28/11/2025
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
TODAY IS THE 96TH BIRTHDAY OF BERRY GORDY JR.
THE TOP 20 MOTOWN SONGS-ACCORDING TO MY 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER LIST.
1-Diana Ross-Ain't No Mountain High Enough.-(28)
2-Stevie Wonder-Living For the City.-(65)
3-Frank Wilson-Do I Love You.-(97)
4-Marvin Gaye-What's Going On.-(114)
5-The Jacksons-I Want You Back.-(137)
6-The Supremes-You Can't Hurry Love.-(148)
7-Stevie Wonder-I Wish.-(152)
8-Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye-You are Everything.-(183)
9-The Miracles-Tracks of my Tears.-(193)
10-Stevie Wonder-Superstition.-(205)
11-The Supremes-Baby Love.-(212)
12-Smokey Robinson-Just my Soul Responding.-(309)
13-The Velvelettes-Needle in a Haystack.-(346)
14-The Supremes-I'm Living in Shame.-(411)
15-Rick James-Superfreak.-(418)
16-Yvonne Fair-It Should Have Been Me.-(480)
17-Eddie Kendricks-Keep On Truckin.'-(491)
18-Diana Ross-Love Hangover.-(519)
19-The Temptations-Papa Was a Rolling Stone.-(569)
20-Jermaine Jackson-Lets Get Serious.-(570)
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
65-Stevie Wonder-Living for the City.
1973-Number 15 single.
Best Bit-At 5.18. Because Stevie Wonder was already a superstar by the age of 13, it is easy to forget that he was still only 23 when he wrote this.
Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-503-366-205 and 152) was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, on May 13th, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, United States, he was considered a child prodigy, and when signing with ‘Motown’s’ ‘Tamla’ label at the age of 11, he was given the stage name of ‘Little Stevie Wonder’ by his mentor and producer at Tamla, Clarence Paul (1928-1995) (see also best songs 366.) At the age of 13 as ‘Little Stevie Wonder’ he achieved his first American Billboard Number 1 single, with the Clarence Paul co-written ‘Fingertips,’ making Wonder the youngest ever solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The discography of Stevie Wonder includes 23 studio Albums released between 1962-2005, and 92 singles issued between 1962-2024, there are also three soundtrack Albums, 11 official compilation Albums, and four live Albums available. In America on Billboard 16 of his studio Albums have reached the Billboard 200 chart, with two of those Albums, 'Fulfillingness' First Finale,' (1974) and 'Songs in the Key of Life,' (1976) both peaking the highest at Number 1, while 46 of his singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles chart, with eight of those reaching Number 1, and 'Living for the City' making Number 8. In the UK, Stevie Wonder has had 13 of his studio Albums reach the top 40, with ''Songs in the Key of Life,' (1976) 'Hotter than July,' (1980) and 'The Woman in Red,' (1984) all peaking the highest at Number 2, while 37 of his singles have reached the UK top 40, with his only solo Number 1 being ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You,’ which topped the chart in 1984. He also had previously reached Number 1 in the UK in 1982 as the featured artist on the Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646 and 197) song ‘Ebony and Ivory.’
Although Stevie Wonder achieved 17 hit singles on Billboard in the 1960’s it is his early to mid 1970’s output for which he is even more critically acclaimed, particularly his Albums ‘Music of my Mind,’ (1972) ‘Talking Book,’ (1972) ‘Innervisions,’ (1973) ‘Fulfillingness’ First Finale,’ (1974) and ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ (1976.) After Stevie Wonder allowed his contract with ‘Motown’ to run out in 1971, he renegotiated getting himself improved royalties, and complete control over his studio output. He brought in Robert Margouleff, and Malcolm Cecil (1937-2021) (see also best songs 682 and 205) to work with him as engineers, and associate producers, and they would work with Wonder on four of those classic 1970’s Albums.
