For its 60th anniversary year, Universal Music Enterprises has begun reminding fans that "Motown Did It First"; now, the label that launched The Sound Of Young America is revisiting a box set that was released in celebration of its 50th anniversary a decade ago. Motown: The Complete No. 1s is being reissued and expanded on June 28.
Motown: The Complete No. 1s featured more than 200 international chart-toppers, plus a handful of bonus masters that went to No. 1 through cover versions or samples. And the packaging was a delight: the discs were housed in five digipaks, all carried in an intricate replica of 2648 West Grand Boulevard - the Detroit building that served as the label's first office and studio space (and today is open to the public as The Motown Museum).
That packaging, including display slides for the box's front windows and a 100-page book of track annotations and an introduction from Motown legend Smokey Robinson, is replicated for the new reissue. Adding to the fun is a six-track bonus disc featuring more notable cuts from Motown's history: both The Miracles' and The Jackson 5's versions of "Who's Lovin' You," both of which served as B-sides to chart-topping singles; The J5's killer rendition of holiday favorite "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"; Stevie Wonder's mid-'90s adult R&B chart-topper "For Your Love"; and recent remixes of several Diana Ross classics, which have topped Billboard's dance charts in the past two years.
It's all part of an ongoing 60th anniversary celebration of Berry Gordy's pivotal record label, which will be celebrated this weekend with MOTOWN 60: A GRAMMY® Celebration, airing this Sunday at 8pm EST on CBS. In the meantime, pre-order the new Motown: The Complete No. 1s box below and check out the full track list.
Motown: The Complete No. 1s - Expanded Edition (originally released as Motown/UMe B0012208-02, 2009 - reissued Motown/UMe, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Disc 1
- Shop Around - The Miracles (featuring Bill "Smokey" Robinson) / U.S. R&B
- Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes / U.S. Pop
- Do You Love Me - The Contours / U.S. R&B
- You Beat Me To the Punch - Mary Wells / U.S. R&B
- Two Lovers - Mary Wells / U.S. R&B
- You've Really Got a Hold On Me - The Miracles / U.S. R&B
- Fingertips-Part 2 - Little Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Heat Wave - Martha & The Vandellas / U.S. R&B
- The Way You Do The Things You Do - The Temptations / U.S. R&B*
- My Guy - Mary Wells / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Australia
- Where Did Our Love Go - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B* - Canada
- Baby Love - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B* - U.K.
- Come See About Me - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - Canada
- My Girl - The Temptations / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Shotgun - Jr. Walker & the All-Stars / U.S. R&B
- Stop! In The Name of Love - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B*
- I'll Be Doggone - Marvin Gaye / U.S. R&B
- Back In My Arms Again - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Canada
- I Can't Help Myself - Four Tops / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- I Hear a Symphony - The Supremes / U.S. Pop
- Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye / U.S. R&B
- Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B
- Get Ready - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Dancing In The Street - Martha & The Vandellas (#1 cover version by David Bowie and Mick Jagger: U.K. - Australia - Canada - Ireland - Netherlands) +
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Marvin Gaye (#1 cover version by James Taylor: U.S. Adult Contemporary - Canada) +
- This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) - Isley Brothers (#1 cover version by Rod Stewart with Ronald Isley: U.S. Adult Contemporary) +
- Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) - Marvin Gaye (#1 cover version by Paul Young: U.K.) +
Disc 2
- Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Blowin' In The Wind - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B
- You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.K.
- You Keep Me Hangin' On - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- (I Know) I'm Losing You - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game - The Marvelettes / U.S. R&B*
- Love Is Here and Now You're Gone - The Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Canada
- Jimmy Mack - Martha & the Vandellas / U.S. R&B
- The Happening - The Supremes / U.S. Pop
- I Was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Gladys Knight & The Pips / U.S. R&B
- I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles / U.S. R&B
- I Wish It Would Rain - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B
- Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell / U.S. R&B
- I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- You're All I Need To Get By - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell / U.S. R&B
- Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes / U.S. Pop - Canada
- For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop*/**
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.K.
