Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross

Although this had been an original hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967, “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough” was re-released by Motown in 1970, but this time with Diana Ross as the artist. It reached number one in the US and number 6 in the UK. It was taken from her debut solo album. However, a mere two years later, Diana Ross quit Motown.

Sample “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” on Motown 50 here:

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You Are Everything featuring Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross

Only released in the UK, “You are Everything” was a one-time collaboration between Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross. Although it had originally been recorded by the Stylistics, the duo’s version reached number 5 in 1974. It was written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed for Motown.

Sample “You Are Everything” on Motown 50 here:

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Endless Love by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross

Written for the Film of the same name, Ross and Richie recorded a single version and it was released in 1981. It became the most successful number one of that year, staying at the top for a staggering nine weeks. It actually was the biggest selling single of Ross’ career – but proved to be her last with Motown, despite it having been their biggest selling single ever too. It was also the biggest selling duet ever. All of this achieved from a recording session that took only 2 hours!

Sample “Endless Love” on Motown 50 here:

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Upside Down by Diana Ross

“Upside Down” was taken from Diana Ross’ 1980 album “Diana” and reached number one on the US charts and number 3 in the UK. It was written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. It was to be Ross’ last album before leaving Motown and moving to RCA.

Sample “Upside Down” on Motown 50 here:

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Love Hangover by Diana Ross

As a traditional soul singer, Diana Ross had initial misgivings about recording “Love Hangover” in 1976 due to its success on the underground scene by Sylvester James and its disco feel. However, Motown felt that it would be ideal for her and were proved right when it subsequently made number one. It was Ross’ first foray into the disco scene and it effectively re-invented her as the new disco queen.

Sample “Love Hangover” on Motown 50 here:

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I’m Still Waiting by Diana Ross

“I’m Still Waiting” was released by Motown in 1971 as part of Diana Ross’ album “Everything is Everything” and although as a single it only reached number 63 in the US charts, it did considerably better in the UK, becoming a number one for four weeks in August that year. Anecdotally, it has been suggested that it’s British success was in part attributable to a BBC disc jockey (Tony Blackburn) who, being particularly keen on the record, gave it considerable airplay on his programme and subsequently encouraged EMI (issuer of Motown in the UK) – to release it as a single.

Sample “I’m Still Waiting” on Motown 50 here:

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