‘Living for the City’ was the second of four singles released from Stevie Wonder’s 16th studio Album ‘Innervisions,’ from August 1973. As well as writing the song, Wonder also played all of the instruments, which included the Fender Rhodes electric piano, drums, Moog bass, and the T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer, he also sang lead and backing vocals, and provided the hand claps. The additional voices heard at around 4.17 into the song are those of Stevie Wonder's brother Calvin Hardaway, Ira Tucker Jr, (1025-2008) and Jonathan Vigoda (-2011.) ‘Living for the City’ is considered groundbreaking for it’s social commentary, and use of sampling, such as the sounds of voices, buses and traffic which were recorded in the streets, and mixed with the music in the studio. Both Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil could see so much more potential in Stevie Wonder, and were pushing for him to shift his lyrical themes, allowing for political and metaphysical issues to be discussed in his music, instead of primarily singing about romance. The Album is regarded as completing his transition from the 'Little Stevie Wonder' known for romantic ballads, into a more musically mature, conscious, and grown-up artist. In 2003 'Innervisions' was ranked number 23 on 'Rolling Stone' magazine's list of the 500 greatest Albums of all time. In 2020 the magazine wrote, 'Stevie Wonder may be blind, but he reads the national landscape, particularly regarding black America, with penetrating insight on Innervisions, the peak of his 1972–73 run of albums–including Music of My Mind and Talking Book. Fusing social realism with spiritual idealism, Wonder brings expressive colour and irresistible funk to his synth-based keyboards on 'Too High' (a cautionary anti-drug song) and 'Higher Ground' (which echoes Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of transcendence.) The album's centrepiece is 'Living for the City.' a cinematic depiction of exploitation and injustice.'
On August 6th, 1973, just three days after the release of 'Innervisions,' Stevie Wonder was involved in a car crash while sleeping in the front seat of the car of his friend John Harris, who was driving behind a truck loaded high with logs that suddenly slammed on it's brakes causing the logs to go flying, and one smashed through the windshield of Wonder's car and hit him in the forehead. He was bloodied and unconscious when he was pulled from the wrecked car, and lay in a coma caused by severe brain contusion for ten days. Stevie Wonder's climb back to health was long and slow, and he had to take medication for a year. The crash also changed his way of thinking, as his deep faith and spiritual vision made him doubt that it was 'an accident.' He has said, 'You can never change anything that has already happened. Everything is the way it's supposed to be...Everything that ever happened to me is the way it is supposed to have been. Stevie Wonder also said, the accident opened my ears up to many things around me. Naturally, life is just more important to me now...and what I do with my life. I would like to believe in reincarnation. I would like to believe that there is another life. I think that sometimes your consciousness can happen on this earth a second time around. For me, I wrote 'Higher Ground' even before the accident. But something must have been telling me that something was going to happen to make me aware of a lot of things and to get myself together. This is like my second chance for life, to do something or to do more, and to value the fact that I am alive.'
‘Living for the City’ tells the story of a young black man born into a poor but respectable family in Mississippi. He can’t get a job because of discrimination, so he goes to New York, and naively get’s caught up in crime, he is arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 10 years in jail. Stevie Wonder has said, ’I think the deepest I really got into how I feel about the way things are was in ‘Living For The City.’ I was able to show the hurt and the anger. You still have that same mother that scrubs the floors for many, she’s still doing it. Now what is that about? And that father who works some days for 14 hours. That’s still happening.’
‘His sister’s black but she is sho ’nuff pretty, her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy. To walk to school she’s got to get up early, her clothes are old but never are they dirty, living just enough, just enough for the city.’
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
97-Frank Wilson-Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
1965-It has never charted in the UK.
Best Bit-At 0.11. The song became popular in the UK after repeated plays at the ‘Wigan Casino’ All-nighters, therefore it is fitting that the most popular ‘Northern Soul’ song of all time was also the very last record ever played at the venue when it closed in 1981.
The ‘Wigan Casino’ was a nightclub in Wigan, in the North of England that operated between 1973-1981, it became known as the primary venue for Northern Soul music, for an explanation of what Northern Soul music is (see also best songs 969.) The ‘Wigan Casino’ All-nighters generally ended with three songs that became known as the ‘3 before 8,’ the songs were ‘Time Will Pass You By’ (1968) by Tobi Legend, ‘Long After Tonight Is All Over’ (1965) by Jimmy Radcliffe, (1936-1973) and 'I’m on My Way' (1967) by Dean Parrish (1942-2021.) On the clubs final night those three songs were played three times consecutively, but the crowd still refused to go, so the DJ who was Russ Winstantley picked a 7 inch single randomly, which just so happened to be this song. In many lists of the best Northern Soul songs of all time, this song is generally regarded as the Number 1 choice.
