Why Do I Feel This Way and I Dont Even Know You Pldies

There are Motown songs that everyone knows the words to, the songs you can always depend to stumble upon on oldies stations while scanning the radio dial. Just for every "Stop! In the Proper name of Dearest" or "My Guy," there is an unheralded Motown melody that many people have never heard before.

In honor of "Motown: The Musical" opening in Detroit, here are some of the legendary characterization's about underappreciated songs:

The Velvelettes - "A Bird in the Hand (is Worth 2 in the Bush)"

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Released Nov 1965

The Velvelettes formed in Kalamazoo in 1962. Just 2 years later, the girl group released its offset single for Motown, and it was a doozy: the doo-a-lang-doo-a-lang-filled "Needle in a Haystack." The grouping likewise saw some success with its adjacent single, "He was Actually Sayin' Somethin.' "

But "Bird" flew under the radar, partly considering it came out five months afterwards the group'south last release. Notwithstanding, the melody is straight-up Motown magic with a steady driving beat, much in the vein of the bigger hits past the Supremes and Marvelettes. The vocal is a cautionary tale for women not to go out their fella for another who might "offer yous the moon."

The grouping never got the star treatment from Motown and was relegated to backup singer condition most of the time. The last Velvelettes tape released past Motown came in 1966, two years after "Haystack" cruised to No. 45 on the pop charts. The ring officially disbanded in 1969, when lead singer Cal Gill married fellow Motown vocalizer Richard Street of the Monitors (and later the Temptations). More on him in a second.

The Velvelettes reunited in 1984, and today are the only Motown group of the label's early era still performing live with its original lineup.

The Monitors – "Bring Back the Beloved"

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Released Apr 1968

The Monitors were a talented but commercially unsuccessful group that hailed from Detroit. The human action'due south first single was the sweetness soul ballad "Say You" on Motown's VIP banner, only the record suffered from poor publicity and a lack of radio play.

Pb singer Richard Street fronted the group. He spent time in another classic Detroit soul group, the Peps, and had gone to Northwestern High with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin of the Temptations. He'd proceed to spend nearly two decades in the Temptations later on Motown pulled the plug on the Monitors in 1968.

Over four years, Motown put out simply half dozen Monitors singles and one underwhelming LP. "Bring Back the Love" features stunning vocals and that trademark uptempo Motown crush. The delivery on the chorus just slays me: "Come dorsum, baby, come back. Girl, you know I need you/And I demand you here correct by my side."

This vocal narrowly got the telephone call, nudging out another sensational withal unheralded Monitors cut: "Fourth dimension Is Passing By" on Motown's Soul label.

Eddie Holland – "Leaving Hither"

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Released December 1963

This Detroit native was one third of the legendary Motown songwriting powerhouse of The netherlands-Dozier-Holland. But non many realize that he put out a few records of his own, including this cut telling his fellow gents that they're non treating women correct: "The dear of a adult female is a wonderful thing (Oh, yep)/Yeah, the way yous care for 'em is a crying shame (Oh, yes)."

This frantic piano-masher seems out of place on the Motown of 1963 — indeed, information technology seems out of place for a Motown song, period. Afterward all, the characterization was putting out songs like "You've Really Got a Hold On Me" by the Miracles and "My Guy" by Mary Wells around this time, notwithstanding "Leaving Here" is more than rock 'n' roll than it is soul. This hip-shaking ditty shows The netherlands was just as good in front of the mic every bit he was backside the soundboard. The Who and Motorhead are amid the bands that have covered it.

By 1964, however, it was clear that Holland's futurity laid in writing hits, not performing them.

He currently lives in Los Angeles and is an art collector. He teamed up with his blood brother Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier in recent years to interact on the Broadway musical "The First Wives Gild."

Marvin Gaye – "When I Had Your Love"

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Released January 1966

He was Motown's greatest, biggest male person solo star, whose influence inspired countless soul singers – and even Robin Thicke, apparently – or should I say allegedly? Unlike many of Motown's acts, Gaye was not a Detroit native, but he made the urban center his domicile later on establishing himself as a superstar. He was tragically shot and killed by his father on Apr 1, 1984, post-obit an argument.

This song is proof that y'all should always play both sides of a 45. "When I Had Your Love" was the B-side to "Ane More Heartache," withal for some reason never gets any dearest on compilations. Indeed, information technology never made it onto one of Gaye's total-length albums. Luckily, the A-side'southward success makes this one an piece of cake – and cheap – 45 to find, especially in metro Detroit tape shops.

Featuring a jangly, Siamese piano intro, stunning production, Gaye'south soaring vocals and an unusual start-and-stop meter, information technology's dissimilar whatsoever other Motown song of its era – despite being co-written by Smokey Robinson. Gaye sings about a love lost, reminiscing how "When I had your love, I was a king." This song is not just 1 of Motown'due south greatest unheralded ditties, it is among Gaye's most soulful performances.

