Motown 50: Yesterday, Today, Forever

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 10 available)

Tracklist

1CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1I Want You Back
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
bass guitar:
Wilton Felder (in 1969-07)
drums (drum set):
Gene Pello and Johnny Jackson (drummer for Jackson 5) (in 1969-07)
guitar:
Donald Peake, David T. Walker and Tito Jackson (in 1969-07)
guitar [lead guitar]:
Louis Shelton (in 1969-07)
keyboard:
Clarence McDonald and Ronnie Rancifer (in 1969-07)
percussion:
Sandra Crouch and Marlon Jackson (in 1969-07)
piano:
Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren, Joe Sample and Ronnie Rancifer (in 1969-07)
background vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5), Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), Keith Washington, Jermaine Jackson (soul/pop singer, of Jackson 5) (in 1969-07), Marlon Jackson (in 1969-07) and Tito Jackson (in 1969-07)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1969-07)
vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1969-07)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1969)
recorded at:
The Sound Factory West in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1969-07, from 1969-07 until 1969-09)
music videos:
I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 (The Jacksons, formerly “The Jackson 5”)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 23), Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970 (number: 28), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 104) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 120)
recording of:
I Want You Back (in 1969-07)
lyricist and composer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
publisher:
EMI April Music Inc. and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
The Jackson 54.152:59
2I’ll Be There
producer:
Nickolas Ashford, Hal Davis and Valerie Simpson
arranger:
Bob West (US session bassist, producer & songwriter)
recording of:
I’ll Be There (in 1970-06)
writer:
Bob West (US session bassist, producer & songwriter), Hal Davis, Berry Gordy and Willie Hutch
publisher:
EMI April Music Inc., EMI Songs Australia, Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Stone Diamond Music Corporation
part of:
MJ: The Musical
The Jackson 54.353:53
3Ben
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1972)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label)
recording of:
Ben (in 1972)
lyricist:
Don Black (English lyricist)
composer:
Walter Scharf
publisher:
Jobette Music (in 1972)
part of:
The 45th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
Michael Jackson3.852:47
4What’s Going On
producer:
Marvin Gaye
mixer:
Lawrence Miles (on 1971-05-06)
instruments:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (on 1971-05-06) and The Funk Brothers (on 1971-05-06)
percussion [box drum], piano and lead vocals:
Marvin Gaye (on 1971-05-06)
background vocals:
Lem Barney (on 1971-05-06), Mel Farr (on 1971-05-06) and Marvin Gaye (on 1971-05-06)
conductor:
David Van dePitte (on 1971-05-06)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1971)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (on 1971-05-06)
part of:
Helsingin Sanomat: 100 maailman parasta laulua (2022-1-15) (number: 4), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 4), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 6), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 102) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock
recording of:
What’s Going On (on 1971-05-06)
lyricist and composer:
Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland (songwriter 1930-1996) and Marvin Gaye
publisher:
EMI Songs Australia, FCG Music, Jobete Music Co., Inc., MG III Music, NMG Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd. and Stone Agate Music Corp.
sub-publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Marvin Gaye4.23:55
5Ain’t No Sunshine
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters) and Eddy Manson
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972)
cover recording of:
Ain’t No Sunshine
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and EMI Songs Ltd.
recording of:
Ain’t No Sunshine
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and EMI Songs Ltd.
Michael Jackson3.354:14
6ABC
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
drums (drum set):
Gene Pello (in 1970-01)
electric bass guitar:
Wilton Felder (in 1970-01) and Bob West (US session bassist, producer & songwriter) (in 1970-01)
guitar:
Don Peake (in 1970-01), Louis Shelton (in 1970-01) and David T. Walker (in 1970-01)
keyboard:
Freddie Perren (in 1970-01)
background vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Marlon Jackson (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1970-01)
lead vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Jermaine Jackson (soul/pop singer, of Jackson 5) (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1970)
recorded at:
Sound Factory (1969–1980) in Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1970-01)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 174)
recording of:
ABC (in 1970-01)
writer:
Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer)
composer:
Erik Huber (audio engineer, producer, composer)
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
The Jackson 54.13:00
7Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
recording of:
Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
lyricist and composer:
Frank Wilson (Motown singer/songwriter)
publisher:
Stone Agate Music
Frank Wilson2:22
8I Heard It Through the Grapevine
producer:
Norman Whitfield
bass [1962 Fender Precision Bass]:
James Jamerson (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
congas and tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
drums (drum set):
Uriel Jones (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
French horn:
Don Ozga (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10) and Edwin Jones (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
guitar [1964 Gibson Firebird III]:
Eddie Willis (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
guitar [Fender Telecaster with Jazzmaster Neck]:
Joe Messina (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
Hammond organ [B-3]:
Earl Van Dyke (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
tom-tom:
Richard "Pistol" Allen (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
Wurlitzer electric piano:
Johnny Griffith (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
background vocals:
The Andantes (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10), Marlene Barrow (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10), Louvain Demps (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10) and Jackie Hicks (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
lead vocals:
Marvin Gaye (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
orchestra:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
strings arranger:
Paul Riser (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
orchestrator:
Paul Riser (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1968)
recorded at and mixed at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 80), Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 93), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 119) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 307)
cover recording of:
