Stars – Shotgun
21) Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
22) Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
23) Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye – You Are Everything
24) Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

CD2

1) Stevie Wonder – Superstition
2) The Temptations – Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone
3) Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
4) Commodores – Brick House
5) Edwin Starr – War
6) The Temptations – My Girl
7) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – The Tracks Of My Tears
8 Lionel Richie & Diana Ross – Endless Love
9) Commodores – Easy
10) Diana Ross & The Supremes – Reflections
11) Four Tops – Reach Out, I’ll Be There
12) Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
13) Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
14) Michael Jackson Got To Be There
15) Smokey Robinson – Being With You
16) Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
17) The Miracles – Love Machine
18) Lionel Richie – All Night Long (All Night)
19) Diana Ross – Love Hangover
20) Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way

CD3

1) Stevie Wonder – Masterblaster (Jammin)
2) Commodores – Nightshift
3) Diana Ross – Upside Down
4) Rick James – Super Freak
5) The Temptations – Treat Her Like A Lady
6) Lionel Richie – My Destiny

THE COVER VERSIONS

7) Stevie Wonder – Light My Fire
8 Four Tops – Everybody’s Talking
9) Rare Earth – Get Ready
10) Kim Weston & Marvin Gaye – Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)
11) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – I Say A Little Prayer
12) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Wichita Lineman
13) Thelma Houston – Jumpin’ Jack Flash
14) The Temptations – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
15) The Supremes – Come Together
16) David Ruffin – Put A Little Love In Your Heart
17) Michael Jackson – You’ve Got A Friend

*Top 50 was subject to track clearance and artist consent.

Motown Official Website