The Miracles – "Whole Lot of Shakin' In My Eye (Since I Met You)"

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Released May 1966

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles might exist known for sweet soul ballads, but this ane is an absolute barn-burner. It'southward fast and frantic, with killer horns and an undeniable Funk Brothers groove. Robinson, of course, is one of Motown's near legendary performers, producers and songwriters — penning "My Guy," "Become Ready," "Have This Heart of Mine" and "I Second That Emotion," among many other hits.

In fact, the guy is and then Motown, he named his children for it — his son Berry is named after label founder Berry Gordy Jr; his girl is named Tamla, after the Motown imprint all of his songs were released on. While nevertheless a student at Northern High School, the Detroit native formed the grouping that would go the Miracles. He left the group in 1972 and went solo, and he nevertheless performs today.

Though "Whole Lot of Shakin' " reached No. 20 on Billboard'southward R&B charts, it stumbled – compared with other releases by the legendary group – on the popular charts, peaking at No. 46.

No dubiousness, Robinson was one of Motown'due south greatest songwriters, merely this single was the work of the underappreciated Frank Wilson (more than on him later). Smokey, in his trademark falsetto, sings of how a girl has rocked his world, starting the vocal with the great line "I can't explain the things you do to me, but I'm certain there's an explanation/Maybe it's the fashion you lot carry yourself, or perhaps information technology'southward your conversation."

Edwin Starr – "My Weakness is You"

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Released April 1968

Starr is best known for his massive No. i smash "War," but that was far from his best song. Indeed, Starr had already made quite a name for himself in Detroit before he even joined Motown, with his 1965 Acme Ten "Agent Double-O Soul" among his classic recordings.

Starr was born Charles Edwin Hatcher in Tennessee but raised in Cleveland. After a stint in the Ground forces, he toured as the featured vocalist for organist Bill Doggett and relocated to Detroit to record for the characterization Ric Tic, taking the stage proper name Edwin Starr, reportedly, after a manager told the fledgling singer that he'd be a star 1 day, and should call himself i. In 1968, Berry Gordy Jr. bought out Ric Tic and all its talent, so Starr found himself on Motown.

This vocal was the B-side of "I am the Human being for yous Baby," just the existent Motown magic lies on the flip side. With a pounding tribal drum intro giving way to an uptempo dancer with Starr singing about how a lovely woman has his number. "I said the next time you knocked on my door, I rehearsed and planned to send y'all away/But the words I apposite came out in reverse, instead of sending you away, I begged you to stay."

Starr died April 2, 2003, following a heart set on.

Chris Clark - "Beloved's Gone Bad"

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August 1966

Chris Clark was Motown's reply to Dusty Springfield. The 6-foot blonde from California traveled to Detroit in 1963 to audition for Motown. Berry Gordy Jr. signed the 17-yr-erstwhile, even though he had reservations nearly signing a white teenager in the turbulent '60s. Maybe that is why it took ii years before he released her first single, "Don't Exist Too Long," backed with the sultry 'north' funky "Do Correct, Baby, Practise Right," which showcased her soaring range. Gordy himself wrote "Practise Correct."

Merely her greatest cut was "Honey'southward Gone Bad," a Holland-Dozier-Holland-penned rocker. Fast-driving with fuzzy guitars, punctuated hand claps and shouting vocals, Clark sings about dearest lost: "Every time some love I choose, I seem to always be the one to lose/Bad taste in my mouth from bitter tears/Eye's feelin' lamentable, 'cause love's gone bad."

"Motown certainly tried, but they merely didn't know what to do with me," Clark told the Los Angeles Times in 2009. "I was merely a kid — I didn't have a persona locked in — and I was a tomboy, walking around barefoot, wearing leather fringe outfits to the flooring. Merely they were always trying to get me to glam upwards. I think they spent more coin to photo me than to record me."

Her beginning LP, 1967's "Soul Sounds," didn't sell well, but has go ane of the more than sought-later on Motown LPs. In November 1969, Gordy tried to reinvent Clark as a counter-civilization chanteuse with "CC Rides Over again," an album of by and large covers — the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Nilsson and others get the stoner-rock treatment — that was released on Motown's new label Weed. It bombed. And rightfully and then.

Clark dated Gordy, about ii decades her senior, and later became an executive with Motown. She likewise worked on the script for the 1972 Billie Holiday biopic "Lady Sings the Blues," which starred Diana Ross every bit the legendary vocalist. Clark went from being a musical creative person to a visual i, and her work depicting Motown stars is now touring with "Motown: The Musical" and on display at the Fisher Theatre.

You can read all about "Motown's keen white hope" in this story from the LA Times.

