5 Motown Classics That Belong On Every Water Aerobics Playlist

The Motown era is something most classic rock 'n' roll, soul, and pretty much any other music fans can look back upon fondly. Its extensive collection of standout tracks offers a little something for everyone — and with its high-energy cuts in particular, Motown left some perfect tracks for uptempo water aerobics. These five songs blend an anthemic quality with their workout potential, and can leave baby boomers simultaneously getting a sweat on and reminiscing about a time when music felt sweet and magical.

Motown releases often centered around soul and R&B music, but their top artists brought elements of all kinds of genres into their stellar tunes. Each of the songs we've chosen brings an unforgettable sauce to any workout, even if listeners have already heard them a great number of times — still, we hope these hits from the likes of Marvin Gaye and the Jackson 5 haven't lost their spark. These tunes should appeal to any listener, regardless of age or activity, but a water aerobics class would be a perfect time to indulge in these five classic hits of Motown, one of music's most essential labels.

This standout track from one of Motown's most iconic artists — and an unmissable duo before Tammi Terrell's tragic passing — was one of the most definitive songs of the '60s and burgeons with the energy needed for a productive water aerobics class. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is a tune almost instantly recognizable to any listener, showing off the heights of Motown's hit-making power. Marvin Gaye and Terrell's combined vocal perfection takes the electric song to another level, which resonated with the era's listeners as a Top 20 hit in 1967.

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is upbeat and body-moving as any Motown classic, and is a definitive essential for a workout. Gaye and Terrell sing an iconic lyric that rivals any such duet from the era, their energy bouncing off each other in a thrilling dynamic: "Oh, baby, there / Ain't no mountain high enough / Ain't no valley low enough / Ain't no river wide enough / To keep me from gettin' to you, babe." The song is a household name for a reason, and there's no reason it should be left off any water aerobics playlist.

The Temptations couldn't seem to miss throughout their late '60s and early '70s prime. Another central pillar of Motown's signature catalog, "Get Ready" was released in 1966 and was an early hit for the band, and is filled with the necessary vibe for a water workout. Though the song was not one of the band's four No. 1 or even 15 Top 10 hits, it still left an impact, reaching the No. 29 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a quintessential Motown bop.

"Get Ready" brings an upbeat chorus that pulls on the most nostalgic of Motown's strings, with catchy back and forth vocals that come together for a head-bopping experience: "So, fee-fi-fo-fum / Look out, baby, 'cause here I come / And I'm bringing you a love that's true / So get ready, so get ready / I'm gonna try to make you love me too" It's a song perfect for the pool thanks to its constant energy, turning that Motown swing into extra energy down the stretch of a water aerobics workout.

Stevie Wonder was perhaps the definitive child prodigy of the century, and the musician was mega-successful before turning 21. He was at the best of his early talent with the unabashedly fun song, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," which took over 1965 and reached the No. 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining on the chart for a total of 14 weeks. Wonder's youthful vocals are bright and starry, and he brings a sweetness and positivity brimming with encouragement for a workout playlist.

"Uptight (Everything's Alright) is absolutely electric from its first vocal, which balances a compelling story with a rapturous groove. The song plays on Wonder's downtrodden-ness, but he relishes in the hope that the lover he cares for takes him as he is: "She says baby, everything is alright / Uptight, clean out of sight (Woo!) / Baby, everything is all right / Uptight, clean out of sight (Woo!)." It's a song that should get anyone up and moving, and this youthful version of Wonder absolutely brings the flavor needed for a Motown water-aerobics gem.

The Supremes recorded an unbelievable 12 No. 1 hits over their enormously successful tenure. One such tune was "You Can't Hurry Love," a 1966 anthem that soared all the way up to the top in early September, holding the No. 1 spot for two weeks during a 13-week chart run. This smash hit love song bounces with a spirit perfect for the pool, giving water aerobics enjoyers a balanced taste of energy and '60s nostalgia.

The leading vocals of Diana Ross provide the feel-good energy that "You Can't Hurry Love" relies on, which transmits a message of keeping on and believing (though through the obvious and titular lens of love): "I remember 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' (Can't wait)." The song is a brilliant piece of mid-'60s pop, and we highly recommend its placement on a mix for any kind of workout, especially for fans of classic Motown.

"I Want You Back" was the defining hit of the earliest part of the Jackson 5's career, especially thanks to its standout groove and killer vocal performances, and still holds up today as one of the best child-pop songs of all time. Released in late 1969, the tune was a major success and was partially behind the Jackson 5's meteoric rise, peaking at No. 1 in early 1970 during a 19-week chart stint on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Telling a universal story of lost love, the passionate vocals in "I Want You Back" shine to bring the emotions home: "Oh, baby, give me one more chance (To show you that I love you) / Won't you please let me back in your heart? / Oh, darlin', I was blind to let you go (Let you go, baby) / But now, since I see you in his arms (I want you back)." For aerobics in particular, "I Want You Back" provides a perfect beat and melody that subconsciously gets the muscles moving, paired with a chorus and lyrics that are impossible not to sing along to. You just can't beat the early Jackson 5 songs, which stand out as some of Motown's best-ever hits.