Hitsville U.S.A

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Motown was a recording studio created in “Motor City” Detroit, Michigan reigning from 1959 to 1972. Motown music fused many genres such as gospel, pop, and jazz. They were advertised as the voice of young America and produced some of the greatest artists of all time. Motown was an embodiment of young Detroit talent and its owners Berry Gordy Jr’s vision of music. Motown music combined African American and European musical traits and aesthetics to make their music palatable amongst American citizens both black and white. Motown music like the song “Where did our love go” by The supremes Combined African American and European musical traits and aesthetics to make their music palatable amongst American citizens both black and white. Groups like The Supremes placed emphasis on a clean image (white gloves, long dresses, suits for men) that would appeal to the white market as well as the use of melody and harmony but they also embraced rhythm and pulse with their soul filled ballads.

The Motown era was infamous for its creation of a performance and musical style that could appeal to the masses of america. Celebration and Expression remained a common theme for Motown. Motown music focused on three genres for the most part; R&B, Jazz, and Soul, All of these Genres focusing on expressing oneself whether that be joy, love, or heartbreak. The Supremes “Where Did Our Love Go” embodies this theme of Motown for several reasons. The song focuses on heartbreak and the feeling that love has gone away. Songs about love and heartbreak are common among The Supremes discography and many other artists of Motown. The song incorporates gospel elements such as the sound of people stomping on a board, horns, strings, piano, and tambourines, as well as call and response, emphasizing the expression of the theme. The use of spiritual elements in secular music was very popula