When people hear Motown, the first thing that comes to mind might be the movie about The Temptations that plays at 3 a.m. on VH1. Motown was much more than sharp suits and crazy hairdos in the ’60s. It was a genre with music so full of heart and soul that it broke racial barriers and swept across the nation. Artists like The Temptations, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye all display a passion in their singing that cannot be imitated. Motown Records wasn’t just a hit factory – it was an artistic breeding ground for music that affected generations of musicians.

When listening to songs like “Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing” by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrel, one can’t help but be transported back to simpler times. Love was the most important thing and everybody seemed to have some.

The musical formula was simple yet effective. Some sparse instruments provided the harmonic structure while a simple drum beat and perhaps a jangley tambourine kept time. Over this simplicity is some of the most miraculous vocal work ever recorded. “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” by The Temptations can bring even the most manly of men to tears, and “Do You Love Me?” by the Contours stands as one of the best dance songs just because of the rich harmonies and raw, lyrical emotion.

There is a reason why people make love to great R&B music. “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye is the obvious staple. It is drenched with so much sensual passion you need a cold shower after listening to it just to go on with a normal day.

The king of Motown, however, is Stevie Wonder. This man’s musical career far surpasses that of his fellow artists, and not by coincidence. He hasn’t just evolved with changing musical times, he was at the forefront of the change. He embodies the classic Motown R&B attitude with songs like “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” but his talents could never be contained by just one decade.

“Superstition,” “Higher Ground,” and “Boogie on Reggae Woman” are some of the funkiest jams of the ’70s, with Wonder retaining his signature sound and breathtaking vocal work. In the ’80s, his work transformed yet again. If nothing else is a testament to this man, let it be the fact that he not only survived the ’80s with his superb music-making ability, but actually thrived. Sure he may have shared the stage with teen pop sensations the Jonas Brothers at the last Grammy Awards, but if that inspired even just one 13-year-old girl to discover his music, then it was all worth it.

In short, more fans and musicians need to take a step back and praise the legends. These artists made high-quality music that could appeal to an immensely widespread audience. This is something often missing from the music world today, with the space between “artistic music” and “popular music” growing ever larger. The music industry has evolved far beyond the days of record companies like Motown – it’s enormous, allowing for an infinite number of musical niches so there’s something for everyone out there. We can all take a lesson from these artists who so beautifully crafted music meant for the ears of so many.