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (from 1967-02-03 until 1967-04-10)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), EMI Songs Australia, EMI Songs Scandinavia AB, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobette-Carlin Music Ltd., Stone Agate Music, Stone Agate Music Division and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
Marvin Gaye3.73:16
9One Day in Your Life
producer:
Sam Brown
arranger:
Sam Brown
recording of:
One Day in Your Life
lyricist:
Samuel F. Brown III
composer:
Renée Armand
publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30), Jobete Music Co., Inc. (from 1974 to present) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Michael Jackson3.64:09
10My Girl
producer:
Smokey Robinson and Ronald White (soul singer, founding member of The Miracles)
bass:
James Jamerson (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
guitar:
Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
strings:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
background vocals:
Eddie Kendricks (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17), Otis Williams (US baritone singer, member of The Temptations & The Distants) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17) and Paul Williams (member of The Temptations) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
lead vocals:
David Ruffin (soul singer, member of The Temptations) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
performer:
The Temptations (Motown soul vocal group) (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
strings arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 3), Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1965 (recordings) (number: 11), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 43) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 88)
recording of:
My Girl (from 1964-09-25 until 1964-11-17)
lyricist:
Smokey Robinson
composer:
Smokey Robinson and Ronald White (soul singer, founding member of The Miracles)
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Music for Africa (South Africa), Poochum, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Temptations4.452:57
11Superstition
Moog programming and associate producer:
Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff
engineer:
Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff
producer:
Stevie Wonder
lead vocals:
Stevie Wonder
recording of:
Superstition
lyricist and composer:
Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music, 大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music), Jobete Music Co., Inc. (in 1972) and Stein & Van Stock, Inc. (in 1972)
Stevie Wonder4.654:01
12This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
producer:
Lamont Dozier, Holland–Dozier (with Brian Holland) and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recording of:
This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
writer:
Holland–Dozier–Holland
composer:
Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter) and Sylvia Moy
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.) and Stone Agate Music Division
The Isley Brothers4.252:47
13Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
producer:
Nickolas Ashford, Henry Cosby and Valerie Simpson
arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1970)
part of:
Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970 (number: 6)
cover recording of:
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
writer:
Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Songs, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.) and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd. and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
Diana Ross4.153:36
14Reach Out I’ll Be There
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (in 1966)
background vocals:
The Andantes (in 1966), Marlene Barrow (in 1966), Renaldo Benson (in 1966), Louvain Demps (in 1966), Abdul “Duke” Fakir (in 1966), Jackie Hicks (in 1966) and Lawrence Payton (in 1966)
lead vocals:
Levi Stubbs (in 1966)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (in 1966)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 78) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 206)
recording of:
Reach Out, I’ll Be There (in 1966)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
EMI Songs, EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Stone Agate Music Division, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Four Tops42:57
15You Can’t Hurry Love
recording engineer:
Russ Terrana
engineer:
Lamont Dozier
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
bass:
James Jamerson (on 1966-06-11)
brass [horns]:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (on 1966-06-11)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (on 1966-06-11)
guitar [Gibson L-5]:
Robert White (US funk/soul guitarist) (on 1966-06-11)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (on 1966-06-11)
piano:
Earl Van Dyke (on 1966-06-11)
tambourine:
Jack Ashford (American Label owner, producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger) (on 1966-06-11)
background vocals:
Florence Ballard (on 1966-07-05) and Mary Wilson (on 1966-07-05)
lead vocals:
Diana Ross (on 1966-07-05)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966) and Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 2015, in 2017)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown recording and mastering studios in Detroit, Michigan) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1966-06-11 until 1966-07-05)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 280)
recording of:
You Can’t Hurry Love (from 1966-06-11 until 1966-07-05)
writer:
Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter) and Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Jobete (now‐defunct US music publisher, affiliated with BMI), Jobete Music Co., Inc., Stone Agate Music Division, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. (in 1965) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Supremes4.752:47
16Heaven Must Have Sent You
recording of:
Heaven Must Have Sent You (on 1966-06-02)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Jobette-Carlin Music Ltd.
The Elgins22:33
17Let’s Get It On
engineer:
William McMeekin and Art Stewart
producer:
Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend
mixer:
Cal Harris
bass guitar:
Wilton Felder (on 1973-03-22)
bongos and congas:
Eddie “Bongo” Brown (on 1973-03-22) and Bobbye Hall (on 1973-03-22)
drums (drum set):
Paul Humphrey (jazz, r&b drummer) (on 1973-03-22)
guitar family:
Don Peake (on 1973-03-22), Louie Shelton (on 1973-03-22), David T. Walker (on 1973-03-22) and Melvin “Wah Wah” Watson (on 1973-03-22)
percussion:
Emil Richards (on 1973-03-22)
piano:
Marvin Gaye (on 1973-03-22), Marvin Jenkins (on 1973-03-22) and Joe Sample (on 1973-03-22)
saxophone:
Plas Johnson (on 1973-03-22) and Ernie Watts (Ernest James Watts, jazz and blues saxophonist) (on 1973-03-22)
vibraphone:
Victor Feldman (jazz musician) (on 1973-03-22) and Emil Richards (on 1973-03-22)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Marvin Gaye (on 1973-03-22)
conductor:
René Hall (on 1973-03-22)
recorded at:
Motown Studios - Hitsville West (recording and mastering studios in West Hollywood, CA) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1973-03-22)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 167) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 264)
recording of:
Let’s Get It On (on 1973-03-22)
writer:
Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend
publisher:
Cherritown Music Co., Inc., Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobete Music Ltd and Stone Diamond Music Corporation
Marvin Gaye4.054:54
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