- I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B*
- What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin (#1 cover versions by Paul Young: U.S. Adult Contemporary / and by Robson & Jerome (in medley): U.K.) +
- You've Made Me So Very Happy - Brenda Holloway (#1 cover version by Blood, Sweat & Tears: Canada) +
Disc 3
- Runaway Child, Running Wild - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Too Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye / U.S. R&B
- What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars / U.S. R&B
- I Can't Get Next To You - The Temptations / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Baby I'm For Real - The Originals / U.S. R&B
- Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross & the Supremes / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- I Want You Back - The Jackson 5 / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday - Stevie Wonder / Norway
- ABC - The Jackson 5 / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) - Diana Ross / U.S. R&B**
- It's All In The Game - Four Tops / U.S. R&B*
- The Love You Save - The Jackson 5 / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Get Ready - Rare Earth / Canada
- Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) - The Temptations / U.S. Pop* - U.S. R&B*
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop** - U.S. R&B
- War - Edwin Starr / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B*/** - Canada
- The Tears Of a Clown (U.K. Version) - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles / U.K.
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- I'll Be There - The Jackson 5 / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Heaven Help Us All - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B**
- The Tears Of a Clown (U.S. Version) - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Stoned Love - The Supremes / U.S. R&B
- If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & The Pips / U.S. R&B
Disc 4
- Mama's Pearl - The Jackson 5 / U.S. R&B*
- Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) - The Temptations / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- What's Going On - Marvin Gaye / U.S. Pop* - U.S. R&B
- Never Can Say Goodbye - The Jackson 5 / U.S. R&B
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Marvin Gaye / U.S. R&B
- I'm Still Waiting - Diana Ross / U.K. - Ireland
- Smiling Faces Sometimes - The Undisputed Truth / U.S. R&B**
- Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye / U.S. R&B
- Got To Be There - Michael Jackson / U.S. Pop* - U.S. R&B*
- Rockin' Robin - Michael Jackson / U.S. Pop*
- I Wanna Be Where You Are - Michael Jackson / U.S. R&B*/**
- Ben - Michael Jackson / U.S. Pop - Australia
- Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B*/**
- Superstition - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) - Gladys Knight & The Pips / U.S. Pop** - U.S. R&B
- Masterpiece - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Touch Me In The Morning - Diana Ross / U.S. Pop - U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
Disc 5
- Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop** - U.S. R&B
- Keep On Truckin' (Part 1) - Eddie Kendricks / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Living For The City - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B
- Let Your Hair Down - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Boogie Down - Eddie Kendricks / U.S. Pop** - U.S. R&B
- Last Time I Saw Him - Diana Ross / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Dancing Machine - The Jackson 5 / U.S. Pop*/** - U.S. R&B
- Do It Baby - The Miracles / U.S. R&B*/**
- You Haven't Done Nothin' - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Canada
- Boogie On Reggae Woman - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop** - U.S. R&B
- Happy People - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Shoeshine Boy - Eddie Kendricks / U.S. R&B
- Shakey Ground - The Temptations / U.S. R&B
- Baby That's Backatcha - Smokey Robinson / U.S. R&B
- Slippery When Wet - The Commodores / U.S. R&B
- Forever Came Today - The Jackson 5 / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Walk Away From Love - David Ruffin / U.S. R&B
- Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) - Diana Ross / U.S. Pop
- Devil In The Bottle - T.G. Sheppard / U.S. Country
- Tryin' To Beat The Morning Home - T.G. Sheppard / U.S. Country
Disc 6
- Love Machine (Part 1) - The Miracles / U.S. Pop
