One of the legends at Motown, Lamont Dozier, passed away the other day at the age of 81. In fact he was considered an “icon” in the music industry writing some of the greatest songs of all time that have been featured in numerous movies and television shows.
With his song writing skills, Lamont Dozier helped establish such artists as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Four Tops and much more. If you’re not familiar with some of the great songs he’s responsible for,The Mike & Carla Morning Showshare some clips from those hits to jog the memory!
The song writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1988…couple of years later, they would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Listen to the segment from this morning and enjoy!
Lamont Dozier: 15 Songs He Co-Wrote That Everyone Knows
Detroit didn’t just put the world on wheels; it also made the world head to the dance floor thanks to Motown Records. Many of those hits that made the world dance were written by the songwriting trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
For The Supremes alone, Holland-Dozier-Holland wrote nine #1 hits. The songwriting trio also penned massive hits for The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye and more.
Dozier died yesterday (August 8) at age 81. In tribute, here are 15 songs written by Holland-Dozier-Holland everyone knows.
Martha and the Vandellas - 'Heat Wave'
“Heat Wave” peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Linda Ronstadt would cover the track in 1975. Her cover would peak on the Billboard Hot 100 at #5.
Marvin Gaye - 'Can I Get a Witness'
“Can I Get a Witness” was Gaye’s third top 40 hit in his career.
The Supremes - 'Where Did Our Love Go'
“Where Did Our Love Go” was the Supremes’ first #1 hit to top the Billboard Hot 100.
The Four Tops - 'Baby I Need Your Loving'
“Baby I Need Your Loving” was the Four Tops’ first single. It would peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'Baby Love'
“Baby Love” was the Supremes’ second #1 hit in their legendary career.
Marvin Gaye - 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)'
“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It would go on to be covered by James Taylor in 1975.
The Supremes - 'Come See About Me'
“Come See About Me” was The Supremes’ third consecutive #1 hit.
Martha and the Vandellas - 'Nowhere to Run'
“Nowhere to Run” would peak at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'Stop! in the Name of Love'
“Stop! in the Name of Love” was The Supremes’ fourth consecutive #1 hit.
The Four Tops - 'I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)'
“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” gave The Four Tops their first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'I Hear a Symphony'
“I Hear a Symphony” was the Supremes’ sixth #1 hit to top the Billboard Hot 100.
The Isley Brothers - 'This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)'
A top 20 hit for The Isley Brothers, “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” would later be covered by Rod Stewart in 1975. Stewart would re-record the track with Ronald Isley in 1989 and release it as a single. The track hit #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'You Can't Hurry Love'
“You Can’t Hurry Love” gave The Supremes their seventh #1 hit single.
The Four Tops - 'Reach Out I'll Be There'
“Reach Out I’ll Be There” also hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The classic track would later be covered by Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor and Michael Bolton.
The Supremes - 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'
“You Keep Me Hangin’ On” was the Supremes’ eighth #1 hit single. It would go on to be a hit two more times. Vanilla Fudge released their cover in 1967, and Kim Wilde would release her cover in 1986.
