ILM Artist Poll #38 • TAMLA/MOTOWN SINGLES: THE RESULTS

http://i.imgur.com/z61ePQg.jpg

The most important building in Detroit?

woohoo!

Many thank yous upfront to both a hoy hoy (who conducted the voting) and clemenza (who tabulated the ballots). We got 22 ballots I think? Unless more came in early in the week. I'll be counting down the top 60 results of that voting. 20 today, 20 tomorrow and 20 on Friday.

Also, here is a Spotify playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/mondosalvo/playlist/3E6ifKATKc2SWGkRjA8ekB

So let's begin...

http://i.imgur.com/WBpfXm1.jpg

60. THE SUPREMES "I Hear a Symphony" (1965) [48 points, 5 votes]

I always kind of skimmed over this one in the array of amazing Supremes singles, but good job voters. This really is wonderful.

Yes! For a moment I was worried because I didn't remember voting for this, but I was indeed one of the five.

http://i.imgur.com/1anWkF1.jpg

59. STEVIE WONDER "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" (1973) [49 points, 3 votes]

ok, poll is already worth it for the pics

http://i.imgur.com/ClZdlp5.jpg

TIE-57. FOUR TOPS "Still Water (Love)" (1970) [49 points, 5 votes]

That's a great font, JF...There were 26 ballots in the end.

There are two songs in the Top 60 I don't think I've ever heard, and this is one of them. I have the greatest hits LP for the Four Tops, not the anthology, so it stops mid-'60s.

I don't know this track either.

http://i.imgur.com/Gs6LZ5t.jpg

TIE-57. STEVIE WONDER "Living for the City" (1973) [49 points, 5 votes]

Is everybody still asleep?

: /

http://i.imgur.com/1P7yZ6z.jpg

56. COMMODORES "Easy" (1977) [51 points, 5 votes]

I'm genuinely ;_; I couldn't whip together a ballot. This was way too intimidating.

I was daunting, sure, but once I began the process it was actually easier than I expected it to be. Had no problem really settling on a favorite 50.

*It was

So far, so great. Like it couldn't be. Can't imagine this poll will incite much controversy during the rollout, a la "Deeper and Deeper" at #3 on the Mads poll.

I did put in a ten-tracker (which I hope you got) but was similarly intimidated plus slain for time. But I've already facepalmed three times at what's placed and been omitted by me.

http://i.imgur.com/aQqSFLL.jpg

55. MARVIN GAYE "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (1971) [51 points, 6 votes]

Four times. I mean hell, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing was no.2 on my 20th century ballot, but I didn't even consider it for this poll.

Hurrah for 'Still Water' making the Top 60, though here's an example of where I was voting for the A and B side as an item (which I think was a hoy hoy's original concept for this poll at one point).

I only voted for 1 Stevie Wonder single (something I negligently omitted from my ballot for the Stevie artist poll) and no Jacksons. Wanted to give some other artists a chance here.

I didn't vote in this, but I can't wait to see what 55 songs are better than both "Livin' For The City" and "Mercy, Mercy Me."

http://i.imgur.com/Q8nVT5f.jpg

54. THE MIRACLES "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962) [51 points, 9 votes]

I mostly stuck to the 1992 box contents for my ballot (which, in the face of "Living for the City," I now realize was a stupid thing to do), but yeah, this was insanely daunting.

It would've been near impossible for me not to vote for a lot of Stevie, and I'm sort of glad to see other artists get their due, too.

I said on the other thread that one of the things I realized while putting together my ballot is that I don't really place Stevie in as high esteem as I would have thought (or as he probably deserves). Ended up tossing him one token vote, though the track itself hasn't come up yet.

http://i.imgur.com/MshBJdu.jpg

53. DAVID RUFFIN "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" (1969) [54 points, 3 votes]

Only three votes, but everyone had it pretty high (#17 on mine)--it finished ahead of songs with 8-9-10 votes (partly a quirk of hoy hoy's scoring system).

It was my #2 (or #3).

It was my #7.

http://i.imgur.com/JhBTgFq.jpg

52. STEVIE WONDER "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" (1970) [54 points, 7 votes, 1 first place vote]

crazy how many songs are already showing up that feel like top 10 material

Yeah, this thing is definitely stacked.

Only one listed so far that I picked as a lock for the top 10 was "You've Really Got A Hold On Me." Guess not.

I think you'd have to have gone to a top 200 for it to get to the material outside the top 10.

