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This is a topic from the Before the 1970's forum on inthe00s.
Subject: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: Tony20fan4ever on 08/06/05 at 9:07 pm
Were Marvin Gaye and The Temptations the first Motown stars to sing socially conscious stuff?
I remember "What's Going On" making a big splash because of it...
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: Paul on 08/07/05 at 10:33 am
That's probably the best known example, but the Temptations really kicked started things with 'Cloud Nine' in late '68...
Not a 'recording' artist as such, but Motown did release of a couple of LPs of Dr Martin Luther King's speeches ('Great March On Washington' and 'Great March To Freedom' - the latter including the famous 'I Have A Dream' speech), way back in 1963...
Modified to add...just remembered another socially-conscious one - 'Love Child' by Diana Ross & The Supremes, just a wee bit before that above Temptations number...
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: CatwomanofV on 08/07/05 at 1:12 pm
Not too sure which one was "first" but the one that comes to my mind is the Temps' "Ball of Confusion"
Cat
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: Paul on 08/07/05 at 1:14 pm
Not too sure which one was "first" but the one that comes to my mind is the Temps' "Ball of Confusion"
A real kicker, that one...some strong lyrics in that...
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: CatwomanofV on 08/07/05 at 1:17 pm
A real kicker, that one...some strong lyrics in that...
I think in many ways, the song still holds true today.
Cat
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: Paul on 08/07/05 at 1:25 pm
I think in many ways, the song still holds true today.
Indeed it does...
There's also another good example, although this was late in the day ('71)...
Tom Clay's 'What The World Needs Now/Abraham Martin & John', which is basically a montage of sound clips pasted over a instrumental backing...
Some of the sound clips include Martin Luther King's speeches, and the assassination of Bobby Kennedy - used to great effect, it's a very thought-provoking record...worth getting hold of...
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: Tony20fan4ever on 08/09/05 at 6:41 pm
I don't know whether "Reach Out And Touch(Somebody's Hand)" would fit as a social-conscious tune...but it has a positive message.
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: cnbpjb on 08/15/05 at 8:36 pm
I think one Motown tune actually pre-dates all of the ones mentioned, by several years.
I would actually say that the first socially conscious Motown tune was actually, "Dancing In The Street" by Martha (Reeve) & the Vandellas back in 1964!!! 8)
Why would I write that, well, because you know what that song was really in reference to, don't you?
Well it really isn't about dancing, it's about the Civil Rights protest. Listen to the original version of this song, by Martha & the Vandellas and listen to the cities that they mention and think of Civil Rights protest that were going on (and even some of the riots that were just about to occur or already had). And don't forget the Civil Rights movement wasn't just based in the south.
Subject: Re: When did Motown artists/music become 'socially conscious'?
Written By: Tony20fan4ever on 08/15/05 at 9:00 pm
That's probably the best known example, but the Temptations really kicked started things with 'Cloud Nine' in late '68...
Not a 'recording' artist as such, but Motown did release of a couple of LPs of Dr Martin Luther King's speeches ('Great March On Washington' and 'Great March To Freedom' - the latter including the famous 'I Have A Dream' speech), way back in 1963...
Modified to add...just remembered another socially-conscious one - 'Love Child' by Diana Ross & The Supremes, just a wee bit before that above Temptations number...
How about the Temptations' "Runaway Child,Runnin' Wild"...there is still a huge problem with kids running away from home even now...