When I started this series, I had the expectation that the story of Motown would move along in a linear fashion. That is to say, I expected the story to start with a tiny label that gradually got better and better as it grew bigger and bigger.

This show indubitably proved that that is not necessarily the case.

In 1963, Motown was still experimenting with a variety of styles, and trying to pick the direction of popular music by following the winds of change as dictated by other labels and other artists; Motown was still not yet confident to follow their own lead all of the time. The result is a significantly large number of recordings that sound nothing like what ‘Motown’ has come to stand for.

This signifies the first show covering music from 1963, and it represents a period of change, a time before the label’s identity became solidified. If this were a linear story, then 1963 would have a higher ratio of hits than previous years. That is not necessarily the case, as shown by the songs featured below;

I Found a Girl – The Valadiers

Good Bye Cruel Love – Linda Griner

I Want to Talk about You – Paula Greer

Laughing Boy – Mary Wells

Sugar Cane Curtain – The Chuck-A-Lucks

It Should have Been Me – Kim Weston

Love Me All the Way – Kim Weston

Locking Up My Heart The Marvelettes

Forever – The Marvelettes

Come and Get These Memories – Martha Reeves & the Vandellas

My Heart Can’t Take It No More – The Supremes

Late Freight – Dave Hamilton

I’m See You Later – The Johnny Griffith Trio