The way you do the things

It all began when Berry Gordy signed the Miracles and in so doing brought in one of the greatest songwriters of the Motown era: Smokey Robinson, who was soon to become vice president of the company, but most importantly wrote innumerable hits: "Shop around", "The tracks of my tears", "Going to a go-go" and "The tears of a clown" all for his own band and "My guy", "My girl", "Get ready" and "Ain’t that peculiar" for Mary Wells, The Temptations and Marvin Gaye.

Going to a go-go

Gordy knew exactly what he wanted from Motown and how he could achieve it.
He wanted to sell his songs to everyone in the whole world – be they black or white.
This not only meant creating a distinctive sound but also a tough, strict school that both the songs and performers had to go through. The song writers and producers worked on the KISS principle – "keep it simple, stupid" – for their songs. The songs created according to this rule of thumb (and they included compositions by Gordy) were performed once a week at the "Control meeting" to a selection of company staff members as well as Gordy as the boss. There, the decision was taken on what songs were to be released and which of them had what it takes to become a hit. But that was not all. Both bands and singers were drilled in a number of areas in a specially created artist development department. They were taught good manners, were fitted out in matching stage outfits (different outfits for different gigs) and even had to learn sophisticated choreography tailored to each performer for the live performances.
The show and entertainment aspect played a big role and led to singers and musicians in perfectly fitting suits, glitzy dresses and shiny shoes, who sashayed across the floor in the same rhythm. Coupled with the Soul, which the singers were apparently blessed with at birth, this produced an unbeatable package: Motown quite simply had class.