Motown music was a genre of popular music associated with the Detroit-based record label Motown Records. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959.
The Motown songs are well-known for their memorable hooks and relatable lyrics, which help them achieve a broad appeal. In this article, we will explore how the Motown songwriters changed the music industry.
The “Motown Sound”
The Motown sound was the signature music style created by Motown Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It perfectly blended the sacred and secular influences of black gospel, soul, and R&B with pop music.
Here are the key musical elements used by every Motown songwriter:
Rhythm Section
These songs featured a hard-hitting drum beat with a strong snare on beats two and four, accompanied by a melodic, syncopated bassline.
Percussion
The tambourine was the signature element of these sounds. It was often used in conjunction with the snare drum.
Melody and Harmony
These sounds had memorable and catchy melodies, supported by sophisticated vocal harmonies, including “oohs” and “shooby-doos”.
Arrangement
Motown music featured blaring horns and vibrant basslines, which contribute to a rich and soulful sound.
Bridging Cultural Divides
The Motown songwriters crafted lyrics that are focused on emotions and experiences common to everyone, such as love, hope, and resilience. The combination of infectious rhythms and melodies made the music appealing and danceable to a broad audience, transcending racial boundaries.
Moreover, Motown music had a natural crossover appeal, which was attractive to both black and white listeners, fostering integration through shared listening experiences. Its commercial success had proved that Black artists and producers can create viable and popular art, demonstrating that music can serve as a bridge across cultural divides.
Genre Fusion and Influence
The innovative fusion of genres with the Motown formula profoundly influenced countless subsequent genres and artists. Its impact is continuing to be recycled and perpetuated in popular music today.
The songwriters were mainly focused on creating melodies that were not only memorable but also easily recognizable. The precise musical arrangement and sophisticated instrumentation are the hallmark of the Motown sound.
Collaboration and Discipline
Motown fostered an environment of open communication among songwriters and producers. This collaboration led to songs of remarkable technical and emotional depth. It was combined with the high level of discipline and rework until a song was deemed satisfactory.
Moreover, Motown operated with specialised teams of songwriters, arrangers, engineers, and studio musicians who worked in a creative cluster. The overall system was so effective that it was described as a factory-within-a-factory.
Artist Development
Many songwriters and producers were integral to Motown’s comprehensive artist development program. They played a vital role in refining raw talent into polished, world-class entertainers. In addition to training in performance, they also focused on social grace, fashion, and dance.
The famous songwriters, such as Smokey Robinson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and Norman Whitfield, not only wrote hits but also contributed to developing the artists. These writers crafted songs suited to the artists’ voices and styles.
