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30 Motown Must-Haves For A Fun Vibe To Your Wedding Playlist

07 May 2017

The music of Motown continues to be a mainstay even in 2017 on wedding playlists all over Charleston. Depending on your selections, multiple vibes can be created by adding some of these Motown tracks into your wedding playlist. That vibe is timeless and can be enjoyed by all ages and is a safe bet for your DJ to throw into the mix. Whether you want to sprinkle some slower songs in during dinner, make a popular Motown song choice for your father / daughter dance, or get the party cranked with fun and happy-go-lucky Motown party favorites, Motown is an excellent choice. It makes for that classic Charleston wedding sound, whether you are at an elegant reception at the Daniel Island Club, the Creek Club at I'on or an intimate affair at the Historic Rice Mill. As one of the best Charleston wedding DJs, the songs that you see listed on this post are some of the most popular over my years as a DJ. If you are looking for that Motown vibe, consider adding some of these songs into your playlist.

Looking to sample of the greatest Motown songs ever for your wedding playlist? Feel free to follow me on Spotify. Just do a search for DJ Mike Bills, and check out these songs there, or you can scroll through this post and click on the title of each song for the link to hear the song on You Tube.

"My Guy" | Mary Wells 
A wonderful voice of early 60s Motown, I've seen a lot of Charleston brides throw this song in for "their" guy. The song was actually written by the great Smokey Robinson.  Released back on March 13, 1964, the top would go all the way to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Signed Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)" | Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is the quintessential Motown artists you can hear at pretty much every wedding reception. It's perfect song for multiple times during your wedding reception. A popular choice for the bridal party introduction or to get the party cranked up a notch. The song was released in June 1970 and would become one of the signature songs of 1970, as well as Stevie's career.   Like most of Stevie's music, the song would easily hit Number 1 on the Hot 100.

"Where Did Our Love Go?" | The Supremes
Don't just stop at adding in the Supremes, feel free to also add in some solo Diana Ross. Released back in the summer of 1964, this song was the first of many songs by The Supremes to go to Number 1 on the Billboard charts.

Smokey Robinson Motown Wedding

"Tears Of A Clown" | Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
Another artist you may not just stop at with the Miracles, Smokey Robinson actually went on to have a very successful solo R&B career, but nonetheless, it's songs like this that are great in creating that fun energy at your wedding reception. Stevie Wonder gets a writing credit for this song. Released in the fall of 1970, it would be another Number 1 song for Smokey Robinson.

"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" | The Temptations
A perfect track to throw in on your dinner playlist. It's got a nice mellow vibe. Originally written and recorded by the Undisputed Truth, the Temptations did a cover and took it all the way to Number 1 in the fall of 1972.

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" | Marvin Gaye
Not the first track by Marvin Gaye to be added onto this playlist and certainly won't be the last.  He was making incredible music up until his death in 1984. Be sure to add in "Sexual Healing" for a slow jam at the end of the evening.
This song and the James Taylor cover are common choices for the cake cutting.

"Please Mr. Postman" | The Marvelettes
Yes, please deliver this lovely bride an incredibly handsome groom at her wedding reception. A cute track to add in indeed. The song was released back in the summer of 1961 and was the first Motown song to go to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Motown Record Label

"He's So Fine" | The Chiffons
That's one of the reasons you are marrying him right? Throw this one in for your amazing new husband to be.  The song is perfect for a Motown cocktail hour, and was released back in January of 1963 and would spend 4 weeks at the top of the charts in the spring of that year.

"I Second That Emotion" | Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
The perfect song to throw in after the wedding ceremony. It invokes a happy go lucky vibe for your upcoming evening. Add it to your playlist right now. Released in the fall of 1967, it's one of the most requested Motown songs by my brides and grooms.

"Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" | The Temptations
Another great track for the dinner playlist or maybe a slow dance later in the evening. The song was released in January of 1971 and would top the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the Billboard R&B charts.

"Working My Way Back To You" | The Spinners
Released in late 1979, the Spinners do an excellent version of this 1966 classic by Frankie Valli.   If you are seeking a great Motown vibe for your cocktail hour, this would be the perfect choice to loosen things up as your guests socialize with one another. 

Early Marvin Gaye 1960s 

"I Want You Back" | Jackson 5

A floor filler indeed and will get the party going for guests young and old. "I Want You Back" is quite possibly the single most requested song of The Jackson 5.  It was the first single by The Jackson 5, and when you take a listen down below, you'll see why it's so popular on wedding playlists. It reached Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.

"You Really Got A Hold On Me" | Smokey Robinson And The Miracles

Are we a little top heavy with the Smokey? Don't worry this is another classic you can dance to. Originally released in the fall of 1962, the song would be a Top 10 hit for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and would later be covered by The Beatles and The Temptations.