Frank Wilson (see also best songs 1001-491 and 411) was born Frank Edward Wilson on December 5th, 1940, in Houston, Texas, United States, he died on September 27th, 2012, at the age of 71, after a long battle with prostrate cancer. Wilson was employed as a songwriter and record producer at Motown Records by the founder of the label Berry Gordy (see also best songs 449 and 137.) In 1965 Wilson wrote and recorded ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do’) with the intention of releasing it as a single on the Motown subsidiary label ‘Soul,’ Approximately 250 demo 45’s were pressed, but after a deliberation, both Wilson and Gordy decided it would be better for Wilson to just concentrate on song writing and production. Gordy didn’t want to lose one of his best songwriters, and Wilson had very little desire to perform. The demo’s were destroyed, apart from two, with maybe even as many as five surviving. In 2009 at auction one of the copies fetched £25,742, which is a world record for a ‘Soul’ song.
‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do’) was produced by Motown’s in house producers Hal Davis, (1933-1998) (see also best songs 519 and 183) and Marc Gordon (1935-2010) (see also best songs 446.) As was customary at that time other Motown artists would also be asked to record a version of a new song, and it was Chris Clark who recorded the song in 1966, which remained in the Motown vaults until 1979, when it was issued as the ‘B’ side to the first time release of the Frank Wilson version. Chris Clark was born Christine Elizabeth Clark on February 1st, 1946, in Santa Cruz, California, United States, she is a Soul, Jazz, and Blues singer, who recorded for Motown Records. Chris Clark released two studio Albums on Tamla/Motown, in 1967, and 1969, and 12 singles between 1966-1969, including on the Motown subsidiary label 'V.I.P.' on which her cover of ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do’) was recorded, and then cancelled in 1966. Chris Clark toured with other fellow Motown artists in England, where she became famous as the 'white negress,' (a nickname meant as a compliment) because she was a six-foot platinum blonde, blue-eyed Soul singer touring with fellow Motown artists, who were predominantly black. In 1972 Clark co-wrote the screenplay for the motion picture 'Lady Sings the Blues' starring Diana Ross, (see also best songs 900-519-183 and 28) which earned her an 'Academy Award' nomination.
Marc Gordon (see also best songs 446) was born Marcus Melvin Gordon on October 14th, 1935, in Denver, Colorado, United States, he died on June 16th, 2010, after years of ill health, at the age of 74. It was around 1960 that Marc Gordon and Hal Davis began working together, the duo sang backing vocals on the Hollywood Argyles 1960 hit 'Alley Oop' (Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 24.) After meeting Berry Gordy, they were given the responsibility of recording material for Motown in Los Angeles. During that time Marc Gordon became President of Motown's Los Angeles office, before leaving the organisation in 1965, and setting up an independent management company that signed the group who would later become The 5th Dimension (see also best songs 572 and 202.) Along with the American musician Johnny Rivers, Gordon produced The 5th Dimension's debut studio Album 'Up, Up and Away' in 1967, for which he won a 'Grammy' award. It was Marc Gordon who introduced The 5th Dimension to the legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb (see also best songs 846-119 and 1) and the music producer Bones Howe, Gordon remained the group's manager through their later recordings. He also managed the singer Thelma Houston, and, with Johnny Rivers, produced Al Wilson's recording of 'The Snake' (see also best songs 446.) As with many of Gordon's earlier productions with Hal Davis, the recording became popular on the British Northern Soul scene a few years later. Marc Gordon continued to manage well known acts throughout the 1970's, including the Staple Singers, Tony Orlando and Dawn, (see also best songs 886) and Willie Hutch (1944-2005) (see also best songs 309.)
As a songwriter and producer Frank Wilson was one of the four song writers at Motown that were known as ‘The Clan,’ along with Pam Sawyer, (see also best songs 519) R. Dean Taylor, (1939-2022) (see also best songs 911 and 411) and Deke Richards, (1944-2013) (see also best songs 365-411 and 137) who had been put together to replace the legendary Holland Dozier Holland (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-212 and 148) when they split with the label. The other songs in this countdown that Frank Wilson either wrote are produced are ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,’ (see also best songs 1001) ‘I’m Living in Shame,’ (see also best songs 411) and the 1973 American Number 1 single ‘Keep On Truckin” (see also best songs 491.) Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born again Christian. He became a minister, travelling, and writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and he was also later involved in the production of Gospel music.
‘Here I am on bended knees, I lay my heart down at your feet, now do I love you. All you have to do is ask, I’ll give until there’s nothing left, do I love you.’
