Into The Vaults for Motown Summer

So I think I’ve got a game plan for keeping this thing rolling while I avoid going insane from keeping the high school kids in line. Basically, I’m going to update at least once a week, and focus on some of my favorite tracks from the unparalleled greatness that is the Motown Records catalog. What? No, of course this just isn’t an excuse to fend of homesickness—not entirely, anyway.

To start this one off right, I’ve got a real rarity for you all (I'm not quite far south enough to justify breaking out the y'all just yet). Perhaps the only thing better than a good cover song is the original version of a song that’s become so popular most people have long forgotten it was a cover. Such is the case with the classic piece of 80s pop that is Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” One of the great one hit wonders of all time, the song was actually a cover of a little known Motown track by Gloria Jones, presented here for your listening pleasure.

Gloria Jones- Tainted Love

I should probably also give credit where credit is due and note that this selection was in part sparked by the musical choice and ensuing commentary in my friend Monika’s livejournal. Tainted Love—song of a man/woman scorned, or treatise on global economic policy? You be the judge.

Marvin Gaye Evangelism

Gasp! Has it really been over a week since I’ve posted anything? Fear not, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, just gone to live in my personal Disneyland—Washington DC. I’m doing the intern thing, working with Presidential Classroom to shuffle a few thousand high school kids through out nation’s capitol, and make sure they stay out of trouble in the meantime. It’s kind of like being a camp counselor, but in the greatest city on earth instead of the middle of nowhere.

Anyhow, updates will be sporadic at best, as my schedule is pretty packed. Most of the people who are regulars here (the ones I know anyway) have their own summer adventures going, so I don’t think they’ll mind too much. While I had a moment, though, I thought I’d share a story.

I was hanging out in East Lansing last weekend, and a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) made a shameful admission, though she probably didn’t realize it at the time: she had never heard Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”. This, I should note, was my favorite song at four years old, in part because of those Claymation raisin commercials, but also because my parents had an old record of it that they would play for me, which never failed to get me to dance around the living room. Needless to say, I really felt sorry for her, as even with personal attachments aside, its one of the greatest songs ever written. As I sat there in shock, I wondered how many more of these people were out there… people who had never heard the iconic opening organ riff setting up that unforgettable groove that Marvin Gaye pours unheard of amounts of soul over. Clearly something had to be done. Tonight, out of the vault, I bring you a classic gem of the Motown catalog—enjoy it, be it your first time, or your hundredth.

Marvin Gaye- I Heard It Through The Grapevine

After writing this, I'm thinking a Motown summer for the next two months. How about it?