Stevie just got one vote from me as well. Turns out I have more affection for his albums than his singles (and my ballot was mostly 60s orientated anyway)

http://i.imgur.com/6XobE6c.jpg

51. THE TEMPTATIONS "Get Ready" (1966) [55 points, 10 votes]

Fi Fi Fo Fum, Look Out Baby! 'Cos Here I Come!

omg I missed the beginning

yay this is so exciting

Sometimes when you've heard a song a thousand times, you're lucky enough to hear it again like it was the very first. Get Ready is a fucking BEAST!

Signed Sealed Deliver is such a favorite -- it hits SO hard right out of the gate, and Stevie just gives it everything he's got...I can't ever hear that song enough imo

Get Ready is awesome

so many songs here already that I didn't vote for that I should have -- wealth of riches in the motown catalog

any list with Get Ready at 51 is going to be amazing

http://i.imgur.com/dFMhFqJ.jpg

50. JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS "Shotgun" (1965) [56 points, 4 votes]

Color change! Nice.

I wonder how many different songs got votes.

Clemenza would probably know.

omg shotgun has one of the best openings -- that sax wails

Shotgun has always struck me as more of a southern/Stax kind of single than one made for Motown. But who cares...it exists! And the world is a better place because of it.

http://i.imgur.com/f6VvQco.jpg

49. THE SUPREMES "You Can't Hurry Love" (1966) [56 points, 7 votes]

Got that right at least. Kim Weston wants a recount!

two Marvin Gaye hits I can't believe didn't place: Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) and Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - It Takes Two

Yeah, those are some pretty great songs. A Motown top 60 could actually consist of a pool of about 250 songs, perhaps more. It just depends on the voters and the day they vote.

Excellent images, JF. They all make me think of Blue Velvet: "Goddamn, you're one suave fucker."

1. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – Way Over There (30)
2. Stevie Wonder – If You Really Love Me (25)
3. Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There (24)
4. Undisputed Truth – Smiling Faces Sometimes (23)
5. Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) (22)
6. Jr. Walker & the All Stars – What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) (21)
7. Diana Ross & the Supremes – Reflections (20)
8. Linda Griner – Goodbye Cruel World (19)
9. Martha & the Vandellas – Wild One (18)
10. Marvin Gaye – Ain’t That Peculiar (17)

11. Temptations – Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) (16)
12. Brenda Holloway – Land of a Thousand Boys (15)
13. Stevie Wonder – Ma Cherie Amour (14)
14. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – A Fork in the Road (13)
15. Velvelettes – Think of the Times (12)
16. Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (11)
17. David Ruffin – My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) (10)
18. Martha & the Vandellas – Nowhere to Run (9)
19. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – Ooo Baby Baby (8)
20. Supremes – Your Heart Belongs to Me (7)
21. Stevie Wonder – Uptight (Everything’s Alright) (6)
22. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – The Tears of a Clown (5)
23. Martha & the Vandellas – Dancing in the Street (4)
24. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (3)
25. Supremes – Where Did Our Love Go (2)

26. Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye – My Mistake (1)
27. Marvin Gaye – I’ll Be Doggone (1)
28. Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way (1)
29. Temptations – Since I Lost My Baby (1)
30. Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers – Does Your Mama Know About Me (1)
31. Four Tops – Baby I Need Your Loving (1)
32. Mary Wells – What Love Has Joined Together (1)
33. Dynamic Superiors – Shoe Shoe Shine (1)
34. Marvelettes – Don’t Mess with Bill (1)
35. Mynah Byrds – It’s My Time (1)

My ballot (DNP in bold)

1. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – You’re All I Need to Get By
2. The Temptations – Ball of Confusion
3. Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons – The Night
4. Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
5. The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
6. Stevie Wonder – Superstition
7. The Four Tops – Bernadette
8. The Isley Brothers – This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)
9. Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through the Grapevine
10. The Temptations – Cloud Nine
11. Diana Ross & the Supremes – You Keep Me Hangin’ On
12. Stevie Wonder – Living for the City
13. Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way
14. The Temptations – Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
15. The Four Tops – Reach Out, I’ll Be There
16. Diana Ross & the Supremes – My World Is Empty Without You
17. The Temptations – (I Know) I’m Losing You
18. Stevie Wonder - As
19. Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out
20. Carl Bean – I Was Born This Way
21. Marvin Gaye – Got to Give It Up
22. The Jackson 5 – Maybe Tomorrow
23. Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered
24. Martha & the Vandellas – Nowhere to Run
25. The Temptations – I Wish It Would Rain
26. Stevie Wonder – You Haven’t Done Nothin’
27. Diana Ross – Upside Down
28. Stevie Wonder – Higher Ground
29. The Undisputed Truth – Smiling Faces Sometimes
30. Marvin Gaye – Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
31. Edwin Starr – War
32. Diana Ross & the Supremes – Love Child
33. Stevie Wonder – Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
34. Marvin Gaye – I Want You
35. Martha & the Vandellas – Dancing in the Street
36. The Marvelettes – The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game
37. The Spinners – Message From a Black Man
38. Lionel Richie – All Night Long (All Night)
39. Stevie Wonder – For Once in My Life
40. R Dean Taylor – There’s a Ghost in My House
41. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – Tears of a Clown
42. Martha & the Vandellas – I Can’t Dance to That Music You’re Playing
43. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
44. Smokey Robinson – Just My Soul Responding
45. The Temptations – Law of the Land
46. Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes of the Broken Hearted
47. Rare Earth – Get Ready
48. Rita Wright – I Can’t Give Back the Love I Feel for You
49. The Supremes – Automatically Sunshine
50. Eddie Kendricks – Girl You Need a Change of Mind

1. Martha and the Vandellas - (Love Is Like a) Heat Wave
2. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine
3. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tracks of My Tears
4. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Love I Saw In You Was Just a Mirage
5. The Isley Brothers - My Love Is Your Love (Forever)
6. Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
7. The Four Tops - Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
8. The Temptations - Just My Imagination
9. Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
10. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
11. Brenda Holloway - Every Little Bit Hurts
12. The Supremes - I Hear A Symphony
13. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - You've Really Got A Hold On Me
14. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terell - You're All I Need To Get By
15. Michael Jackson - We've Got A Good Thing Going
16. Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour
17. The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You
18. The Temptation - My Girl
19. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go?
20. The Temptations - Ball of Confusion
21 . The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain
22. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Don't Blame You At All
23. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Second That Emotion
24. The Temptations - You're My Everything
25. Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are

1. Heatwave - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
2. My World Is Empty Without You - The Supremes
3. You Keep Me Hangin' On - The Supremes
4. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
5. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
6. Come See About Me - The Supremes
7. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
8. Please Mr Postman - The Marvelettes
9. You're All I Need To Get By - Tammi Terrell
10. Darling Dear - Smokey Robinson

you're a man of good taste Klata

LOL, if "I Want You Back" is the Kane and "Grapevine" is the Vertigo, then yes, this eerily aligns with my excitement over last year's S&S results.

Brilliant job everybody!

1. The Miracles - I Second That Emotion
2. The Temptations - My Girl
3. The Miracles - Tracks of My Tears
4. The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg
5. Martha and the Vandellas - Heat Wave
6. The Jackson Five - The Love You Save
7. The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
8. Mary Wells - My Guy
9. The Miracles - Tears of a Clown
10. The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game
11. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
12. The Four Tops - Bernadette
13. The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
14. The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving
15. The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
16. The Four Tops - Walk Away Renee
17. The Jackson Five - I Want You Back
18. The Supremes - Back in My Arms Again
19. Martha and the Vandellas - Honey Chile
20. The Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There
21. Martha and the Vandellas - Quicksand
22. Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
23. Mary Wells - The One Who Really Loves You
24. The Temptations - Since I Lost My Baby
25. Stevie Wonder - I Was Made to Love Her

26-50 (not ranked)
Martha and the Vandellas - I'm Ready for Love
The Elgins - Darling Baby
The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart of Mine
The Miracles - If You Can Want
The Marvelettes - Strange I Know
The Marvelettes - Forever
The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
The Marvelettes - My Baby Must Be a Magician
Mary Wells - Whisper You Love Me Boy
Mary Wells - You Beat Me to the Punch
The Supremes - Nothing But Heartaches
The Supremes - Stop in the Name of Love
The Supremes - You Belong to Me
The Temptations - The Way You Do the Things You Do
Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Stevie Wonder - Uptight (Everything's Alright)
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (Jammin')
The Four Tops - Standing in the Shadows of Love
The Four Tops - 7 Rooms of Gloom
The Four Tops - It's the Same Old Song
Jr. Walker and the All Stars - What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)
R. Dean Taylor - Gotta See Jane
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way

Even though I shouted it out in the discussion thread, I totally forgot to vote for the Mynah Birds "It's My Time" - I was working from a list that showed Motown singles by the year up to 1988, and it wasn't listed since it was only recently issued on a 45rpm single, so it slipped my mind. I'd put it at about #15.

