91-471: My Girl may refer to: Music [ edit ] "My Girl" (The Temptations song) , 1964; recorded by many artists "My Girl" (Amine song) , 2006 "My Girl" (Arashi song) , 2009 "My Girl" (Donnie Iris song) , 1982 "My Girl" (Dylan Scott song) , 2016 "My Girl" (The Fooo Conspiracy song) , 2016 "My Girl" (Hoodoo Gurus song) , 1983 "My Girl" (Madness song) , 1979 "My Girl" (folk song) or "In
182-401: A "striking arrangement ". Record World said, "Teens won't be able to resist Temptations' new one, which is a sweet and slow tribute to a teen angel." In 2004, "My Girl" was ranked number 88 on Rolling Stone ' s list of " The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ". The song was re-ranked and moved to number 43 in the 2021 edition. The song gained prominence in the baseball world during
273-477: A Lot o' Soul (1967), and The Temptations Wish It Would Rain (1968). During this period, the various songwriting partners of Norman Whitfield included Roger Penzabene , Edward Holland, Jr. , and Temptations road show manager and guitarist Cornelius Grant . Subsequently, Barrett Strong , who sang the first hit at Motown in 1959, " Money (That's What I Want) ", began working with Whitfield and Penzabene on Temptations material after Eddie Holland left Motown with
364-481: A November 1970 Copacabana engagement, a final confrontation between the three caused Kendricks to walk out in-between shows and not return. Both Kendricks and Williams then agreed that Kendricks would be leaving the group. Kendricks later stated that he actually considered leaving as early as 1965, but remained with the Temptations and unsuccessfully attempted to get permission to record a solo album without leaving
455-518: A Rollin' Stone", Whitfield stopped working with Barrett Strong, and began writing the Temptations' material on his own. The success of "Papa" led Whitfield to create more elongated, operatic pieces, including the Top 10 hit " Masterpiece " (1973) and several of the tracks on the resulting Masterpiece album. Tensions developed between Whitfield and the group, who found Whitfield arrogant and difficult to work with. Citing his habitual tardiness, his emphasis of
546-489: A South Korean drama series My Girl (2008 TV series) , a Philippine remake of the South Korean series My Girl (2020 TV series) , a China streaming television series "My Girl" ( Superman: The Animated Series ) , a television episode See also [ edit ] My Girls (disambiguation) My Boy (disambiguation) Oh My Girl (disambiguation) My Woman (disambiguation) Topics referred to by
637-455: A curtain. At other shows, and during most of the second half of 1970, Street substituted for Williams on stage when he was too sick to go on. Eddie Kendricks became detached from the group after David Ruffin's firing and as the health of Paul Williams continued to fail. He regularly picked fights with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, which often became violent, and in addition, he preferred
728-672: A debut solo single. However, on August 17, 1973, Williams died in Detroit at the age of 34 from a gunshot wound, his death ruled a suicide by the Wayne County coroner. In May 1971, the Temptations finally found a permanent replacement for the first tenor position in twenty-year-old Baltimore native Damon Harris . Otis Williams, Edwards, Franklin, Street, and Harris continued recording and performing, and Norman Whitfield continued producing hits for them. There were Top 40 hits such as " Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) " (1971),
819-536: A few weeks later that he was unable to continue performing for medical reasons, Paul Williams quit the Temptations in May. Richard Street officially took Williams's place, although Williams continued to be paid his customary one-fifth of group revenue (Street was paid on salary for the first eighteen months of his tenure), and worked when he could with the group as an adviser and choreographer. After Williams had recovered enough to record again, he recorded two sides in 1973 for
910-615: A fifteen-month hiatus from 1963 to 1965. The single also gave the Gordy label its first number 1 on the Hot 100. Over time, "My Girl", with its signature introduction and unrestrained expression of joy, became one of Motown's best-known and most successful singles. "My Girl" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Cash Box described the single as "a pulsating, shuffle -wobble ballad" performed "in very tempting style" and with
1001-419: A lead singer place in his new group, which would also include fellow former Distants members Franklin and Bryant. Kendricks agreed on the condition he bring Paul Williams with him. Otis Williams happily agreed, and Kendricks and Paul Williams moved back to Detroit to join the new group. The original name for the new lineup of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams
SECTION 10
#17328014841331092-467: A message from the Temptations to David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, and "Take a Look Around" (1972). During this period, the group toured with Quiet Elegance as their back-up singers. Quiet Elegance featured Lois Reeves , the sister of Martha Reeves , alongside Frankie Gearing and Millie Vaney-Scott. Late 1972 saw the release of " Papa Was a Rollin' Stone ", a magnum opus written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and produced by Whitfield. Originally
1183-603: A new sound for the group by producer Norman Whitfield, and in the fall of 1968, Whitfield began producing psychedelic -based material for the Temptations, derived primarily from the sound of funk bands Sly & the Family Stone and Funkadelic . This new style, which debuted with the Top 10 hit single " Cloud Nine " in October 1968, was a marked departure from the David Ruffin-era ballads. The instrumentation
