I need to put a playlist together for a house party. The invitees are predominately of a certain age. Previously, Motown has hid the spot perfectly. This time, I thought I’d drag them out of the Sixties and Seventies. However, I need Motownalike tunes to succeed.
Please help!
I’ll start with one that must sound like Motown because a court found the writers guilty of plagiarising Marvin Gaye. (Don’t worry, the video is the ‘clean’ version.)
Rigid Digit says
A bit Motown meets Hip Hop meets Stevie W – No?
(well, I think so anyway)
Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love
Tiggerlion says
Oh yes. Black Eyed Peas may make my skin crawl but that’s a hit with this crowd, I’m sure.
Moose the Mooche says
Nothing gets the party going like a bit of good old-fashioned rapey plagiarism….
Deviant808 says
The Allergies might be worth a go. They’re on Spotify and “Push On” is a decent start point, though the new single (“Entitled to That”) is even better but unfortunately not out for a couple of weeks yet.
Tiggerlion says
I’ll have to look this lot up. Their name makes me regret my reply to the Black Eyed Peas posting.
Jackthebiscuit says
For your consideration – one of my favourite singles from the early 90s
Charles & Eddie – would I lie to you
Sewer Robot says
If you’re going back that far – one of my favourite singles from the early 90s:
(Shara Nelson – One Goodbye In Ten)
Tiggerlion says
Both of those are great examples and count as ‘modern day’ in my book.
KDH says
How about Doves going all Martha & The Vandellas?
Tiggerlion says
Nice one. Or in a previous incarnation…
walker1 says
The modern day Supremes and Vandellas? (Modern day clearly means “within the last twenty years” in this instance
Tiggerlion says
These surprise me, walker1. They are sooo Motown.
Twang says
Lisa?
Soully but poss not Motown enough in the sound. ..
Tiggerlion says
Love Lisa, though. She’s got to be in.
Twang says
I saw her in Paris once. I’d seen a lot of serious singer/songwriters hunched over acoustic guitars at the time, but Lisa came on all full show with big band, backing singers, cozzie changes etc. She has a big gay following there – to hear the entire audience singing “I may not be a lady – but I’m all woman” at the tops of their voices was superb.
Campo says
The Coral – Dreaming Of You
Tiggerlion says
Perfect! They even quote lyrics!
Tony Japanese says
I’m stuggling to think what lyrics they’re quoting. I thought I liked both Motown and The Coral too.
Tiggerlion says
He is in his Lonely Room for a start…
Tony Japanese says
I confess I have never heard the song. I wll remedy this almost instantly.
fentonsteve says
That one by Texas. Black Eyed Boy is it called?
Campo says
Also this one from Sharleen solo:
Tiggerlion says
Twang says
This is a must shirley.
Tiggerlion says
Hmm. Yes. Even though it drove me insane at the time.
Campo says
Sewer Robot says
Ha! I bet you know all these backwards, Mr T. Still, cracking thread:
(Little Jackie – The World Should Revolve Around Me)
Milkybarnick says
Definitely this:
And possibly this:
fentonsteve says
Candie Payne was ace but got caught up in the ‘new Amy’ marketing nonsense. I tried to book her for a gig once but she’d just been dropped by her label. She’s still gigging in a duo, or was last I heard.
Malc says
How about the Pipettes?
Tiggerlion says
Brilliant! Suitably daft video, too.
Markg says
Markg says
pawsforthought says
Cant believe you haven’t done Michael Kiwanuka’s ‘Black man in a white world.’ This would have also fitted the ‘songs that are basically chants’ thread, as well.
Moose the Mooche says
Some pretty amazing definitions of “modern” on this thread… do we just have a lot of geologists on the Afterword? 😉
Sewer Robot says
The AW is a site where 60 years ago is yesterday!
This came out last month, ya grouch. Channelling the “conscious” albums of the early 70s – which is also the Motown sound.
(Cody Chesnutt – Bullets In The Street And Blood)
Mind, if sounding a bit like Stevie is the idea, I’d take “Everything Is Everything” off The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill.
Markg says
Locust says
Anything bt Eli Paperboy Reed. And Sharon Jones. Or anyone on the Daptone label!
Tiggerlion says
Or this one.
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Alias says
Fans of Daptone’s retro Southern soul should check out Don Bryant’s new album Don’t Give Up On Love. He is Ann Peebles’ husband and for years has been singing gospel and has now gone back to secular music. Not Motown, this is pure Hi Records. The opening track, a cover of O V Wright’s anti heroin classic Nickel and a Nail is outstanding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DEzhf3LbMY
Bamber says
A stone cold modern classic…
Tiggerlion says
Good shout. I’d forgotten about Jamie. Mind you, he is often overlooked. I wonder why.
Bamber says
Not a great version but all I could find on YouTube…
MC Escher says
Was gonna mention LT, he gives excellent Marvin. Played, Sir.
bricameron says
Refute this as modern day Motown at your peril.
bricameron says
Here’s another one.
Black Celebration says
I have had this thought festering a little while – is Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars too well done?
Tiggerlion says
Watching the video, with its too perfect dance moves, it’s almost smug, but, boy, does it get you moving. Good to see The Gap Band getting some royalties. 2,500,000,000 viewers on the youtube can’t be wrong!
