Oldies Music Mixtape 107: Motown80s

Motown80s

The Sound of Young America has always proven irresistible to English audiences, from the mod days of the Mid-Sixties to the Northern Soul obsession that continues today. So it was perhaps inevitable that the first generation of UK musicians weaned on Hitsville U.S.A. would make its influence felt in their own way by the early Eighties -- indeed, throughout the first half of the decade (and then some), a somewhat punked-up, even more danceable, modern update on the Motown sound was a radio staple on both sides of the sink. This list represents only the most popular takes on the chords, melodies, and rhythms of the Motor City's greatest achievement.

1. David Bowie, "Modern Love"
   Bowie's "Serious Moonlight" persona was boosted by this upbeat pledge to fidelity. Featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar!
2. Human League, "Mirror Man"
   These electropoppers had real soul, as evidenced by this note-perfect recreation of the Motown sound (albeit with synthesizers).
3. The Belle Stars, "Sign Of The Times"
   A girl group that never quite took off in the States, but not for lack of material.
4. JoBoxers, "Just Got Lucky"
   A little funkier than most, but it jumps right into the joyous chorus with both jittering feet. Makes getting laid seem transcendent.
5. Bananarama, "Shy Boy (Don't It Make You Feel Good)"
   As deadpan-blase as you'd expect a trio of models to be, but that just makes this girl-group homage work even better, somehow.
6. Culture Club, "Church Of The Poison Mind"
   A real rip-snorter, by Eighties pop standards, balancing Boy George's Smokey-like vocals against some rough backup.
7. Naked Eyes, "Always Something There To Remind Me"
   Technically a Bacharach remake, but that bouncy beat is a dead giveaway, even with the clattering syndrums and Wall of Sound bells.
8. Miami Sound Machine, "Bad Boy"
   The only American group on this list, offering a charming tribute to the wrong side of the romantic tracks.
9. Wham!, "Freedom"
   Not to be confused with his solo "Freedom '90," this proves that George Michael is a blue-eyed soul man par excellence.
10. Fine Young Cannibals, "Good Thing"
    The moddest hit in many a year, brimming with real, if understated, soul.
11. The Jam, "A Town Called Malice"
    Arguably the best marriage of Motown and punk, with an instrumental performance worthy of the Funk Brothers themselves.
12. Paul Young, "Tomb Of Memories"
    Sitar notwithstanding, the "new Rod Stewart" (as he was hyped) finds a perfect new-soul home here. Backing vocals by Squeeze's Difford and Tilbrook.
13. General Public, "Tenderness"
    Former ska band goes pop and comes up with a zingy little plea for world unity.
14. Phil Collins, "Two Hearts"
    Phil'd already scored with a note-perfect recreation of "You Can't Hurry Love," but this little victory is all his.
15. ABC, "When Smokey Sings"
    A lyrical, not merely musical, tribute to the miracle that was The Miracles.
16. Katrina and the Waves, "Walking On Sunshine"
    Very upbeat, but also very much in the spirit of Hitsville, especially given those horns.
17. Soft Cell, "Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go"
    Everyone knows the hit, but the original 12" version went right into a deadpan and somewhat cheerier take on the Supremes classic.