3 British Invasion Covers of Motown Hits That We Love

In the 1960s, there were two giant musical movements that helped shape not only the decade but also the next 50 years of modern music. Those are the sounds that came from the British Invasion and from Motown. From bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to singers like Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, the British Invasion and Motown were crucial when it came to pop culture.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three examples of when the two crossed over. Let’s look at a trio of tracks that demonstrate the Venn diagram of when the British Invasion and Motown sounds blended. Indeed, these are three British Invasion covers of Motown hits that we simply love!

“Please Mister Postman” by The Beatles from ‘With The Beatles’ (1963)

Originally, this song was released in 1961 by the Motown band The Marvelettes. It was the debut single of the all-lady quartet, and it also bears the distinction of being the first Motown song to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two years later, though, British-born band The Beatles covered it and released it on their 1963 LP With The Beatles. The Fab Four’s rendition showcases both their reverence for the original recording and their talent as a burgeoning rock group with vocal harmonies (rich with Liverpool accents). The Mop Tops covered a number of early American rock hits, including tunes like “Roll Over Beethoven” by Chuck Berry.

“Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” by The Rolling Stones from ‘Some Girls’ (1978)

This song was first released by the famed Motown group The Temptations in 1971. But it was later covered by the British-born rock band The Rolling Stones some seven years later for their record, Some Girls, which the band released in 1978. Even more than The Beatles, The Rolling Stones focused their musical careers on rock songs rooted in the American blues movement. While the Fab Four later deviated into more psychedelic rock, The Stones knew their lane and stuck to it. So, it makes total sense that they would mine Motown for covers for their popular albums. And this may be example No. 1.

“Do You Love Me” by The Hollies from ‘Stay With The Hollies’ (1964)

Originally released by the Motown band The Contours in 1962 on the album of the same name, Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance), this track was later covered by the British-born band The Hollies in 1964 on the group’s debut LP, Stay with the Hollies. The track, which was written by Motown legend Berry Gordy, sounded louder and more rocking when released by The Hollies. It showed that songs blending British vibes and Motown originality were here to stay—a real chef’s kiss moment!

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