This has been fun. Super thanks to Phil for stepping in and the great countdown.
I'll do a top 10 and a DNP. I definitely skew towards the H/D/H era. The Supremes did fine, and California Soul is more of a personal favorite, but probably should have vote-stuffed the Weston songs!

1 I Heard It Through The Grapevine-Marvin Gaye
2 Reflections-Supremes
3 (I Know) I'm Losing You-The Temptations
4 The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles
5 Nowhere To Run-Martha
6 Reach Out (I'll Be There)-The Four Tops
7 What Becomes of the Brokenhearted Jimmy Ruffin
8 Tears of a Clown-Smokey Robinson
9 Back In My Arms Again Supremes
10 California Soul-Gaye & Terrell

DNP
9 Back In My Arms Again Supremes
10 California Soul-Gaye & Terrell
11 ABC-The Jackson 5
13 Someday We’ll Be Together-The Supremes
20 Uptight-Steve Wonder
22 I'm a Road Runner Junior Walker
23 Come See About Me Supremes
26 It's The Same Old Song-Four Tops
29 Jimmy Mack-Martha & the Vandellas
34 Take Me In Your Arms-Kim Weston
36 It Takes Two Gaye & Weston
41 For Once in My Life-Stevie Wonder
43 Don'T mess With Bill-Marvelettes
44 Two Can Have A Party-Gaye & Terrell
46 Ask The Lonely - Four Tops
48 My World Is Empty Without You - The Supremes
50 Heaven Must Have Sent You - The Elgins

Glad to see all the love for the Elgins - they always seem to be forgotten

1.The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman
2.The Contours – Do You Love Me?
3.Stevie Wonder – Superstition
4.The Isley Brothers – I Guess I’ll Always Love You
5.The Temptations – Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
6.The Supremes – Where Did Our Love Go?
7.Marvin Gaye – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
8.The Adantes – Like A Nightmare
9.Marvin Gaye – One More Heartache
10.The Marvelettes – I Need Someone
11.Stevie Wonder – Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
12.The Temptations – Fading Away
13.Gladys Knight & The Pips – I Wish It Would Rain
14.Barrett Strong – “Money (That’s What I Want)”
15.Mary Wells – My Guy
16.Rick James – Superfreak Part I
17.Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – (We’ve Got) Honey Love
18.David Ruffin – I’m So Glad I Fell For You
19.The Miracles – Mickey’s Monkey
20.Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours
21.Gladys Knight & The Pips – Don’t Let Her Take Your Love From Me
22.The Four Tops – You Keep Running Away
23.The Temptations – I Can’t Get Next To You
24.The Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
25.Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
26.Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Tears Of A Clown
27.LaBrenda Ben & The Beljeans – The Camel Walk
28.Rick James – Give It To Me Baby
29.Dazz Band – Let It Whip
30.Stevie Wonder – Living For The City
31.The Supremes – Come See About Me
32.Diana Ross & The Supremes – In And Out Of Love
33.Eddie Holland – Leaving Here
34.The Jackson 5 – ABC
35.Martha & The Vandellas – Dancing In The Street
36.Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
37.The Temptations – Ball of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)
38.Marvin Gaye – Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
39.Stevie Wonder – Fingertips, Part 2
40.The Marvelettes – The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
41.The Supremes – Stop! In The Name of Love
42.David Ruffin – I’ve Got To Find Myself A Brand New Baby
43.The Temptations – Get Ready
44.The Miracles – I Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying
45.The Marvelettes – My Baby Must Be A Magician
46.Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – Darling, I Hum Our Song
47.The Temptations – The Way You Do The Things You Do
48.Marv Johnson – I Miss You Baby (How I Miss You)
49.Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
50.The Isley Brothers – Just Ain’t Enough Love

favorite artists/bands:

1. The Marvelettes
2. The Temptations
3. Marvin Gaye
4. Stevie Wonder
5. The Four Tops

i put a lot of obscure stuff on my ballot, but it's still staggering how many stone classics i had to put in bold there.