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
411-Diana Ross & the Supremes-I’m Livin’ in Shame.
1969-Number 14 single.
Best Bit-At 2.23. Thankfully not all Pop songs are about boy meets girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. Some have much deeper meanings.
‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Let the Sunshine In,’ the 16th studio Album by Diana Ross & the Supremes, from May 1969, there would be two more studio Albums before Diana Ross would depart for her solo career in 1970. In total the Supremes under various line ups released 29 studio Albums between 1962-1976. There were also 66 singles released, of which 12 became American Billboard Number 1 songs, for the full discography of the Supremes see best songs 148. ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was written and produced by the team of writers assembled by Motown supremo Berry Gordy to replace the recently departed Holland Dozier Holland (see also best songs 969-823-650-553-411 and 212.) The four writers of this song were known as ‘The Clan’ and were active as a unit between 1967-1969. They consisted of Frank Wilson, (1940-2012) (see also best songs 1001-491 and 97) Pam Sawyer, (see also best songs 519) R. Dean Taylor, (1939-2022) (see also best songs 911) and Deke Richards (1944-2013.) (see also best songs 365 and 137.)
By 1969 the Supremes line up was now Diana Ross, (see also best songs (900-519-183 and 28) Mary Wilson, (1944-2021) and Cindy Birdsong, but like many of the Supremes (see also best songs 1001-212 and 148) recordings from around that period Wilson, and Birdsong did not perform on record, because Berry Gordy chose to use Motown’s in house female session singers ‘The Andantes’ instead. The songs instrumentation was provided by Motown’s in house group of session musicians ‘The Funk Brothers.’ Here is the list of songs in this countdown that The Andantes, (see best songs 1001-823-650-114 and 28) and The Funk Brothers (see best songs 948-650-569-382-212-148 and 28) can by heard on.
Mary Wilson was born on March 6th, 1944, in Greenville, Mississippi, United States, she died in her sleep from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, on February 8th, 2021, at the age of 76. Mary Wilson was the Supremes one constant, being a founding member in 1959, until 1977, when the group were retired, due to Wilson leaving to pursue a solo career. She sang backing vocals on 10 of the 12 Supremes American Billboard Number 1 singles, and in 1988 was inducted along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard (1943-1976) as members of the Supremes, into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ As a solo artist Mary Wilson released three studio Albums between 1979-2021, and 16 singles between 1979-2023, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) two official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In 1986 Mary Wilson became a ‘New York Times’ best selling author, with the release of her first autobiography, ‘Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme,’ which set records for sales in its genre, and then in 1990 for the autobiography ‘Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together.’ Mary Wilson also worked in activism, fighting to pass the ‘Truth in Music Advertising’ bill, which is legislation, adopted into state law by most U.S. states, that aims to protect the trademark of musical recording artists. The legislation provides that the name of a famous musical group cannot be used by a group of performers unless they include at least one member of the original group. The intent of the legislation is to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices, and to protect the livelihood of musicians who were in famous musical groups.
‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ was inspired by the plot of the 1959 American drama film ‘Imitation of Life.’ The song was also written as a sequel to the Supremes 1968 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Love Child,’ which was also written by ‘The Clan.’ ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ tells the story of a woman who was born into poverty, and being ashamed of her hard working mother since being a child. She grows up and leaves home, and lies about her past in order to move up in to higher society. She marries a man who is well off, and tells him that her mother died in Spain. After giving birth to her first child, she doesn’t tell her mother that she is now a grandmother. One day she receives a telegram saying that her mother has died, and now she feels extremely sad and guilty.
‘Mom was cooking bread, she wore a dirty raggerty scarf around her head. Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet, she just didn’t know.’
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
449-Jackie Wilson-R**t Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet.)
1957-Number 6 single. When it was re-issued in 1986 it reached Number 1.
Best Bit-At 0.45. Without the hits of Jackie Wilson, there may never have been any Tamla Motown records.
