Got Soul? Find Out With This Motown Quiz

“Shop Around” written by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy Jr. was released in 1960. It was a landmark for Motown, becoming its first million-selling song after spending eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song reflects the advice of a mother to her son that to find love, he needs to “shop around.” The record inspired the 1987 answer song by Smokey Robinson, “It's Time to Stop Shopping Around.”

The Four Tops got together in 1954 and worked with a number of labels before finding success with Motown Records. Their first No. 1 hit came in 1965 with “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).” Other memorable tracks from the group include 1965’s “It’s the Same Old Song” and 1966’s “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” The Four Tops had a long and successful career spanning more than 40 years and maintaining their original lineup.

Smokey Robinson began working with Berry Gordy Jr. in 1957, and Robinson’s band, the Miracles, was one of the first acts signed to Motown Records. Robinson also enjoyed solo success and in the mid-1960s, he became vice president of the label. In 1959, Robinson married Miracles band member Claudette Rogers, and the pair had two children: Berry, named after Berry Gordy Jr., and Tamla, named after a subsidiary label of Motown.

“Dancing in the Street” was released by Martha and the Vandellas in 1964 in the midst of the civil rights movement, when campaigners were attempting to get as many Black voters as possible registered in Mississippi. The upbeat song was seen as a rallying cry for young African Americans to take to the streets and protest for their civil rights.

Berry Gordy Jr.’s first success as a songwriter came in 1957, when he co-wrote Jackie Wilson’s hit record “Reet Petite” with his sister Gwen and friend Billy Davis. The profits made from the song helped Gordy to launch Motown Records. Gordy continued to write for Wilson, as well as other artists including Diana Ross, the Miracles, and the Jackson 5.

“I Heard it Through the Grapevine” was written in 1966 by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records. The song was first released in 1967 by Gladys Knight & The Pips to moderate success. One year later, the Miracles featured the song on their album “Special Occasion.” The third time proved to be a charm when Marvin Gaye’s 1968 rendition became a huge hit for Motown, spending seven weeks at No. 1.

Berry Gordy Jr. originally wanted to name his business Tammy Records, after a Debbie Reynolds song. The name was already taken, so he changed it to Motown, but Tamla Records remained one of its most popular labels (though the evolution of the name to “Tamla” is unclear). The label’s last single, “Love Will Set You Free” by Smokey Robinson, was released in 1986.

The Andantes don’t have the same level of fame as the Marvelettes or the Supremes, but if you’re a Motown fan, you’ve probably heard their voices. They sang backup for plenty of Motown artists, including Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross. The group wanted to record their own album, but because Motown was busy promoting so many other already successful artists, the Andantes took a back seat.

The Beatles and the Rolling Stones both covered many Motown songs, their versions becoming worldwide hits. However, despite the closeness of the two British bands, they rarely covered the same songs. Even today, “Money (That’s What I Want)” is the only song ever recorded by both British bands.

The Supremes first signed to Motown in 1961, but they didn’t find success straight away. In 1964, they recorded “Where Did Our Love Go” at Motown’s Detroit studio. The song went on to become their first No. 1 hit and the first of five consecutive No. 1 songs for the group. The band was Motown’s most commercially successful group, racking up 12 No 1. songs on the Billboard Hot 100 during their career.

Motown has had its share of Grammy winners, but “Cloud Nine” started it all, taking home the award for Best Rhythm and Blues Group Performance in 1969. Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield wrote the song, as well as The Temptations’ “I Can’t Get Next to You” and “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” which won three Grammys in 1972.

Mary Wells’ fame predates that of most Motown artists. She earned her nickname “Queen of Motown” after several of her songs reached the Billboard Hot 100. But she didn’t get there through luck. She cornered Berry Gordy Jr. and made him listen to her sing a song she’d written. She helped shape the personality of Motown through her strong presence and early success.

Formed in 1969, the Corporation was a group of songwriters and producers who created early Motown hits for the Jackson 5, including “I Want You Back, “ABC,” and “The Love You Save.” The group consisted of Berry Gordy Jr., Freddie Perren, Fonce Mizell, and Deke Richards. It is believed that Berry created the Corporation so that there would be less arguing about creative credit among the team.

“Please Mr. Postman,” the first single by the popular Motown girl group the Marvelettes, hit the top of the chart in 1961. Other artists, including The Beatles, would eventually cover the hit song. When the Carpenters covered it in 1974, it returned to the top of the charts and was voted the U.K.’s favorite song by the duo.

Berry Gordy Jr. almost didn’t work with the Jackson 5. He didn’t want to record with kids, even if they were talented. But the Jackson 5 proved a lucrative investment, bringing in four consecutive No. 1 hits on their debut album and many more after it. Their single, “I’ll Be There,” even surpassed Marvin Gaye’s previous record-holder in sales, selling 6.2 million copies worldwide.

Stevie Wonder’s first recording at 11 years old was only the beginning of the singer’s stardom. Blind since infancy, Wonder taught himself multiple instruments, including the piano, by the time he turned 10. After getting discovered by the Miracles, he released his first album in 1962. He went on to record hits such as “For Once In My Life,” “Signed Sealed Delivered,” "Superstition,” and so many more.

When Motown was established by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959, he named it in honor of his home city’s nickname, “Motor City.” The company headquarters was established at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, and due to the huge number of talented songwriters and musicians based there, it became known as “Hitsville”. Although the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972, Detroit will forever be considered the home of Motown.

Berry Gordy Jr. had big plans for Motown from the beginning. He bought a building at 2648 West Grand Avenue for an administrative office and a studio, then he put up a huge sign that read “Hitsville U.S.A” to let all of Detroit know what to expect.

There’s Diana Ross, Steve Wonder, and Marvin Gaye, but when it comes to Motown Records, no name is bigger than Berry Gordy Jr. The young songwriter launched his own record company in Detroit in 1959 (at the urging of Smokey Robinson), and it became a driving force of pop music. As a Black-owned and Black-centered business in the 1960s, Motown changed the face of music and Detroit.

“Let’s Get it On” was released by Marvin Gaye in 1973 and became his most successful single for Motown. The track was co-written with producer Ed Townsend, but Gaye changed the lyrics from its original religious focus to make it a song about sexual freedom. Part of the song’s success is down to Gaye’s incredible sultry vocal performance, which helped solidified his reputation as a sex symbol.