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need to Get By
Commodores - Nightshift
Edwin Starr - War
The Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There
Marvin Gaye - Heavy Love Affair*
The Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You
David Ruffin - My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
The Temptations - Papa Was a Rolling Stone
Syreeta - I Love Every Little Thing About You*
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out*
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears of a Clown
The Temptations - My Girl
Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)*
The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancing in the Street
Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way
The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Eddie Kendricks - Girl You Need a Change of Mind
The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving
Dazz Band - Let It Whip*
Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious*
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me*
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - The Night
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
The Temptations - Ball of Confusion*
The Marvelettes - I'll Keep Holding On*
The Supremes - Come See About Me*
Diana Ross - Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)*
Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want)
The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
Mary Wells - Strange Love*
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine
The Temptations - Get Ready
David Ruffin - I Can't Stop the Rain*
Diana Ross - Love Hangover
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Heatwave
Stevie Wonder - You Are the Sunshine of My Life*
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Your Precious Love*
The Marvelettes - After All*
Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me*
Marvin Gaye - Ego Tripping Out*
The Four Tops - Bernadette
The Supremes - Stop! In the Name of Love
Rick James - Give It to Me Baby*
The Temptations - Psychedelic Shack*
The Miracles - You've Really Got a Hold on Me

Heavy Love Affair is getting slept on by everybody who appreciates good basslines.

We clearly need a separate Marvin Gaye poll.... (and perhaps a Supremes/Diana Roas poll and a Smokey Robinson/Miracles poll too. And maybe Temptations. And Four Tops. And.....)

Incidentally, I was conscious not to stiff Stevie Wonder because he'd already been polled, and had three Wonder tracks in my top 25 (and four altogether).

awesome graphics johnny fever :)

staggered that "Ball of Confusion" didn't place; kids growin up too soon

ace poll! long Diana version of Ain't No Mountain (the 6 mins plus one) might be my favourite soul/funk song of all time, baffled that it didn't get much love.

Craziest talk?? The Inner Life cover of 'Ain't No Mountain...' is streets ahead of the others xxp

― ewar woowar (or something), Monday, July 29, 2013 5:20 PM (6 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

OTM. Even crazier talk: The Diana Ross cover of "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" (esp. the long version) is better than the Four Tops version.

My ballot (DNP in bold):

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Eddie Kendricks - Girl You Need a Change of Mind
Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
The Miracles - Tracks of my Tears
Diana Ross - Love Hangover
Marvin Gaye - I Heard it Through the Grapevine
The Undisputed Truth - What it is
The Temptations - Get Ready
Diana Ross - Reach Out, I'll Be There
Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious
Marvin Gaye - You
The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You
Diana Ross - Upside Down
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Thelma Houston - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
The Supremes - Love is Like an Itching in my Heart
The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game
Martha and the Vandellas - Heat Wave
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - I Second That Emotion
Marv Johnson - I Miss You Baby (How I Miss You)
The Temptations - I Can't Get Next To You
Gladys Knight and the Pips - You Need Love Like I Do (Don't You?)
Jackson 5 - I am Love
Syreeta - Spinnin' and Spinnin'
Carl Bean - I Was Born This Way

Gary Byrd and the GB Experience - The Crown
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - The Night
Commodores - Nightshift
Jackson 5 - Maybe Tomorrow
Mandre - Solar Flight (Opus I)
Tammi Terrell - I Can't Believe You Love Me
Gordon Staples and the Motown Strings - Strung Out
Martha & the Vandellas - Nowhere to Run
R Dean Taylor - There's a Ghost in My House
Syreeta - I Love Every Little Thing About You
The Temptations - Cloud Nine
Marvin Gaye - A Funky Space Reincarnation
Caston and Majors - I'll Keep My Light in My Window
Eddie Holland - You Deserve What You Got
The Dazz Band - Let It Whip
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - California Soul
Four Tops - Still Water (Love)
Smokey Robinson - Baby That's Backatcha
Jr Walker and the All Stars - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
Jackson 5 - The Life of a Party
Four Tops - Standing in the Shadows of Love
The Supremes - High Energy
Odyssey - Our Lives Are Shaped by What We Love
The Contours - Whole Lotta Woman
Stevie Wonder - Superstition

1. - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing
2. - Martha & The Vandellas - Heat Wave
3. - Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby
4. - Barrett Strong - Money (That’s What I Want)
5. - Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers - Does Your Mama Know About Me
6. - Edwin Starr - War
7. - Jr. Walker & The All Stars - Shotgun
8. - Temptations - Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
9. - Contours - Do You Love Me
10. - Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up (Pt. I)
11. - Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
12. - Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving
13. - Miracles - Going To A Go-Go
14. - Stevie Wonder - If You Really Love Me
15. - Rick James - Super Freak (Part I)
16. - Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone
17. - Rare Earth - Get Ready
18. - Spinners - It’s A Shame
19. - Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
20. - Stevie Wonder - You Haven’t Done Nothin’
21. - Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love
22. - Diana Ross & The Supremes - Someday We’ll Be Together
23. - Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
24. - Mary Wells - My Guy
25. - Blue Scepter - Gypsy Eyes
26. - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears Of A Clown
27. - Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes
28. - Michael Jackson - Got To Be There
29. - Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
30. - Commodores - Brick House
31. - Dan The Banjo Man - Londonderry
32. - Diana Ross & The Supremes - Love Child
33. - Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There
34. - Four Tops - Walk Away Renee
35. - Gladys Knight & The Pips - If I Were Your Woman
36. - Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye
37. - Jackson 5 - ABC
38. - Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
39. - Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
40. - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
41. - Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears
42. - Miracles - Shop Around
43. - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Second That Emotion
44. - Stevie Wonder - Superstition
45. - Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
46. - Temptations - I Need Your Lovin'
47. - Temptations - Psychedelic Shack
48. - Isley Brothers - Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)
49. - Bobby Darin - Sail Away
50. - Gladys Knight & the Pips - I Heard It Through the Grapevine

I wish I'd put the Vancouvers at #1 now. The big hits didn't need the help.

So a lot of my list didn't place but that's okay as it's all good. Pretty sure I'm the only one that voted for my number two, that song is crazy and truly amazing. I would have liked to see some Syreeta in the list but not surprised she was left out.

1. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - The Night
2. Commodores - The Zoo (Human Zoo)
3. The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
4. The Four Tops - 7-Rooms of Gloom
5. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
6. Syreeta - I'm Goin' Left
7. Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
8. Diana Ross - My Old Piano
9. Commodores - Easy
10. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - I'm Ready For Love
11. The Marvelettes - Destination Anywhere
12. The Four Tops - Still Water (Love)
13. The Supremes - Love Child
14. Gladys Knight & The Pips - Just Walk In My Shoes
15. Marvin Gaye - One More Heartache
16. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Point It Out
17. The Temptations - Mother Nature
18. The Four Tops - Bernadette
19. Syreeta - Spinnin & Spinnin
20. The Four Tops - (It's The Way) Nature Planned It
21. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - If You Can Want
22. The Marvelettes - My Baby Must Be a Magician
23. The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You
24. Eddie Kendricks - If You Let Me
25. Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
26. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - In My Lonely Room
27. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - (Love Is Like a) Heatwave
28. Syreeta - To Know You is to Love You
29. Eddie Kendricks - The Thin Man
30. The Miracles - Love Machine
31. The Supremes - No Matter What Sign You Are
32. The Isley Brothers - Behind a Painted Smile
33. Smokey Robinson - Just My Soul Responding
34. Stevie Wonder - He's Misstra Know It All
35. Stevie Wonder - Another Star
36. Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me
37. Smokey Robinson - Quiet Storm
38. The Supremes - Forever Came Today
39. The Jackson 5 - Lookin' Through The Windows
40. The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
41. Eddie Kendricks - Shoeshine Boy
42. The Temptations - Get Ready
43. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
44. Marvin Gaye - Heavy Love Affair
45. Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'
46. Stevie Wonder - Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)
47. The Jackson 5 - Maybe Tomorrow
48. Jimmy Ruffin - Farewell Is a Lonely Sound
49. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - More Love
50. Commodores - Brick House

Thanks to everyone who put this together.

Yeah, I meant to say -- thank you to the AHH/Clem/Fever tag team for running this one!

I'm sitting outside a Starbucks reading this thread as suddenly "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" starts blaring thru the outdoor speakers. Yeah, this is #1 vote material for sure....

I admit it - the California Raisins may be half-responsible for my lifelong love of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," but I'm sure they aren't the reason Marvin Gaye is my favorite singer in the whole world. You know all those Motown anthologies? I have a bunch of them, and Marvin's eats the others for breakfast.

I'm pleasantly surprised that "Grapevine" won and Gaye dominated the results. And "Heat Wave" made top 3. Shit, it's enough to make you shed a tear for Detroit. Not enough Supremes in the top half of the poll, but the best stuff won - sorry for the Dave Marsh hyperbole, but we'd all be poorer for not having heard any one of the songs in the top 10.

