#TBTXPN: Watch 10 of the greatest Motown songs

Throughout the Summer, WXPN has been doing a special themed weekly programming series, #TBTXPN – a musical #ThrowbackThursday through August. Each week XPN has been travelling back to a special year, a genre, or musical movement. This week we put the spotlight on the incredible Motown record labels, and the many hits and deep tracks in its vaults. Founded by Berry Gordy in January, 1959 as Tamla Records on a family loan of $800, the songwriter and businessman incorporated the company in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as the Motown Record Corporation. The word Motown was a combination of the words motor and town, and the label quickly became synonymous with the some of the greatest R&B and soul hits – and deep tracks – of the Sixties, Seventies, and beyond.

And hits they had: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, The Marvelettes, Martha and The Vandellas, The Temptations, Rick James, The Commodores, Marvin Gaye, and so many more.

Below, watch some great performances of the Motown classics.