Motown is a type of soul music that originated in Detroit, Michigan in the 1950s and 1960s. It was created by the Motown record label, which specialized in a type of soul music it referred to as "The Motown Sound". The Motown sound was a hybrid style of soul, rhythm and blues, gospel, and vocal jazz. Crafted with an ear towards pop appeal, the Motown sound typically used tambourines to accent the backbeat, prominent and often melodic electric bass-guitar lines, distinctive melodic and chord structures, and a call-and-response singing style that originated in gospel music.

Motown brought together rhythm-and-blues, gospel, and pop influences as it sought to "cross over" to reach a wide audience that included white teenagers. Motown records were specifically mixed to sound good on car radios and were characterized by a thumping backbeat that made dancing easy for everyone. Motown sought to be and became the "Sound of Young America".

Motowns roster included several successful solo acts, such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Mary Wells, as well as several young singing groups, including the Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Marvelettes. Notable Motown artists have included the Supremes, Four Tops, the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Boyz II Men, Commodores, Lionel Richie, Dazz Band, Brian McKnight, 98 Degrees, and Erykah Badu.

A Motown-themed party is one way to pay tribute to the music and style of this era. Party ideas include sending fun and colorful invitations, decorating with gold records, music notes, and hip music, and playing Motown music.