1) Marvin Gaye - I Heard it Through the Grapevine
2) The Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There
3) The Supremes - Stop in the Name of Love
4) Martha & the Vandellas - Heat Wave
5) Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
6) Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
7) The Temptations - Papa Was a Rolling Stone
8) The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
9) Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar
10) Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Your Precious Love
11) The Temptations - All I Need
12) The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
13) Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - The Tears of A Clown
14) The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
15) The Supremes - Come See About Me
16) Stevie Wonder - As
17) Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour
18) The Jackson 5 - I'll Be There
19) The Four Tops - Bernadette
20) The Supremes - Back in My Arms Again
21) Marvin Gaye - Come Get to This
22) Teena Marie - Square Biz
23) Stevie Wonder - I Was Made to Love Her
24) Martha & the Vandellas - Nowhere to Run
25) The Supremes - Reflections
26) Stevie Wonder - If You Really Love Me
27) Stevie Wonder - Living for the City
28) Marvin Gaye - Praise
29) Diana Ross - Upside Down
30) The Spinners - It's A Shame
31) The Supremes - Love Child
32) The Temptations - The Way You Do the Things You Do
33) The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
34) Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
35) Marvin Gaye - Got to Give It Up
36) Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me
37) Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - I Second That Emotion
38) Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - You've Really Got A Hold On Me
39) Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby
40) Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - More Love
41) The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You
42) The Four Tops - Still Water (Love)
43) Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
44) Stevie Wonder - Never Had a Dream Come True
45) The Temptations - Just My Imagination
46) Stevie Wonder - Overjoyed
47) Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues
48) Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
49) The Four Tops - I'm in a Different World
50) The Jackson 5 - Maybe Tomorrow

Favorite singles artists:
1) Marvin Gaye
2) The Supremes
3) Stevie Wonder
4) The Four Tops
5) Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

I'm amazed at how many of the songs I voted for didn't place - I thought my picks were kind of obvious - and how great the results were even so. Well done, ILM.

wow & Papa Was a Rolling Stone didn't place either? amazing

It was number 11

Clemenza, any chance you could post a googledoc spreadsheet of the full results? Sorry if you've answered this upthread.

My ballot. Flip side of the single mentioned where I thought it significant in terms of inclusion/placement.

01. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
02. The Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby
03. The Isley Brothers - Behind A Painted Smile <--most shocked by its non-placement in top 60
04. Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
05. The Undisputed Truth - Ball Of Confusion
06. The Commodores - Sail On
07. Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up, Pts 1 & 2
08. The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
09. Marvin Gaye - Trouble Man
10. Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
11. Marvin Gaye - Abraham, Martin And John
12. The Undisputed Truth - UFO's
13. Gladys Knight & The Pips - Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me
14. The Temptations - Cloud Nine
15. The Temptations - Get Ready
16. The Miracles - Love Machine, Pts 1 & 2
17. The Four Tops - Still Water (Love) / Still Water (Peace)
18. The Four Tops - Bernadette
19. Stevie Wonder - Boogie On Reggae Woman
20. The Miracles - Shop Around / Who's Lovin' You
21. The Velvelettes - Needle in a Haystack
22. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - I Can't Dance To The Music You're Playing
23. Junior Walker & The All Stars - Walk In The Night
24. Syreeta - I Love Every Little Thing About You
25. The Commodores - Nightshift

26-50 (unranked)
The Miracles - You've Really Got a Hold on Me
The Miracles - Going to A Go-Go / Choosey Beggar
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Second That Emotion
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Point It Out
Martha & The Vandellas - (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave
Martha & The Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - The Onion Song
The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
The Four Tops - Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
Diana Ross & The Supremes - Reflections
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - My Mistake (Was to Love You)
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - You Are Everything
The Temptations - Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes
Syreeta - Your Kiss Is Sweet
Edwin Starr - War
Gladys Knight & The Pips - Didn't You Know (You'd Have to Cry Sometime)
The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
The Commodores - Brick House
The Commodores - Easy
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - The Night
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way

my anti-canonical 70s/80s weighted ballot was all just so much pissing in the wind in the end.

