Motown 50: Yesterday, Today, Forever

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

Annotation

Disc catalogue number: 5313465

Disc catalogue number: 5313466

Disc catalogue number: 5314537

Packaging is 4-section Gatefold Digipak in a card slip-case.

Annotation last modified on 2017-08-01 05:47 UTC.

Tracklist

1CD
2CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Superstition
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 Wonder4.54:02
2Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
producer:
Norman Whitfield
lead vocals:
Dennis Edwards (US soul & R’n’B singer) (in 1972), Damon Harris (in 1972) and Richard Street (in 1972)
conductor:
Paul Riser (in 1972)
arranger:
Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972) and Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 168) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 333)
cover recording of:
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (in 1972)
lyricist and composer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Stone Diamond Music Corporation, 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 Temptations46:52
3What’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) and UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 2020)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown Records) 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)
recording of:
What’s Going On (Japanese version)
writer:
Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland (songwriter 1930-1996) and Marvin Gaye
translator:
杉山清貴 (Kiyotaka Sugiyama)
translated version of:
What’s Going On
Marvin Gaye4.253:55
4Brick House
producer:
James Anthony Carmichael
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1977)
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 296)
recording of:
Brick House (original version)
lyricist:
William King (member of Commodores), Walter Orange and Lionel Richie
composer:
Ronald LaPread, Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie and Milan Williams
publisher:
Brenda Richie Publishing, Cambrae Music, Daddy Married a Golddigger, Drop Five, Hanna Music, Jobete Music Co., Inc., Libren Music, Old Fashion Publishing, Reservoir Media Music, 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)
Commodores3.73:36
5War
performer:
Edwin Starr
cover recording of:
War (on 1970-05-15)
writer:
Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
Edwin Starr4.253:22
6My 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 Records) 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 Temptations4.52:57
7The Tracks of My Tears
producer:
Bill “Smokey” Robinson
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1965)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 50) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 54)
recording of:
The Tracks of My Tears (on 1965-05-19)
writer:
Warren “Pete” Moore, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Tarplin
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd.
recording of:
The Tracks of My Tears (on 1971-05-06)
writer:
Warren “Pete” Moore, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Tarplin
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles4.252:52
8Endless Love
recording engineer:
Reggie Dozier
producer:
Lionel Richie
mixer:
Guy Costa
additional guest performer:
Diana Ross
arranger:
Gene Page
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1981)
part of:
Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 20)
recording of:
Endless Love
lyricist and composer:
Lionel Richie
publisher:
Brockman Music, Café Americana Inc., PGP Music, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner Chappell Music Publishing (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.) and Warner/Chappell North America
part of:
The 54th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie3.54:27
9Easy
producer:
James Anthony Carmichael and Commodores (US funk/soul band with Lionel Richie)
arranger:
James Anthony Carmichael and Commodores (US funk/soul band with Lionel Richie)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1977), Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1977), Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1977) and Universal International Music B.V. (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 2009)
recording of:
Easy
lyricist and composer:
Lionel Richie
publisher:
Brenda Richie Publishing, EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Libren Music
Commodores3.754:19
10Reflections
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
recording of:
Reflections
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
EMI Songs, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), 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) and Stone Agate Music (in 1967)
Diana Ross & The Supremes2:51
11Reach 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 Records) 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
12Let’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 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:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobete Music Ltd and Stone Diamond Music Corporation
Marvin Gaye4.14:54
13What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
producer:
William "Mickey" Stevenson (Motown songwriter)
recording of:
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
writer:
James Dean (US soul songwriter), Paul Riser and William Weatherspoon
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and Jobete Music (UK)
Jimmy Ruffin4.652:56
14Got to Be There
producer:
Hal Davis
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (from 1970-06 until 1970-07)
arranger:
Dave Blumberg
recording of:
Got to Be There (from 1971-06 until 1971-07)
lyricist and composer:
Elliot Willensky
vocals arranger:
Willie Hutch
Michael Jackson33:20
15Being With You
assistant engineer:
Richie Griffin
engineer:
Howard Lee Wolen and Mark Wolfson
producer:
George Tobin
mixer:
Mike Piccirillo and George Tobin
arranger:
George Tobin
recorded at and mixed at:
Studio Sound Recorders in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Being With You
lyricist and composer:
Smokey Robinson
publisher:
Bertram Music Company, Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.), Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Primary Wave Robinson
Smokey Robinson3.653:58
16I’m Still Waiting
producer:
Hal Davis and Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer)
arranger:
Gene Page and Paul Riser
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1967) and Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 2015)
recording of:
I’m Still Waiting
lyricist and composer:
Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer)
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc.
Diana Ross33:46
17Sir Duke
programming:
Charles Brewer, John Fischbach and Stevie Wonder
producer:
Stevie Wonder
alto saxophone:
Hank Redd
bass guitar:
Nathan Watts
drums (drum set):
Raymond Pounds
guitar:
Ben Bridges and Michael Sembello
percussion, Rhodes piano and lead vocals:
Stevie Wonder
tenor saxophone:
Trevor Lawrence (70s–90s saxophonist & producer, father of Trevor Lawrence Jr.)
trumpet:
Steve Madaio and Raymond Maldonado
arranger:
Stevie Wonder
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1976) and Island Records (NOT for release label use! A division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 2022)
recording of:
Sir Duke
lyricist and composer:
Stevie Wonder
publisher:
Black Bull Music and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
Stevie Wonder4.553:54
18Love Machine
recording of:
Love Machine
lyricist and composer:
Billy Griffin and Warren Moore
horn and strings arranger:
Wade Marcus
publisher:
Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty. Ltd. and Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09)
The Miracles2:54
19All Night Long (All Night)
producer:
James Anthony Carmichael and Lionel Richie
brass [horn] arranger and strings [string] arranger:
James Anthony Carmichael
arranger:
James Anthony Carmichael and Lionel Richie
vocals arranger:
Lionel Richie
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1983) and Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 1983)
recording of:
All Night Long (All Night)
lyricist and composer:
Lionel Richie
publisher:
Brenda Richie Publishing, Brockman Music and Rondor Music (Australia) Pty Ltd
Lionel Richie3.44:14
20Love Hangover
producer:
Hal Davis
arranger:
Dave Blumberg and Clay Drayton
recording of:
Love Hangover
writer:
Marilyn McLeod (soul/jazz singer and songwriter) and Pam Sawyer (British‐born American lyricist and songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.) and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
Diana Ross3.253:52
3CD