Happy Mother's Day from The Temptations!

 

Oh Mother of Mine

Oh, mother

Oh mother of mine, I've I've been blind.

The things that you tell me, yeah, I paid, I really

Paid it no mind.

Oh please, oh please forgive me, yes, I know I was wrong.

But now, now I know, yeah, my place, my place is at home.

Can't you see I've been crying now (Oh yes he's been crying)

Almost dying(Uh-huh, almost dying)

I need your advice mama, yeah (He needs your advice)

Oh, mama (Please Mother)

Oh, mama (Please Mother)

Oh, mama (Please Mother)

come on and tell me now

How much about love, you don't understand?

Yes, you know that you wrong.

Or when you thought you were wrong.

Yes, it was that young girl.

She put you in such a whirl.

Yeah, I said mama don't you worry now, yeah

I guess i had it coming to me anyhow, yes I did.

I am gonna do everything you say,

Hm, each and every day

I'm gonna be man. (Oh yes he's gonna be a man

Yes, I am. Now that I understand. (Now he understands)

Hm, I'm not gonna be no fool no more (He's not fool no more).

Yeah because you told me so. (Like, like he was before)

Whoa mama (Pleases mother)

Oh, mama (Please Mother)

Oh, mama (Please Mother)

Come and tell me now.

Oh tell me now.

Hm, I'm sorry.

Yes, I am really sorry.

Oh, I should have think of you, yeah.

Yes I should have because you no what to say.

POP Music: Hitsville, USA

 

Who knew that such sweet, sweet music could come out of such a regular looking house? So many dreams came true at 2648 West Grand Boulevard and those dreams soon inspired millions of people around the world to realize that we are not so different from each other. Why fight when we should be dancing in the streets?

POP Music: The Temptations

 

They were the emperors of soul; audio and visual perfection. Despite a few initial stumbles, The Temptations became one of Motown's biggest acts, breaking sales records and racial barriers. 

The only thing smoother than their vocals were their moves and their discography features some of the most recognizable songs from the last century. My Girl, Cloud Nine, The Way You Do the Things You Do, Get Ready, Who's Loving You and Lady Soul are just a few of their mega-hits.

Regardless of line-up, the group has always featured band member Otis Williams who has seen the group through its decades of existence. Some of its more memorable members who are no longer with us include David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin and Allie-Ollie Woodson who have provided hours of great listening to millions around the world.

POP Music: The Funk Brothers

 

They were the unsung heroes of Motown- the house band known as the Funk Brothers that played on over 200 classic Motown songs. If they were a credited band they would be the greatest in history with countless gold and platinum albums and hundreds of millions of records sold.

The Motown stars owed their success to The Funk Brothers whose musical skills could make a good song great. Despite spending much of their careers in the shadows, they would eventually get their due when they were featured in an award winning documentary- Standing in the Shadows of Motown. 

In 2013 they were finally given a showbiz honor that had been granted to their Motown colleagues- a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was long overdue.

 

POP Music: Gladys Knight & the Pips

 

Unlike their label mates at Motown, they got their start elsewhere, charting with the hit Every Beat of My Heart. They changed things up by trying out Motown, signing up to see what Berry Gordy could do for their careers. They charted with I Heard it Through the Grapevine, I Don't Want to Do Wrong and the immortal If I Were Your Woman. Gladys Knight & the Pips became one of Motown and the world's greatest acts.

Ms. Knight's silky, soulful voice is a gift from heaven; listening to her sing If I Were Your Woman is a revelation. What man could possibly resist a woman who sang to him like that? Gladys Knight was a force to be reckoned with. Not even Motown could fully utilize her talents. After a bitter breakup with the label, Gladys Knight & the Pips would find even greater success with their highest chart topper- Midnight Train to Georgia. Listen to Miss Gladys and just about any man would jump on that train with her.

POP Music: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

 

Separately, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were aces. Together, they were heavenly. 

Motown had been looking for a singing partner for Marvin Gaye with okay success. Kim Weston and Mary Wells had been tried with mixed success, but when Harvey Fuqua decided to try out Marvin and Tammi, it was explosive.

Tammi and Marvin's voices melded together perfectly, making people believe that they were a real life couple. Their discography is essential listening- Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing, Ain't No Mountain High Enough & Your Precious Love were just a few of their many hit singles together. Both singers died tragically too soon, but their sweet, sweet music will never be forgotten.

POP Music: Motown Week!

 

Hitsville, U.S.A. was the epicenter of so many things- the mainstreaming of soul music, the beginning of so many huge careers and even the catalyst that would lead to the expansion of civil rights. Its enduring legacy were the sweet sounds that emanated from its walls. Luckily for us, the sounds were trapped on tape and pressed on wax, proving to be an enduring gift left to us for all time. This week we honor the little house on West Grand Boulevard that made it big, spreading the sounds of Motown to the four corners of the world.