The Isley Brothers - "Why When Dearest is Gone"

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Released March 1968

The Isley Brothers are soul legends and one of the genre'south best-selling and longest-performing groups. The Cincinnati natives first cracked the big time with "Shout" in 1959.

Their biggest smashes happened both earlier and after their time with Motown — "Twist & Shout,""Information technology's Your Thing,""That Lady,""Between the Sheets" and countless others. "This Old Heart of Mine (is Weak for Yous)" was the boys' biggest hit with the Detroit label, coming in 1966.

Only this track sounds aught like whatsoever of those other hits. Loaded with fuzzed-out, psychedelic guitars, this rip-roaring monster was buried as the B-side to a recycled comprehend of "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)." Though non typical of the Motown Sound, "Why When Love is Gone" hinted at things to come up in music and features a stunning performance from Ronald Isley, his voice strained in frustration near "Why, when the honey is gone, why does my eye keep holdin' on?" Information technology was penned and produced by legendary Motown man Ivy Jo Hunter, co-writer of "Dancing in the Street."

The Marvelettes - "I'll Keep Belongings On"

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May 1965

The Marvelettes hold a weird spot in the history of Motown. On one hand, the ladies from Inkster had one of Motown'south kickoff smash hits, 1961's "Please, Mister Postman." And that'due south not even counting all of the other stellar singles the group recorded that charted, too: "Also Many Fish in the Bounding main,""Danger! Heartbreak Dead Ahead,""Don't Mess with Bill" and "Beechwood four-5789," among many others. Indeed, the group had some 35 releases for Motown.

Nonetheless the group is largely unheralded these days, seldom mentioned in the aforementioned breath as the Supremes, Four Tops, Temptations and Miracles. Unlike those groups, the Marvelettes are not in the Rock and Scroll Hall of Fame, though they are on this year's ballot. When longtime lead singer Gladys Horton died in Los Angeles in 2011 at age 66, in didn't generate much printing.

Wanda Immature, who later married Bobby Rogers of the Miracles, handles the vocal duties on this single, which peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. But the tune has largely been forgotten by all but the most devote soul enthusiasts.

The song is virtually a woman who refuses to give up on landing a certain boy. He tells his friends that he "tin't exist caught." No matter, she tells him, "When there's no place left to hide, I'll yet be by your side." All the while, she's singing, "Oh, yes. Sho 'nuff."

The vocal ends with this soulful threat: "No matter where you run, boy (I'll keep on property on)/No thing where you hibernate, male child (I'll keep on holding on)/Oh, you lot'll never go abroad, boy (I'll keep on belongings on)."

Information technology'southward really kind of a scary melody, when you think virtually it — a state of affairs that might lead to a restraining order today.

Doesn't mean information technology isn't a great vocal, though.

Brenda Holloway - "Just Look What You lot've Washed"

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Released April 1967

With a stunning vox and looks to lucifer, Holloway is ane of Motown's about underrated female person pb vocalists. Berry Gordy Jr. signed the 17-year-sometime California chanteuse in 1964 while attending a DJ convention in Los Angeles. Her outset song for Motown was her biggest, "Every Little Scrap Hurts."

In 1965, Holloway was the simply female singer to be part of the Beatles' North American tour. She performed in front of massive crowds from declension to declension, fifty-fifty playing the legendary Beatles show at Shea Stadium in New York on Aug. fourteen, 1965.

She married a minister and became a born-again Christian, leading her to leave the music concern at just age 22. Today, she is back on stage, performing at music festivals, mostly in Europe, where her records became massively popular on the Northern Soul scene in the tardily 1970s and early '80s.

Amidst them is this jaw-dropper of a dancer. This song has it all: strings, a human foot-stomping beat out, a center-stopping chorus, Holloway's soaring vocals and deft production past Frank Wilson (who co-wrote the tune).

And as many blast hits equally Motown had, there were a ton of tunes that went unreleased in the '60s. Here are five must-hears from the Motown vaults that you won't believe didn't hit the airwaves until recently:

Frank Wilson - "Do I Love You (Indeed I Practise)"

Nosotros've mentioned Wilson'south production skills a couple of times and so far. But Wilson likewise holds the honour of having written and performed the virtually expensive tape ever sold: "Do I Love Y'all (Indeed I Do)," which was auctioned in 2009 for $39,294 — for a single seven-inch record.

This outstanding, uptempo cut was pressed in 1965 but never released. After Wilson decided he'd rather produce and write songs than sing them, Drupe Gordy reportedly had them all destroyed. All, that is, except for the two copies known to survive. Too bad, because it has that classic sing-a-long Motown chorus, cute horns and one of James Jamerson's bang-up toe-tapping bass lines.

Wilson penned or was co-author on such hits as the Supremes' No. one "Love Child,""All I Demand" by the Temptations and Marvin Gaye'south "Chained." He produced Stevie Wonder's "Castles in the Sand," Eddie Kendricks' "Continue on Truckin' " and the Supremes' "Stoned Dear."

