By Jasmine Brockington
“My Girl” by the Temptations is probably my Papa’s favorite song to sing to me and it always warms my heart knowing I’ll always be his girl. I have always been told I have an old soul and I will forever have my grandpa and the magic of Motown music to thank for that.
One of my earliest memories is a moment that I hold dear and true to my heart with my Papa. We were sitting in his car waiting for my grandma to get out of her doctor’s appointment and I was playing around with his radio and the music of his time came on. He started nodding his head and singing “Sitting on the dock of the bay” by Otis Redding and something struck me. I had to listen to more and more of it. It was addictive. It was called Motown.
Sure the music seemed silly and old to me as a little girl at the age of 8 but now I realize this music will forever be timeless. I can be cleaning my room and will hear any song by Diana Ross and the Supremes or the Jackson 5 and my heart begins to swell.
Compared to music today, Motown has the style and the emotion that artists are missing today. For example, the lyrics in The Supremes’ “Can’t Hurry Love” are still relevant to today’s love problems and trying to find love.
Just read and let your mind be blown:
“ I need love, love to ease my mind
I need to find, find someone to call mine
But mama said you can’t hurry love
No you just have to wait
She said love don’t come easy
It’s a game of give and take”
I was listening to this song and had to play it back because I was so shook.
My mom literally tells me this all the time and I don’t listen!!!!
So that’s just one example of how Motown music is timeless.
I always say that I was born in the wrong generation and the fact that I would rather listen to Soul Train and Motown music instead of Sexyy Red and Nikki Minaj truly shows.
There’s something about the genuine love from The Temptations or Marvin Gaye that today’s music will never compare to even if they try through using the same beats or lyrics.
Listening to this music not only makes me feel nostalgic of my childhood with my Papa but it also reminds me that I’m not alone in my silly struggles everyday.
Like if Diana Ross was singing about how she wants a man and her mom told her to chill out and wait, I can do the same thing and everything will be okay. That’s the magic of Motown and I will forever be thankful for my Papa for showing me this world.
Fun fact, I still text him whenever I’m listening to Motown music and he always says he’s glad he showed me his music, AKA the best music*
Shoutout to my Papa!