The joint legacies of Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson can seem almost incalculable. After all, their imprints on American music and culture are so profound as to be irreversible.
Gordy founded the titanic Detroit label Motown Records back in 1959. And just as crucial to its legacy is Robinson, Gordy's first signee — as well as his creative and business partner, and best friend of more than 65 years.
For all its enormity, it is possible to contain the essence of this partnership in 40 songs — ones Robinson sang for Motown, or wrote for another Motown artist. In one way or another, each of the tracks below bears the stamp of each American innovator.
Before Gordy and Robinson's legacies will be celebrated at the 2023 MusiCares Persons Of The Year gala on Feb. 3, brush up on some of the most iconic and pivotal Motown tracks.
Below, listen to a 40-track playlist that highlights just a handful of the contributions Gordy and Robinson have made to music, from "Shop Around" to "My Girl" to "Who's Lovin' You" and beyond.