My Girl by the Temptations

“My Girl” was the first US number one single for the Temptations. It charted in 1965 and was written and produced for Motown by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White – both members of the Miracles at the time. Tnis was also the first single to feature David Ruffin as lead vocalist.

The Temptations were in fact the product of two previous groups – the Primes and the Distants. After a brief spell as the Elgins, they were renamed the Temptations. Smokey actually produced and wrote four more successful singles for them before handing over to Norman Whitfield.

Sample “My Girl” on Motown 50 here:

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Get Ready by the Temptations

Written by Smokey Robinson, “Get Ready” made it to number 29 in 1966 for the Temptations. It was in fact the last record that Smokey produced for the Temptations as Motown replaced Robinson with Norman Whitfield as the group’s producer thereafter.

Sample “Get Ready” on Motown 50 here:

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Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone by the Temptations

This 12 minute record was released in 1972 and although it had been recorded by the ‘Undisputed Truth’ only a few months previously, this version by the Temptations proved to be the enduring classic. The Temptations are one of the world’s most successful groups having spanned 40 years in the business.

Sample “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” on Motown 50 here:

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