Detroitist’s Valentine’s Day playlist of some of the best Motown hits is not just for the lovers or Valentine’s Day. It’s intended to bring soul back into your life and even bring comfort if your heart is still aching from a breakup/separation. Romance has a colorful sound just like Motown’s “soft 60s”. A song takes time to develop and so does a slow-burning love.
Count your blessings and tell the people around you how much they mean to you. Even if you’re not romantically involved with anyone this year, February is a fun time to get groups together. Gather the girls for a night out (or in)! Valentine’s Day also reminds us to take extra care of ourselves first.
We’ve curated a Detroitisit’s Valentine’s Day playlist to be there for you in celebrating love and to provide an extra slice of good times past.
ARETHA FRANKLIN-FREEWAY OF LOVE
Detroit’s own timeless “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin is no longer with us, but her countless hits are here to stay. Detroitisit’s Valentine’s Day playlist includes Aretha Franklin as many Detroit playlists do because of her legacy. The 80s are very much alive with this R&B dance-pop song that was released as the lead single of Aretha Franklin’s thirtieth studio album, Who’s Zoomin’ Who? Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band is just as much of a star as Aretha on this track.
THE TEMPTATIONS-MY GIRL
It’s no question that we’d include this Motown classic everyone knows for Detroitist’s Valentine’s Day playlist. “My Girl” by The Temptations is a 1964 song, written and produced by the Miracles members, Smokey Robinson and Ronald White. Did you know that the song was inspired by Robinson’s wife? Another Gordy record label masterpiece, this adoring song became the Temptations’ first U.S. number 1 single. Dedicate this song to someone special or simply immerse yourself in one of Motown’s best stripped down melodies.
DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES AND THE TEMPTATIONS-I’M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME
Detroitisit’s Valentine’s Day playlist Make this Valentine’s Day a “supreme” declaration of undying love with two of the best Motown groups. Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations got together to record a signature love song. This was the lead single, released in November 1968. It was written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Jerry Ross.
MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS-YOU’VE BEEN IN LOVE TOO LONG
If you want to feel like a song is really speaking to your heart, then take a listen to this classic yearning love song. Detroitisit’s Valentine’s Day playlist of the best Motown love songs includes “You’ve Been in Love Too Long” (1965). This was a dance single from the start and was meant for these ladies. There are too many “bops” released by this fantastic Motown girl group to choose from. It’s worth cruising through the others in a playlist of their own! Be confronted by this beautiful masterpiece and make your next move.
STEVIE WONDER-I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU
It’s essential to include Stevie Wonder in a playlist of Motown love songs and the classic Detroit sound in general. His tenderness and transcending talent lives on. Get ready to have your heartstrings tangled with this undeniably raw confessional tune. The ballad, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” was written, produced, and performed by Stevie Wonder. The R&B singer and songwriter helped raise this song to a major international hit. Sing along and tell someone you love them with Wonder’s best-selling single to date.
MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS-NOWHERE TO RUN
Martha and The Vandellas are coming in hot once again with a twist on Detroitist’s Valentine’s Day playlist. The best Motown love songs include several standouts in these legendary stars’ musical careers. The 1965 song, “Nowhere to Run ” is one of the group’s signature songs! Shake your body and get lost in the lyrics accompanied by a vibrant vocal & instrumental arrangement.
THE CONTOURS-DO YOU LOVE ME
Detroitist’s Valentine’s Day playlist, containing the sweetest mixture of Motown love songs helps keep our hearts open. Remain open to the idea of mutual love and boldly moving things forward with rhythm and blues. We’re adding this R&B song written and composed by Berry Gordy that was first recorded by The Contours. The Gordy Records label hit “Do You Love Me”, was the Contours’ only Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. This record achievement appeared twice on the charts! Listen to this hit over and over.
ARETHA FRANKLIN FT. GEORGE MICHAEL-I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)
Detroitist’s Valentine’s Day Playlist of the best Motown love songs will throw you for a loop. Put these love songs and heartache hits on repeat. We had to include another piece of gold from Aretha’s archives, so take a good listen to Franklin and the late, English singer George Michael on this magical duet from 1987. “I Knew you Were Waiting” is a timeless dance-pop song that was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom. Lock eyes with your lover and boogie your way through the night on Valentine’s Day.
As always, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on all things Detroit and more.
