When you think of Motown Records, you might imagine the smooth voices of Diana Ross, the deep emotions of Marvin Gaye, or the unforgettable grooves of Stevie Wonder. But the story of Motown is much bigger than a few hit songs. It’s a story about how a small Detroit label transformed popular music — and influenced musicians across the world, including “The Boss” himself, Bruce Springsteen.
What Was Motown?
Motown Records was started in Detroit in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr., who borrowed just $800 from his family to build what would become one of the most successful and influential music companies in history. Gordy understood something powerful: music could bring people together, no matter their race or background. His goal was to create music that everyone could enjoy — and he succeeded. Motown became known as “The Sound of Young America.”
Motown’s music blended rhythm and blues, gospel, and pop, creating a style that was catchy, emotional, and full of energy. The songs were engineered to sound great on car radios and dance floors alike. A legendary group of studio musicians called The Funk Brothers played on many of these tracks, helping shape the signature Motown sound with tight rhythms, melodic basslines, and irresistible grooves.
Between the early 1960s and early 1970s, Motown released hundreds of hits that climbed the charts — including classics like “Baby Love” by The Supremes, “Shop Around” by The Miracles, and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye. These songs didn’t just top the R&B charts — they dominated the mainstream pop charts too.
Motown’s Broader Impact
Motown wasn’t just making hit records — it was changing culture. At a time when the United States was deeply divided by race, the label’s artists crossed barriers and became stars around the world. Their success helped make soul music a global phenomenon and expanded how Black artists were seen in the music industry and popular culture.
Motown artists also helped shape fashion, dance, and even television. Characters and music from the Motown era have shown up in movies, Broadway shows, and commercials — a sign that the influence of this Detroit label goes far beyond the Bruce Springsteen and Soul Music
Now let’s talk about how Motown connects to Bruce Springsteen — a rock artist many people might not immediately associate with soul music.
Springsteen grew up in New Jersey in the 1950s and 60s, a time when Motown was dominating the airwaves. Though he became famous as a rock singer, Springsteen has always had a wide range of musical influences, and Motown was a big part of that mix.
In 2016, Springsteen appeared on BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs and chose The Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving” as one of his favorite tracks. He said that Motown was essential to his youth, and that if you wanted to learn how to write a great pop song — how to structure it, how to get a catchy hook — you could learn it from Motown.
Only the Strong Survive — A Love Letter to Soul
Springsteen’s appreciation didn’t stop in his teenage years. In 2022, he released Only The Strong Survive, an album made up entirely of cover versions of classic soul and R&B songs — many of which come from the Motown era or share its spirit. The record features songs originally sung by artists like Jimmy Ruffin, The Commodores, and The Supremes, giving them new life through Springsteen’s powerful voice.
Springsteen explained that this project was about honoring the “great American songbook” of the 60s and 70s — the collection of emotionally rich, deeply soulful songs that shaped American music.
Why Motown Still Matters
Even today, Motown’s influence can be heard across genres — from pop and R&B to rock and hip-hop. Its songs continue to be streamed, sampled, and reimagined by artists young and old. Springsteen’s tribute album is just one example of how the spirit of Motown continues to inspire musicians long after the original hits were released.
Motown wasn’t just a record label — it was a musical revolution. It brought soul into the mainstream, changed the way records were made, and showed artists everywhere how powerful music can be in connecting with people’s hearts.