Wilson became a born-again Christian in 1974 and left Motown 2 years afterwards, condign a government minister. He died Sept 27, 2012, in California at historic period 71 from complications of a lung infection.

Tammi Terrell - "All I Practice Is Think Nearly Yous"

There are few stories in the annals of Motown more tragic than the story of Tammi Terrell.

The Philadelphia native is best-known for beingness Marvin Gaye's duet partner, but had several strong singles and an LP for Motown, and too was a touring redundancy singer for James Chocolate-brown. She was born Thomasina Montgomery and bankrupt into bear witness biz when she was only xi. By age 15, she had her first recording contract, with Scepter/Wand Records, and put out a pair of singles. In 1963, she enlisted in the James Brown Revue, though there were rumors that he driveling her. She quit the music business concern to study pre-med at the University of Philadelphia and married boxer Ernie Terrell.

But she kept singing on the side, and Drupe Gordy signed her to a recording deal, reportedly on her 20th birthday. Notwithstanding in her early 20s, Terrell constitute herself romantically involved with David Ruffin of the Temptations. Their relationship was marked by several instances of declared domestic violence. Terrell would go along to have four top 10 singles with Gaye, including the original version of "Own't No Mount High Enough,""Ain't Cipher Like the Real Thing" and "You're All I Need to Get Past."

She recorded this Stevie Wonder-penned song in 1966, but it never saw the light of 24-hour interval at fourth dimension. Wonder included his own version on 1980'due south "Hotter Than July," but Terrell's version is one of Motown's most spectacular and beautiful vocals. Ever.

Terrell had suffered from migraines since she was a teen, and in 1967, she collapsed on stage into Gaye's artillery. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Terrell fell into a comma in early 1970 and died March 16 of that yr. She was just 24 years old.

The Originals - "Suspicion"

Sounding nix like the grouping's trademark smooth and clean doo-wop sound, this song is easily among Motown'south greatest previously unreleased singles. The band included soul man Freddie Gorman — who co-wrote "Please, Mr. Postman" — and served as Motown's chief male person backing-vocal group, appearing on recordings for Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Jimmy Ruffin.

Its biggest hit was "Babe, I'grand for Real," co-written and produced by Marvin Gaye. But "Suspicion" is the all-time song the group e'er recorded, or certainly the near timeless and "Motown-y." It's unclear why Motown didn't release this Holland-Dozier-Holland-written masterpiece, as it just screams hit and the production is elevation-shelf. Perhaps information technology didn't fit enough with the residue of the grouping's catalog.

Kim Weston - "Y'all Hit Me Where It Hurt Me"

Weston might merely be the queen of unreleased Motown. Though she had some undeniable winners with "I'm Notwithstanding Loving Y'all,""Have Me In Your Artillery (Rock Me a Little While)" and "Helpless," Weston'southward best cuts were kept locked away for decades. She as well achieved fame for her duets with Marvin Gaye, including the legendary "It Takes Two," released shortly before she jumped Motown send in 1967 for MGM Records.

Still, this song ranks amongst the Detroit native's all-time greatest performances. "You finally caught me cheating on y'all," she sings, as she tells the story about how her man got revenge for her adultery. The songs was recorded and released by Alice Clark, who did a dandy rendition very true to Weston's version.

Weston is one of the few stars to bask a long career after leaving Motown. She is known for her recording of "Lift Every Vocalism and Sing," known popularly as the Black National Anthem. Weston was recently spotted in Detroit helping an effort to create an R&B Hall of Fame in the metropolis.

Marvin Gaye - "This Beloved Starved Heart of Mine (It'due south Killing Me)"

Gaye had most 100 releases for Motown, but even he had amazing cuts left in the vaults. This ane didn't become released until the mid-1990s. Why? Who knows, though information technology is arguably more "Northern soul" than "Motown," and doesn't fit the Gaye catalog from this time in his career.

Yet information technology is ane of his nearly ballsy recordings, with spectacular strings and a difficult-charging beat powered by a thunderous, chugging bass line. Topping it all off is Gaye's pleading trademark vocals. "You know without your lovin', my life has no use." Clearly, Marvin wasn't "too proud to beg."

At the ane:47 mark there'south this goosebump-inducing moment where Gaye says, "Do, oh! Go ahead, do it, baby."

Dan Austin, the Free Press' assistant editor for stance, runs the Motor Urban center Soul Order with Brad Hales of Peoples Records in Detroit. For more than information on their DJ night engagements, go to world wide web.facebook.com/motorcitysoulclub or listen to recordings of their live gigs at world wide web.mixcloud.com/motorcitysoulclub.

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Source: https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/10/23/motown-playlist/17705513/

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