- Love Hangover - Diana Ross / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Dance/Disco
- I Want You - Marvin Gaye / U.S. R&B
- Just To Be Close To You - The Commodores / U.S. R&B
- Down To Love Town - The Originals / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Dance/Disco
- I Wish - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Canada
- Got To Give It Up - Marvin Gaye / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Dance/Disco
- Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Canada
- Easy - The Commodores / U.S. R&B
- You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On) - High Inergy / U.S. R&B**
- Too Hot Ta Trot - The Commodores / U.S. R&B
- You and I - Rick James / U.S. R&B
- Three Times a Lady - The Commodores / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.K. - Australia - Canada - Ireland
- The Boss - Diana Ross / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Sail On - The Commodores / U.S. Pop**
- Still - The Commodores / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B
- Send One Your Love - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Pastime Paradise - Stevie Wonder (#1 cover/rap version by Coolio featuring L.V., as "Gangsta's Paradise": U.S., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland) +
Disc 7
- Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson / U.S. Pop*
- Let's Get Serious - Jermaine Jackson / U.S. R&B
- I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Upside Down - Diana Ross / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Dance/Disco - Australia - Norway - Switzerland
- Master Blaster (Jammin') - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B - Austria - Switzerland
- Being With You - Smokey Robinson / U.S. Pop** - U.S. R&B - U.K.
- Give It To Me Baby - Rick James / U.S. R&B - U.S. Dance/Disco
- Super Freak - Rick James / U.S. Dance/Disco
- One Day In Your Life - Michael Jackson / U.K. - Ireland
- Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Adult Contemporary - Australia - Canada
- Lady (You Bring Me Up) - The Commodores / New Zealand
- That Girl - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop* - U.S. R&B
- Let It Whip - Dazz Band / U.S. R&B
- I've Never Been To Me - Charlene / U.K. - Australia - Canada - Ireland
- Do I Do - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Lately - Stevie Wonder (#1 cover version by Jodeci: U.S. R&B) +
Disc 8
- Truly - Lionel Richie / U.S. Pop - U.S. Adult Contemporary - Canada
- You Are - Lionel Richie / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- My Love - Lionel Richie / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- All This Love - DeBarge / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Cold Blooded - Rick James / U.S. R&B
- All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Adult Contemporary - Australia - Canada -Netherlands
- Time Will Reveal - DeBarge / U.S. R&B
- Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell / U.S. R&B
- Hello - Lionel Richie / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.K. - Australia - Ireland - Netherlands - Switzerland
- Stuck On You - Lionel Richie / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Adult Contemporary - U.K. - Australia - Austria - Canada - France - Germany - Ireland - Netherlands - Norway - Switzerland
- Penny Lover - Lionel Richie / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Nightshift - The Commodores / U.S. R&B - Netherlands
- In My House - Mary Jane Girls / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Rhythm Of The Night - DeBarge / U.S. R&B - U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Glow - Rick James / U.S. Dance/Disco
- You Wear It Well - El DeBarge with DeBarge / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Don't Look Any Further - Dennis Edwards featuring Seidah Garrett (#1 cover version by Kane Gang: U.S. Dance/Disco) +
Disc 9
- Part-Time Lover - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.S. Adult Contemporary - U.S. Dance/Disco - Canada - Ireland
- Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Canada - Norway - Switzerland
- Go Home - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Dance/Disco - U.S. Adult Contemporary
- If You Should Ever Be Lonely - Val Young / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Overjoyed - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Who's Johnny - El DeBarge / U.S. R&B
- Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Richie / Norway