Jackie Wilson was born Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. on June 9th, 1934, in Highland Park, Michigan, United States, he died on January 21st, 1984, from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 49. In 1975 Wilson had collapsed on stage, when he suffered a massive heart attack. Medical personnel worked to stabilise him, but the lack of oxygen to his brain caused him to slip into a coma. He briefly recovered in early 1976, and was even able to take a few wobbly steps, but he then slipped back into a semi-comatose state, he spent the last years of his life in a nursing home. Jackie Wilson was a tenor with a four octave range, with the legendary ‘Motown’ records founder Berry Gordy Jr, (see also best songs 411 and 137) saying that he was the greatest singer he ever heard. Wilson was also very energetic when performing on stage, earning the nickname ‘Mr Excitement,’ artists who have admitted being influenced by Wilson’s live performances include Elvis Presley, (1935-1977) James Brown, (1933-2006) and Michael Jackson (1958-2009.) Wilson was sometimes called ‘The Black Elvis,’ when asked about this Elvis said,’ I guess that makes me the white Jackie Wilson.’ It was Elvis Presley who covered a large portion of Jackie Wilson’s medical bills during those later years.
The discography of Jackie Wilson includes 24 studio Albums released between 1958-1976, and 70 singles released between 1957-1975, there are also 10 official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 26 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Night’ from 1960, peaking the highest at Number 4, with ‘R**t Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet.’) only making Number 62. In the UK, Jackie Wilson has had five top 40 chart hits, with ‘R**t Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet.’) reaching Number 1 in 1986.
‘R**t Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) was the debut single from Jackie Wilson, released in August 1957, and later added to his debut studio Album ‘He’s So Fine,’ from 1958. The song was co-written by Berry Gordy Jr, Billy Davis, (1932-2004) and Gwen Gordy Fuqua, (1927-1999) with the production being by Dick Jacobs (1918-1988.) With the royalties from ‘R**t Petite’, and other tracks that Berry Gordy Jr. co-wrote for Jackie Wilson, he was able to borrow the money needed to start up ‘Tamla Motown’ records. The songs title was influenced by the 1948 film ‘R**t Petite, and Gone,’ starring Louis Jordan, (1908-1975) who also sang a song with that same title in the movie. In ‘Jazz’ lingo, the term ‘reet’ meant ‘fantastic.’
Gwen Gordy Fuqua, was born Gwendolyn Gordy, on November 26th, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, she died from cancer on November 8th, 1999, at the age of 71. Gwen Gordy was the older sister of Berry Gordy Jr. and the third youngest of seven siblings, which consisted of four sisters and three brothers. It was Gwen who first got the idea of starting up a record label, forming ‘Anna’ records (named after one of her sisters) in 1959, with one of this songs co-writers Roquel ‘Billy’ Davis, and her sister Anna. In 1961 ‘Anna Records’ was absorbed into ‘Motown Records,’ with Gwen, Anne, and Billy Davis joining the staff at Motown. In 1961 Gwen Gordy married the American singer/songwriter Harvey Fuqua, (1929-2010) (see also best songs 162) and although they divorced in 1968, she was known for the rest of her life as Gwen Gordy Fuqua. She was then married to G.C. Cameron, (see also best songs 834) for a period in the 1970’s before divorcing, she then set up a production company called ‘Gwen Glenn,’ named after her son Glenn Gordy. As well as writing R**t Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) with Berry Gordy Jr. and Billy Davis, the trio were also responsible for ‘Lonely Teardrops,’ (1959-Billboard Number 7) which is often referred to as Jackie Wilson’s signature song.
In 1986 ‘R**t Petite’ (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet’) was reissued as ‘R**t Petite (The Sweetest Girl in Town,’) following the showing of a clay animation video on the British BBC 2 television documentary series ‘Arena.’ The clay animation video proved so popular that it helped propel the song to be the Christmas Number 1 single of 1986 in the UK, almost three years after the death of Jackie Wilson. The song holds the record for taking the longest amount of time to reach Number 1 since release, at 29 years, and eight months.
‘Well have you ever seen a girl for whom your soul you’d give. For whom you’d fight for, die for, pray to God you’d lie for.’
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
491-Eddie Kendricks-Keep On Truckin’
1973-Number 18 single.
Best Bit-At 0.10. ‘Keep On Truckin” is a phrase of encouragement, meaning to continue to stay focused regardless of circumstances or setbacks.
Eddie Kendricks was born Edward James Kendrick, on December 17th, 1939, in Union Springs, Alabama, United States, he was a heavy smoker for 30 years, and died of lung cancer on October 5th, 1992, at the age of 52. Kendrick was one of the founding members of what would become ‘Tamla Motown’s’ most successful male group, the ‘Temptations’ (see also best songs 1031-1001-777 and 569.) He remained with the group from their formation in 1955, until leaving in bitter circumstances in 1971, to pursue a solo career. Eddie Kendricks, who added the ‘s’ at the end of his surname for his stage name, was noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, and can be heard singing the lead vocal on many of the ‘Temptations’ hits, including ‘Get Ready,’ and ‘Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me.’) During the mid 1980’s, he dropped the ‘s’ from his stage name, and reverted back to his birth name. The American Rapper, songwriter, and filmmaker Kendrick Lamar was named by his mother after Kendricks.
