The Funk Brothers: The Most Successful Studio Band You’ve Never Heard Of
Motown’s house band, known unofficially as The Funk Brothers, played a crucial role in shaping the sound of some of the most iconic tracks of the ’60s. Despite being largely uncredited on many albums, they were responsible for some of the most significant musical contributions in pop history.
Active from 1959 until 1972, when Motown relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles, the Funk Brothers played on more #1 hits than The Beatles, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys combined. Their lineup was never fixed, but a core group of fifteen musicians became the driving force behind the Motown sound. When performing with their bandleader, they were occasionally credited as Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers, though it’s said that Berry Gordy disliked the term “Funk.”
Among the many talented musicians in the group, bassist James Jamerson is perhaps the most renowned. His bass lines were intricate and often more melodic than the vocal lines themselves. One of his most famous performances is the bass line for Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, which stands as a perfect example of his genius and creativity.
Remarkably, their contributions remained mostly anonymous until the release of the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which brought attention to their immense influence. The documentary reveals the hardships and sacrifices they endured, including the way they were treated by Motown, culminating in their farewell in 1972. Their departure was marked simply by a note on the door: “No work today.”
Despite their lack of formal recognition, their legacy lives on. The Funk Brothers’ music continues to be covered and celebrated today. In fact, six of their tracks are covered songs on Spytunes, a testament to the lasting impact they’ve had on the music world.
The Funk Brothers Tunes | Related Pages
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher by Jackie Wilson using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| D | G/D | Em/D | D |
Your love, lifting me higher, than I’ve ever been lifted before…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Higher And Higher (Jackie WIlson) – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye using chords, chord analysis, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Bm7/A | G#m7b5 | Gmaj7 | Em9 |
Ain’t no mountain high, ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough, baby…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye + Tammi Terrell) – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Baby Love | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Baby Love by The Supremes using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | C7/Bb | A7 | Dm |
Baby love, my baby love, I need you, oh how I need you…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Baby Love (The Supremes) – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Band Of Gold | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Band Of Gold by Freda Payne using chords, chord analysis, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | G | D/F# |
Now that you’re gone, all that’s left is a band of gold…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Band Of Gold – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Can I Get A Witness | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Can I Get A Witness by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Eb Ab | Db Ab | Eb Ab | Db Ab |
Ah listen, everybody, especially you girls…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Can I Get A Witness – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Dancing In The Street | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Dancing In The Street by Martha and the Vandellas using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| E7 | E7 (D/E) | E7 | E7 (D/E) |
Callin’ out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Dancing In The Street – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Get Ready | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Get Ready by The Temptations using chords, lyrics, a backing track, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| F5 | Bb | G5 | C |
And I’m bringing you a love that’s true so get ready, so get ready…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Get Ready – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Heat Wave | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Heat Wave by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Eb N.C (Bb C Bb G) | Fm (Gbm) | Gm (Bm) | Cm (Bm) | Cm |
Whenever I’m with him, (oh, oh, oh, oh) something inside (inside)…
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recordings.
| F | Dm7 G7 | C C6 | C (C7) |
How sweet it is to be loved by you, yes baby, oh, oh, oh, oh…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) by The Four Tops using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | C | G | G |
Oh, sugar pie, honey bunch, you know that I love you…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Get Ready – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and video guitar lessons.
| Ebm | Ebm | Bb Ab | Ab6 Ab |
I bet you’re wonderin’ how I knew, ’bout your plans to make me blue…
Start learning with the full lesson series: I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Jimmy Mack | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Jimmy Mack by Martha and the Vandellas using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Ebm | Gbmaj7 | Dbmaj7 | Gb |
Jimmy Mack, Jimmy. Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin’ back…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Jimmy Mack – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
My Girl | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play My Girl by The Temptations using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | F | C | F |
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: My Girl (The Temptations) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
My Guy | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play My Guy by Mary Wells using chords, lyrics, a backing track, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Bb Bb6 | Bb Bb6 | Bb Bb6 | Bb Bb6 |
Nothing you could say could tear me away from my guy…
Start learning with the full lesson series: My Guy – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Reach Out I’ll Be There | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Reach Out I’ll Be There by the Four Tops using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Abm7 Gb/Bb | Db | Abm7 Gb/Bb | Db |
Now if you feel that you can’t go on, because all of your hope is gone…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Reach Out I’ll Be There (Four Tops) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
You Can’t Hurry Love | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Bb | Bb | Eb Bb | Bb |
I need love, love, to ease my mind…
Start learning with the full lesson series: You Can’t Hurry Love – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
You’re All I Need To Get By | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play You’re All I Need To Get By by Marvin Gaye + Tammi Terrell using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A | B/A |
(You’re all I need to get by) Like sweet morning dew, I took one look at you…
The Funk Brothers on the web
