This is our fifth show in what promises to seem like a never-ending series of programs dedicated to playing every single Motown A-side from the ‘60s. That’s a LOT of music, folks. Eventually, we expect that it will also mean a lot of hit records, too, but the early years at Motown were comparatively lean. For example, here we are, five shows into our series, covering the Autumn of 1961, and this is the first program to feature a national #1 hit.

Hits are nice, but the real purpose of this series of shows is to display the full range of Motown’s output, and to convey how difficult it was to consistently hit the charts, even for a label as successful as Motown. It is telling that after the #1 hit, none of the other songs had any impact on the national charts, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting.

Here’s a list of songs featured in this program;

The Stretch – The Contours

Please Mr. Postman – The Marvelettes

Itsy Bity Pity Love – Debbie Dean

They Shall Be Mine – Rev. Columbus Mann

Someone to Call My Own – The Ecuadors

Love Me – Pete Hartfield

Everybody’s Gotta Pay Some Dues – The Miracles

Angel in Blue – Joel Sebastian

Strange Love – Mary Wells

The Day Will Come – Freddie Gorman

Have I the Right – Popcorn & the Mohawks

Zing Went the Strings of My Heart – The Satintones