Hold onto your hats, because this is gonna be one long and crazy ride. This is the first time that we are featuring a record label in the “How Music Changed” series, and there is so much to cover regarding the Motown label that we may be doing this for quite a while.

Individually, and with only a few exceptions, each of the Motown artists may not have had a huge impact on the state of music. Taken collectively, though, the Motown family may represent the most influential label of all time.

Without a doubt, Motown was a label for singles. Of the entire family of recording artists, only Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye managed to develop their stature as album artists, which is why they each earn their own slot in “How Music Changed”.

(If you wish, you may listen to our 6-part series on Marvin Gaye, which we completed earlier this year).

The balance of the acts is best known for their singles. As such, this gave me an interesting and ambitious idea – why not play each and every single released by Motown from their inception until their move west in 1970? It’s going to take a LONG time and a lot of shows, but it ought to be entertaining, and should also be the most accurate way to represent the influence and growth of Berry Gordy Jr.’s label. So, here goes nothing!

Our first show on Motown’s singles includes the following;

Reet Petite/That’s Why (I Love You So)/Lonely Teardrops – Jackie Wilson

Come to Me – Marv Johnson

Merry-Go-Round – Eddie Holland

Let’s Rock – Barrrett Strong

Solid Sender – Chico Leverett

Snake Walk (Part One) – The Swinging Tigers

It – Bill and Ron

Going to the Hop – The Satintones

Motor City - The Satintones

Money (That’s What I Want) – Barrett Strong

Ichi-Bon – Nick and the Jaguars

Bad Girl – The Miracles

The Feeling Is So Fine - The Miracles

(You Can) Depend on Me – The Miracles