Black Celebration says
I heard it and assumed it was a James Brown cover. Prince would have killed someone for this song in 1990ish I think.
Black Type says
Pfft! It owes Prince, and JB of course, a massive debt.
ruff-diamond says
Similarly, Bruno Mars’ Treasure. If this doesnt get you moving, you’re dead.
Twang says
I dislike turd dropping but I’m making an exception here to say there are few records I loath more than that cut ‘n’ paste ripoff job. 💩
bricameron says
That depends on the ears.
Kaisfatdad says
Excellent idea for a thread, Tigs.
Gnarls Barkley’s Smiley Faces
Even some of them Cee Lo’s songs. Perhaps?
Tiggerlion says
Wonderful!
Morrison says
All kept at a nice tempo for the “mature crowd”…
Good call on the Jamie Lidell – there’s also this belter.
Mayer Hawthorne – The Walk: one of the few records to contain the line “your shitty fucking attitude…”
Amy’s “Tears dry on their own”? Think she had to pay Ashford and Simpson royalties for ripping them off – great track through.
Some 70s sounding stuff – there’s a James Jamerson style bass lurking here and there – and both from last couple of years.
And this – could easily drop into a Marvin 70s album – Leon Ware on production.
Tiggerlion says
Good to see you, Morrison. I knew I could rely on you for some corkers.
Black Type says
Wham! – Freedom.
Black Celebration says
Good one – arguably, I’m Your Man as well.
Black Type says
Always, BC xx
John Walters says
Surely this has to be included. The most Motowny Mowtown song of recent years.
You can just imagine The Temptations singing and dancing to this.
Tiggerlion says
I wonder whatever happened to Duffy?
Moose the Mooche says
She came out of the shower and it turned out it had all been a dream.
No, wait, that was Patrick Duffy.
(Prefer my version though… hurrrr)
minibreakfast says
Is this modern enough?
https://youtu.be/_XPEu7G2wv4
Tiggerlion says
No.
Kaisfatdad says
Motown was a global phenomenon and I do not doubt that there are revivalists throughout the planet.
In 2002 Brazilian singer Sandra de Sa recorded several Motown covers in Portuguese.
Qual é? (What’s going on?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHiNfvCH9Ag
Nada Mais (Lately)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKRz28gHwEc
Sewer Robot says
Everybody knows there’s only one George Carter. But maybe there’s room for an ersatz Smokey?:
(Plan B – The Writing’s On The Wall)
Lemonhope says
Leon Bridges
Smooth Sailin
Lemonhope says
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
I need never get old
Lemonhope says
JD McPherson
Let the good times roll
Lemonhope says
The Jam
Town Called Malice
Lemonhope says
Emeli Sande
Next To Me
Milkybarnick says
Always thought this had a Motown feel to it (the horns and the beat)…
Tiggerlion says
Well I never! Who’d have thought?
Makka Pakka says
Borderline by Madonna surely meets the brief perfectly!
Sewer Robot says
True Blue and Cherish too, but don’t tell Deram…
exilepj says
‘Astounded’ by Bran Van 3000 featuring the sweet, sweet vocals of Curtis Mayfield
Tiggerlion says
I don’t think Curtis, bless him, was ever on Motown. 😛
Junior Wells says
Ok who is gonna do the Spotify playlist. Tigs or will it fall to KFD.?
Tiggerlion says
Me, me!
When I get a minute.
fentonsteve says
An outsider, perhaps: Johnny Boy – You Are the Generation that Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve:
David McAlmont – Look At Yourself:
James Dean Bradfield: That’s No Way To Tell A Lie:
Alias says
This one has a real 60s soul feel.
Lack Of Afro – Take You Home
Alias says
And this cover of the Jackson’s Sisters I Believe In Miracles inevitably has more of a 70s fee.
Sunlightsquare
Tiggerlion says
Kaisfatdad says
Brilliant work , Tigger! I am really looking forward to giving this a good listen, not to mention trying it out on the dancefloor.
I was amused by Junior’s comment above. It’s true! I do enjoy putting together a Spotify list. But why should I have all the fun?
I’m feeling a little frustrated that I have not unearthed more on Motown’s influence on pop music n the non-Anglophone world. But I am on the case. Tomorrow I will hopefully find a Tibetan Motown reboot for your liustening pleasure.
Junior Wells says
great work Tigger and continued appreciation for the playlists you compile KFD
Declan says
Should you need evidence to demonstrate how “with it” and “left field” you are, Tigger, you could do a lot worse than dropping this little 20 minute nugget on them which is also, coincidentally, 20 years old, only!
Don’t fret, it’s shortenable/ fadeable. Amazing record, the Motown credentials would be the marvellous, Gladys-like sweet soul voice. Then it swoops into Michael Henderson-era funk Miles territory before doing proggy electro machine-driven rhythms, but lithe and lithely, that still sound like the future. Full of hooks and pop smarts too, everybody deserves to hear this. Goldie.
Locust says
(Veronica Maggio – Gammal Sång)
(Sweet Chariots – Cry No More Tears)
Clive says
There is this of course…
minibreakfast says
Malc says
One more of the “can’t believe it hasn’t been mentioned yet” type, although it is a bit on the slow side to be fair.
Stooshe – Black Heart