Category Motown

“Heat Wave” (Martha and the Vandellas/Linda Ronstadt)

Heat Wave, Martha & the Vandellas

Today’s classic Motown song of the day is “Heat Wave,” which was a hit twice—for Martha and the Vandellas in 1963 and a little over a decade later for Linda Ronstadt. We’ll focus on the original version first, since this is Motown week at the Classic Song of the Day blog. Martha and the Vandellas recorded “Heat Wave” on June…

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“Please Mr. Postman” (The Marvelettes/The Beatles/The Carpenters)

Please Mr. Postman, Marvelettes

Today’s classic song of the day is “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes. It was one of the first big Motown hits, released in August of 1961 on the Tamla label. It went all the way to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard’s Hot R&B Sides charts. If you’ve been following this blog you might have noticed…

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“Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” (Frank Wilson/Bruce Springsteen

Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) Frank Wilson

Today’s little-known classic soul song of the day is “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do),” originally released by Frank Wilson and most recently covered by the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. Frank Wilson was a songwriter and producer for Motown Records in the ’60s and ’70s. In 1965 he was recruited, along with a handful of others, by Berry Gordy…

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“ABC” (The Jackson 5)

ABC, the Jackson 5

After three weeks, we come to our final classic song of the day from 1970, and it’s a big one: “ABC” by The Jackson 5. This single was released in late February of 1970 and quickly shot up of the charts, reaching the #1 slot on April 25th, where it stayed for two weeks. It also hit #1 on Billboard’s…

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“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (Jimmy Ruffin/Paul Young/Joan Osborne)

Standing in the Shadows of Motown

Today’s classic song of the day packs a true emotional punch. I’m talking about “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” originally a hit for Motown artist Jimmy Ruffin in the 1960s, then a hit for Brit singer Paul Young in the 1990s, but perhaps performed best by Joan Osborne with Motown’s Funk Brothers in 2002. It’s such a perfect song that…

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“This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” (Isley Brothers/Rod Stewart)

This Old Heart of Mine, Isley Brothers

Today’s classic song of the day is such a great song it was a hit in both the 1960s and 1980s—and has become a standard for performers of all types and sizes. The song is “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You),” which was first released by the Isley Brothers in 1966 and then later by Rod Stewart…

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