"Superstition" | Stevie Wonder
This is a must-play. Don't forget to tell your DJ to add it into the mix. In all of my years as a professional wedding DJ, people of all ages respond to this 1972 classic. Another Number 1 for Stevie on both the soul singles charts, as well as the Billboard Hot 100.

The Supreme Charleston

"Come See About Me" | The Supremes
Don't be surprised if you find yourself adding one, two, or three Supremes tracks into your playlist. This is another great one. "Come See About Me" would be the third straight Number 1 for the Supremes in 1964.

"All Night Long" | Lionel Richie
I have two words for you when describing how you want your wedding reception to play out. "Fiesta Forever".  You can find this 80s Classic on Lionel Richie's 1983 album "Can't Slow Down". The song would top the Billboard Hot 100, and Hot R&B charts in the fall of 1983. 

"ABC" | Jackson 5
Two Jackson 5 songs are better than one when thinking about Motown tracks for your wedding. Add this one in, your guests will love it.  The song removed "Let It Be" by The Beatles from the top of the charts, and would spend 4 weeks at the top of the soul singles charts in 1970.

"Do You Love Me" | The Contours
Definitely a great way to get the party going at your wedding reception into a higher gear over at Lowndes Grove. The song was written in 1962 by the founder of Motown records, Barry Gordy.  You might call The Contours a Motown One-Hit Wonder as this was their lone single on the Billboard Charts.

"This Old Heart Of Mine" | The Isley Brothers
Later covered by Rod Stewart with ronald Isley, this is a great song for you to add into your playlist right now. Released in the winter of 1966, the would go all the way to Number 6 on the  R&B chart.

The Four Tops Charleston Wedding Dj

"Baby I Need Your Lovin" | The Four Tops
The perfect Motown song to create a fun vibe for your cocktail hour at your wedding. The Four Tops are one of the most requested Motown artists by brides and grooms.  The song would be The Four Tops first platinum selling single, and would later be covered by Johnny Rivers in 1967.

"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honeybunch) | The Four Tops
Probably one of the most popular requested songs by the Four Tops, and a great song to play during the cocktail hour at your Charleston or Savannah wedding to loosen things up.

"My Girl" | The Temptations
This track is easily in my Top 5 requests for father and daughter dances.   The song was released right before Christmas in 1964 and would shoot all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

"Let's Get It On" | Marvin Gaye
Perfect for the late night wind down as your reception wraps up.  And here is a fun tidbit about this song; It was the Number 1 song in America in September 1973 when DJ Mike Bills was born.

"Shotgun" | Junior Walker And The All Stars
A floor filler for sure. Don't forget to get your DJ to play this one. :) I can remember throwing this song at the very beginning of the dancing portion of the evening to really turn things up a notch. The song was released back in the winter of 1965, and would hit the Top 5 of the Hot 100 in the spring.

"Be My Baby" | The Ronettes
How romantic. This track might conjure up thoughts of you and him when he proposed to you. You can find this song on The Dirty Dancing Soundtrack, which has so many other great songs that brides and grooms like to request. The song ranks at #22 on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Martha Reeves Vandellas

"Dancing In The Street" | Martha and The Vandellas
We won't be in the street, but your guests will be dancing all over your reception hall when the DJ cues up this song.  So many couples choose Motown for their wedding cocktail hour and this song is usually on their playlist. Released in the summer of 1964, the song would peak at #2 on the Hot 100 chart.

"Cruisin"| Smokey Robinson
Hey!, it had been a while since we put some Smokey into this list. Enjoy this one. Smokey Robinson released this song at the end of 1979, and by February of 1980, it would peak at #4 on the Hot 100 charts.

"You Keep Me Hanging On" | The Supremes
More Supremes? No problem. Turn up your speakers now to this one. The song would be another #1 for The Supremes by the end of 1966 and would see a resurgence in the 80s when Kim Wilde would cover it. 

"I'll Be There" Jackson 5
Released in August of 1970, the song would later be covered by Mariah Carey in the spring of 1992. The song would hit Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B chart.

"It's The Same Old Song" | The Four Tops
Back in the summer of 1965 you could go nowhere without hearing the Four Tops all over the radio. Released on July 9, 1965, the B side of this 45 had another very popular Motown wedding song; "Baby I Need Your Lovin". 

Let Me Be Your Charleston Wedding DJ Hopefully this list gets you started on creating the perfect playlist for your upcoming wedding in Charleston. Are you in the process of narrowing your search for your wedding DJ? Hopefully the information contained in this blog has shown you what I aim to provide you if you hire my company. Click HERE to submit your contact information and let's go ahead and grab coffee. An exceptional wedding DJ experience awaits you. Be sure to also listen to the Mike Bills Podcast, for even more music tips and information on finding the best wedding DJ for your most special day.