1. running with the night - lionel ritchie
2. girl you need a change of mind - eddie kendricks
3. bernadette - the four tops
4. nightshift - the commodores
5. love hangover - diana ross
6. i want you - marvin gaye
7. superstition - stevie wonder
8. the night - frankie valli
9. one day in your life - michael jackson
10. rhythm of the night - debarge
11. until you come back to me - stevie wonder
12. going up in smoke - eddie kendricks
13. get ready - the temptations
14. ain't no sushine - michael jackson
15. you're all i need to get by - marvin & tammi
16. you can't hurry love - the supremes
17. real love - debarge
18. when did you stop loving me... - marvin gaye
19. a funky space reincarnation - marvin gaye
20. brothers gonna work it out - willie hutch
21. let me tickle your fancy - jermaine jackson
22. behind the groove - teena marie
23. golden lady - stevie wonder
24. ain't no mountain...- marvin & tammi
25. all night long - mary jane girls
26. needle in a haystack - velvelettes
27. tears of a clown - smokey robinso
28. as - stevie wonder
29. all i do -stevie wonder
30. don't look any further - dennis edwards
31. i heard it through the grapevine - marvin gaye
32. don't leave me this way - thelma houston
33. smiling faces sometimes - the undisputed truth
34. let's get serious - jermaine jackson
35. what's going on - marvin gaye
36. got to be there - michael jackon
37. upside down - diana ross
38. my old piano - diana ross
39. got to give it up - marvin gaye
40. superfreak - rick james
41. with you i'm born again - billy preston & syreeta
42. the boss - diana ross
43. let's get it on - marvin gaye
44. too busy thinking.. - marvin gaye
45. mechanical eotion - vanity
46. solar flight - mandre
47. i want you back - the jacksons
48. rub you the right way - jonny gill
49. i was born this way - carl bean
50. high energy - the supremes

12. going up in smoke - eddie kendricks

One of the omissions that most makes me wish I'd managed to get a ballot in. Oh well, there's always the disco poll.

if you vote for it in that, i'll vote for it in that. definitely deserves some love.

I'm sure I'll find room. Hoping those ballots will be open to 50, too. At least.

WC: I don't know if this will work, but give it a try:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7SjjGanCdBAMWUwTFRpMFlNYWs/edit?usp=sharing

If it opens for you, you can get all the titles and most of the spreadsheet--the last few columns are cut off, and the songs aren't numbered.

Hmm, it shows a filename but otherwise a blank screen.

I see it. There's a few tracks with 8, 9, 10 votes didn't make it.

(xpost) I'll try to figure it out...anyway, I went to your ballot and e-mailed you a copy of the spreadsheet.

ah, I had to be signed in to my acct; I see it now

xp

Did Linda Griner have a song called "Goodbye Cruel Love" and "Goodbye Cruel World", or are they the same song? Both got votes, the former from me.

That's funny...I was the "Goodbye Cruel World" voter--I even have that it labelled that way on my media player. I played it on the radio a couple of times a few years ago and called it that, and listed it on the station playlists as that. I have it on a CD I burned of rare Detroit stuff and called it that on the cover insert.

Oops.

Just been researching this - actually, Motown themselves made the same mistake! (which may be the source of the confusion) - some of the white-label not-for-sale DJ promos were mislabeled "Good-By Cruel World". It was corrected for the regular release.

By any name, this was one of the obscurities I was sure I'd be the only vote for.

http://www.popsike.com/pix/20050320/4712219829.jpg

http://mobile.collectorsfrenzy.com/gallery/280431121275.jpg

Timely coincidence: http://www.avclub.com/articles/can-a-song-truly-define-an-era%2C100902/

NEED THE FULL RESULTS JF ALSO A SPOTIFY HURRY HURRY

clemenza posted full results earlier -- https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7SjjGanCdBAMWUwTFRpMFlNYWs/edit?usp=sharing

o ok thx maybe i'll put together a full spotify

"Heaven Must Have Sent You" was 61st :(

This was my ballot for the side polls:

ALBUMS

Eddie Kendricks - People...Hold On
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Marvin Gaye - Here My Dear
Syreeta - Stevie Wonder Presents...
The Undisputed Truth - Face to Face with the Truth

COVERS

Inner Life - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
New York Community Choir - I'll Keep My Light In My Window
Horace Andy - Love Hangover
Marlena Shaw - California Soul
Margie Joseph - Stop! In the Name of Love

WORST SONGS

The Supremes - Baby Love
Charlene - I've Never Been To Me

Hey audiophiles, is it true that all CD reissues of these old '60s Motown classics sound far, far inferior to their original single releases (due to deterioration of the masters)? I remember reading that somewhere.