Eddie Kendricks solo career got off to a slow start, with all of his first five singles, released from his first two solo Albums, failing to break into the American Billboard Hot 100 top 40, His first two Albums also fared no better, but things changed with the release of his third Album, and especially after the release of ‘Keep On Truckin” as a single. The solo discography of Eddie Kendricks includes 15 Albums released between 1971-1987, and 30 singles released within the same time period. Included in those Album releases is a ‘Live at the Apollo’ recording with David Ruffin, and Daryl Hall & John Oates, from 1985, and a duets Album with his fellow ex ‘Temptations’ band mate David Ruffin, (1941-1991) called ‘Ruffin & Kendrick,’ which turned out to be Eddie Kendricks final recording, in 1987. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, Eddie Kendricks (away from the Temptations) has had six top 40 hit singles, with ‘Keep on Truckin’ reaching the Number 1 position, while in the UK, he has charted twice, with ‘Boogie Down,’ being the other hit when reaching Number 39 in 1973.
‘Keep on Truckin’ was the second and final single released from Eddie Kendricks’ self titled third solo studio Album from May 1973, the song was co-written by Leonard Caston Jr., Anita Poree, (1939-2018) and Frank Wilson, (1940-2012) (see also best songs 1001-411 and 97) who also produced the song. ‘Keep on Truckin’ was released with ‘Part 1’ being on the ‘A’ side, and ‘Part 2’ being on the ‘B’ side, as the Album version lasts for 8 minutes. The song which signified a change in style, moving towards a more ‘dance’ orientated sound, finally gave Eddie Kendricks a hit single at the seventh time of asking, and was finally making him more successfully commercial than his bitter rivals the ‘Temptations.’ ‘Keep on Truckin’ is considered to be one of ‘Disco Music’s’ first breakthrough hits.
Leonard Caston Jr. who was one of the songs co-writers was born on November 13th, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, he is a songwriter, record producer, pianist and singer. In 1964 he joined the American R&B group ‘The Radiants,’ who were signed to ‘Chess Records,’ he stayed a member until 1965. At ‘Chess’ he began to write and produce music, as well as working as a session musician, notably playing piano on the Fontella Bass song ‘Rescue Me’ (1965-Billboard Number 4 & UK Number 11.) Caston left ‘Chess’ for ‘Motown Records’ in 1968, where his numerous songwriting credits include ‘Nathan Jones,’ for the ‘Supremes’ (1971-Billboard Number 16 & UK Number 5.)
‘Keep On Truckin” was also co-written by Anita Poree, who was born on September 14th, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, she died of cancer on July 8th, 2018, at the age of 78. Prior to co-writing ‘Keep On Truckin” she had co-written two American Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits for the American vocal group ‘The Friends of Distinction, ‘Going in Circles,’ (1969-Number 15) and ‘Love or Let Me be Lonely,’ (1970-Number 6.) Harry Elston of that group said after her death, ‘She was a pioneer during a period when women were less accepted as popular songwriters.’ The musician Greg Poree who is her brother said that after several years of composing songs, his sister became disheartened with the music industry, and the whole Hollywood scene. She re-focused her life creating art with paints, composing poetry, and calling for justice for racial minorities, members of the ‘LGBTQ’ community, and others denied equal treatment and opportunity.
In ‘Keep on Truckin” the narrator is telling us of his love, and desire for another, and he will do whatever it takes to make that person his. The lyric ‘In old temptation’s rain I’m duckin,” is a dig at his former band mates, who had previously had a dig at him and David Ruffin, in their song ‘Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are.’)
‘I’m the red ball express of lovin,’ Diesel-powered straight to you, I’m truckin.’ In old Temptation’s rain, I’m duckin, ‘for your love through sleet and snow, I’m truckin,’
THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
569-The Temptations-Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.
1972-Number 14 single.
