As a tribute to Motown producer/songwriter Norman Whitfield, who passed away on September 26, here are five canonical, pulse-quickening songs that owe their existence to the master of epic soul's unerring ear for a hook.

The Velvelettes – 'Needle In A Haystack'
Lean, direct and fizzing with melody, a gleaming example of Whitfield's early Motown work.

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The Temptations – 'Cloud Nine'
At a stroke, this made gritty social realism and psychedelic arrangements part of the Motown sound.

The Temptations – 'I Wish It Would Rain'
David Ruffin brought the stunningly emotive vocal; Whitfield added the thunderstorm sound effects.

Gladys Knight And The Pips – 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'
Motown boss Berry Gordy initially rejected this song, but Whitfield kept pushing until it was a monster hit. The following year, Marvin Gaye's version was even bigger.

Edwin Starr – 'War'
Originally recorded with The Temptations, but Motown bosses feared alienating the band's more conservative fans, so they gave this potent protest anthem to Edwin Starr instead.