- Love Will Conquer All - Lionel Richie / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Ballerina Girl - Lionel Richie / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Just To See Her - Smokey Robinson / U.S. Adult Contemporary
- Tina Cherry - Georgio / U.S. Dance/Disco
- Skeletons - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B
- You Will Know - Stevie Wonder / U.S. R&B
- Dial My Heart - The Boys / U.S. R&B
- Lucky Charm - The Boys / U.S. R&B
- Girl I Got My Eyes On You - Today / U.S. R&B
- Where Do We Go From Here - Stacey Lattisaw with special guest Johnny Gill / U.S. R&B
- Dreamin' - The Guinn Family (#1 cover version by Vanessa Williams: U.S. R&B) +
Disc 10
- Rub You The Right Way - Johnny Gill / U.S. R&B
- My My My - Johnny Gill / U.S. R&B
- Crazy - The Boys / U.S. R&B
- Wrap My Body Tight - Johnny Gill / U.S. R&B
- It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday - Boyz II Men / U.S. R&B
- I Love Your Smile - Shanice / U.S. R&B
- Uhh Ahh - Boyz II Men / U.S. R&B
- Do It To Me - Lionel Richie / U.S. R&B
- End of The Road - Boyz II Men / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - U.K. - Australia - Ireland
- I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men / U.S. Pop - U.S. R&B - Australia - Canada
- On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men / U.S. Pop
- Take Me Higher - Diana Ross / U.S. Dance/Disco
- 4 Seasons Of Loneliness - Boyz II Men / U.S. Pop
- A Song For Mama - Boyz II Men / U.S. R&B
- Stay - The Temptations / U.S. Adult R&B
- Liar - Profyle / U.S. R&B
- Bag Lady - Erykah Badu / U.S. R&B
Disc 11 (new to this set)
- Who's Lovin' You - The Miracles
- Who's Lovin' You - The Jackson 5 (each B-sides of #1 hits, a unique chart accomplishment; #1 cover version by En Vogue (acapella intro to "Hold On") / U.S. R&B - Dance Club)
- Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - The Jackson 5 / U.S. Holiday
- For Your Love - Stevie Wonder / U.S. Adult R&B
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough (2017 Remix) - Diana Ross / U.S. Dance Club
- I'm Coming Out/Upside Down (2018 Mix) - Diana Ross / U.S. Dance Club
All U.S. chart positions taken from Billboard, except * (Cash Box) and ** (Record World). + denotes original bonus tracks.
Dirk says
Are these the original mono hit singles or the stereo takes? They released the series the complete Motown singles with original mono versions
Mike Duquette says
Hey Dirk! Assuming the CDs haven't been dramatically remastered from their original release in 2009, everything should be in stereo. The set is definitely more of a "mainstream" product than a hardcore fan piece (if I recall correctly, mileage kinda varied on which songs were even single edits - I don't believe Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" or Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" were, for instance - but if you're looking for a compendium of Motown music in a cool package, it's hard to think of a better box set. I got it for my birthday when it came out, six months before The Second Disc started - I'm kind of feeling nostalgic today, I assure you! :D)
Mike says
A $170 11 disc box set is more of a "mainstream" product than a hardcore fan piece?
Perhaps from a streaming perspective, but the physical product certainly isn't an impulse buy for very many people that aren't massive fans or collectors.
Mark Bumgardner says
Nice catch on this. I pre-ordered it (no brainer). I can't imagine that they'll honor that price (I'm guessing it was supposed to be $249.00), but we'll wait and see.
Mark Bumgardner says
Looks like I over estimated what the correct price is - $170, not $249. It will be interesting to see if the $24.99 price will be honored.
Mitchell says
I know this is a big ask, but does anyone know how this set overlaps the 14 volumes of Complete Motown Singles sets released in the past?
Rob Maurer says
I can say for sure, anything post-1972 is exclusive to this set since the last volume of the Complete Motown Singles ended in 1972.
Other than that, if Mike's recollection is correct above, then the Complete Motown Singles sets will have proper single versions and mono where this set will not, necessarily.
Rob Maurer says
I suppose this is a good get for anyone who missed out on the original release. Otherwise, a six-track bonus disc does not make this a must-rebuy in my book.
Rob Wilson says
i would pass, you would think they would use all the 7"/radio edits available for the songs and just make the "cover inspirations" a bonus disc in itself.