Artist: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Author: Norman Whitfield/Barrett Strong
Label: Tamla
Year: 1966
Oldest version recorded. The first one released was by Gladys Knight & The Pips. Miracles versions on their late '68 Special Occasion album and on cd Motown Sings Motown Treasures ('98).
Covers:
Isley Brothers [unreleased]
Gladys Knight & The Pips [n°1 R&B]
Marvin Gaye [n°1 R&B, US & UK]
Roger [n°1 R&B]
F.M. [hardrock version]
Amy Winehouse & Paul Weller [with Jools Holland (BBC recording)]
Marvin Gaye's first (and biggest) n°1 US, seven weeks in a row. For his record company Tamla-Motown the success was even more supreme: for four weeks during that same span the numbers two and three on these charts were also label acts. I Heard It Through The Grapevine represents a music publisher's goldmine: hit Billboard with six different acts, three times n°1 R&B.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)