The Anatomy Of A Hit:  My Girl

The Anatomy Of A Hit: My Girl

Author: Various Artists September 24, 2009 Duration: 10:29
The all-time classic Motown anthem "My Girl" is explored.

Marking a major milestone, Motown 50 captures the spirit of the legendary label's half-century. This podcast isn't just a retrospective; it's a collection of voices that built the sound itself. You'll hear directly from the founders, hitmakers, and iconic artists who defined an era, with conversations that feel more like private recollections than formal interviews. The series pulls from a rare archive, offering intimate discussions with figures like Berry Gordy, who envisioned it all, and songwriters like Smokey Robinson, who crafted its poetry. The stories of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and the groups like The Temptations and The Four Tops provide the personal backdrop to the timeless music. Even the raw energy of The Jackson 5 and the smooth funk of The Commodores find their place here. Notably, the reach of Motown's influence is highlighted by a conversation with hip-hop pioneer Q-Tip, connecting the dots between generations. Each episode of this podcast feels like uncovering a lost session tape or a backstage conversation, focusing on the people and the moments that turned a Detroit record company into a global heartbeat. It's a celebration told from the inside, perfect for anyone who wants to understand the humanity behind the hits. Listening to Motown 50, you get the sense of being in the room where history was made, one song at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 31

Motown 50
Podcast Episodes
Musings on Marvin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:44
The great American folk singer and guitarist Richie Havens shares his personal memories of the legendary artist Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye, would have celebrated his 70th birthday April 2.
The Anatomy Of A Hit:  Reach Out I'll Be There [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:33
Levi Stubbs and Lamont Dozier break down one of Motown’s biggest hits, the Four Tops’ worldwide smash “Reach Out I’ll Be There.”
The Temptations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:41
Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and fellow Temps discuss their beginnings and illustrious musical career in a rare archival interview from the 1980s.
Vintage Stevie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:39
In another rare archival interview, Stevie Wonder talks of his early days at Motown and the evolution of his music through the brilliant, then-new album Talking Book.
The Anatomy Of A Hit:  Shop Around [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:55
Smokey Robinson tells the amazing story about Motown’s — and his group the Miracles’ — first million-selling single.
The nation’s capitol, The Motortown Review and President Obama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:30
The New York Times political columnist Frank Rich links Motown to the upheaval of the 1960s through personal recollections of the Motortown Review in his native Washington, D.C., while adding perspective on the 2008 elec…
The Four Tops [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:22
The late Levi Stubbs, in a rare interview from the Motown Archives, talks about what made the Four Tops tick.
Impressions of Motown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:17
The multi-talented actor, musician, DJ, and producer shares his earliest impressions of Motown.
A Tour of Hitsville U.S.A., May 1963 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:19
On this rare interview Motown founder Berry Gordy and a Detroit radio host walk through Hitsville, on the cusp of the company’s runaway success.
Motown Reflections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:40
Smokey Robinson talks about the early days of the label, Berry Gordy and the Motown sound.