Best Bit-At 3.54. The legend is that the songs lead singer Dennis Edwards thought that the songs co-writer Norman Whitfield was trying to aggravate him with the songs opening line,’It was the 3rd of September, that day I’ll always remember, yes I will, ’cause that was the day my daddy died.’ Edwards father was said to have died on that date, but he actually found out later it had been October 3rd. Norman Whitfield said that he chose the date because it fit in well with the song, he said he had no idea when Edwards father had died.
The Temptations (see also best songs 1031-1001 and 777) were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1960, and at the time of writing they remain active, with the groups one constant being the only surviving co-founder of the group Otis Williams. Over the 60 plus years there have been 27 different official members come and go, with Williams having performed on all of The Temptations recordings. Otis Williams was born Otis Miles Jr. on October 30th, 1941, in Texarkana, Texas, United States, shortly after his birth his parents split, and when he became a teenager, he adopted his mother’s maiden name for his stage name. Although Williams has been the groups one constant, he has very rarely sung lead vocals, focusing instead on his role as the group’s leader and organiser, and as the background ‘baritone.’ Williams can notably be heard providing the spoken word contribution on The Temptations & Supremes duet ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’ (see also best songs 1001.)
‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was the only single released from The Temptations 15th studio Album ‘All Directions,’ from July 1972, the song was co-written by Norman Whitfield, (1940-2008) (see also best songs 911-777-533-480-346 and 233 ) and Barrett Strong, (1941-2023) (see also best songs 777) with the production being by Whitfield. ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was originally written in 1971, and first recorded by fellow ‘Motown’ group ‘The Undisputed Truth,’ but when it was released as a single it got no higher than Number 63 on Billboard in 1972. Norman Whitfield who was always trying to push the musical barriers, reworked the song in to a 12 minute epic, filling the song with long instrumental parts. This didn’t please everyone, with some saying that The Temptations were only playing a bit part, while Whitfield put the music first. The five members of The Temptations at that time who performed on the track were Dennis Edwards, (1943-2018) Damon Harris, (1950-2013) Richard Street, (1942-2013) Melvin Franklin, (1942-1995) and Otis Williams. Lead vocals on the track were performed by Edwards, Franklin, and Street, who sang a verse each, taking on the roles of siblings questioning their mother about their now dead father.
Barrett Strong Jr. was born on February 5th, 1941, in West Point, Mississippi, United States, he died on January 28th, 2023, at the age of 81. Barrett Strong is the co-writer of some of Motown records most enduring classics, including ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine,’ originally recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips,’ but made timeless by Marvin Gaye, (1968-Billboard & UK Number 1) and ‘War,’ for Edwin Starr (1970-Billboard Number 1 & UK Number 3) Barrett Strong was also the co-writer with Norman Whitfield of many of The Temptations hits of their ‘Psychedelic Soul’ period. His solo recording discography includes four studio Albums released between 1975-2001, and at least 14 singles released between 1959-1981. In 1959 Barrett Strong recorded ‘Money (That’s What I Want’) which became the first ever ‘Motown’ hit single, when reaching Number 23 on Billboard in America in 1960.
The music for ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was provided by the ‘Motown’ in house studio band ‘The Funk Brothers,’ (see also best songs 948-920-650-411-382-212-148 and 28) with some of the players on the track being Maurice Davis, (1941-2012) (trumpet) Melvin ‘Wah Wah Watson Ragin, (1950-2018) (guitar) Bob Babbitt, (1937-2012) (bass) and Aaron Smith (drums.) ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was the last classic ‘Motown’ track to be recorded at the original famous ‘Studio A’ in Detroit, as most of Motown’s studio work had moved to Los Angeles by then, but The Temptations chose to record this in Detroit.
Berry Gordy the founder of Motown records in 1959, has paid a glowing tribute to Norman Whitfield, saying, ‘He could take one chord, like on ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone,’ and play the same chord and do all these different beautiful melodies and stuff that many people could not really imagine this guy doin’. And I would watch him and he did it all by himself as a producer. He would work with five guys in the Temps, and he would change leads on each one. He would pick the right lead for the right song, ya know, and he’d utilise all five of those leads in a song that was just incredible. When I listen to ’em today, now that I have time to listen to ’em, I’m saying, “Wow! This guy was probably the most underrated producer we had.’
‘It was the 3rd of September, that day I’ll always remember, yes I will, ’cause that was the day that my daddy died. I never got a chance to see him, never heard nothin’ but bad things about him, Momma I’m depending on you to tell me the truth. Momma just hung her head and said, son Papa was a rolling stone.’
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