1274-605: A result, David Ruffin was brought in as his replacement in January 1964. Though Ruffin's brother Jimmy was also considered for the slot, David was selected following his performance with them in 1963. Bryant continued to perform in a number of other local groups and died at the age of 36 in Flagler County, Florida , of liver cirrhosis on October 26, 1975. The Temptations then consisted of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin;
1365-537: A singer formerly of the Contours that Eddie Kendricks and Otis Williams already had pegged as a potential Ruffin replacement, was hired to take Ruffin's place. Edwards and Ruffin were good friends, and at first, Ruffin accepted his dismissal and encouraged Edwards. However, at Edwards' official debut with the Temptations in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania , on July 7, Ruffin came to the show and jumped onstage, taking
1456-428: A single with Ruffin singing lead. Robinson saw Ruffin as a "sleeping giant" in the group with a unique voice that was "mellow" yet "gruff". Robinson thought that if he could write the perfect song for Ruffin's voice, then he could have a smash hit. The composition was to be something that Ruffin could "belt out" yet something that was also "melodic and sweet". After some persuasion from Ruffin's bandmates, Robinson had
1547-483: A song by Honorebel "My Girl", a song by Mindless Behavior from #1 Girl "My Girl", a song by Young Dro from Best Thang Smokin' Film and television [ edit ] My Girl (film) , a 1991 film starring Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin My Girl 2 , a sequel to the above film, released in 1994 Fan Chan (English: My Girl ), a 2003 Thai romantic comedy film My Girl (2005 TV series) ,
1638-529: A story recounted several times by Dennis Edwards, (rebutted by Otis Williams and Temptations road manager Don Foster), after several of these stunts, the positive audience reactions and a remorseful Ruffin's pleas to be let back into the act convinced the other Temptations to do so. Otis Williams informed the then still-new Edwards that the group would lay him off and rehire Ruffin while in Gaithersburg, Maryland . However, when Ruffin failed to show up on time
1729-572: A suggestion from Miracle Records employee Billy Mitchell, songwriter Mickey Stevenson , and group members Otis Williams and Paul Williams, the Temptations became the group's new moniker. The "Elgins" name re-surfaced at Motown in 1965, when Gordy renamed a quartet called the Downbeats as the Elgins . The Temptations' first two singles, " Oh Mother of Mine " and " Check Yourself ", with Paul Williams on lead, were released on Miracle before Gordy closed
1820-455: A three-minute record written and produced for The Undisputed Truth , Whitfield took the somber tune and created a sprawling, dramatic twelve-minute version for the Temptations—a forerunner of the extended single, soon to become popular in clubs and discothèques. An edited seven-minute version was released as a single and became one of the longest hit singles in music history: it hit number 1 on
1911-714: A youngster to be with his mother. By 1958, Williams was the leader of a vocal group named Otis Williams and the Siberians. The group included Elbridge "Al" Bryant, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain and Arthur Walton. The group recorded a song, "Pecos Kid" for a label run by radio deejay Senator Bristol Bryant. Shortly after its release, the group changed its name to The El Domingoes. Subsequently, Montgomery native Melvin Franklin replaced Arthur Walton as bass vocalist and Detroit-born Richard Street (claimed by Melvin Franklin to be his cousin) replaced Vernard Plain as lead singer. Signing with Johnnie Mae Matthews ' Northern Records,
SECTION 20
#17328014841332002-514: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages My Girl (The Temptations song) " My Girl " is a song recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown ) record label. Written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White , it became the Temptations' first U.S. number 1 single, and is considered their signature song. Robinson's inspiration for writing "My Girl"
2093-488: Is still their signature song to this day. After the success of "My Girl", Ruffin sang lead on the next three singles: " It's Growing ", " Since I Lost My Baby ", and " My Baby ", which all made it to the Top 20 in 1965. The B-side to "My Baby", " Don't Look Back ", featured a stirring lead from Paul Williams, and was a sleeper hit on the R&;B charts and a standard for vocal group playlists. Norman Whitfield had requested
2184-573: The 2024 Major League Baseball postseason when New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor used "My Girl" as his walkup song. During the postseason, Mets fans, during home games at Citi Field , serenaded Lindor during his at bats by singing the first few lines of the song. Before Game 5 of the 2024 National League Championship Series on October 18, the Temptations performed the song live at Citi Field . Shipments figures based on certification alone. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. In 1965, Otis Redding recorded
2275-555: The Billboard charts, and Whitfield became the Temptations' new main producer. He began pulling the group away from the ballad -based productions espoused by Robinson, toward a harder-edged and brass -heavy soul sound reminiscent of James Brown . Nearly all singles Whitfield produced prior to 1968 featured David Ruffin on lead, including the R&B number-one/pop Top 10 hits " Beauty Is Only Skin Deep ", " (I Know) I'm Losing You " and
2366-554: The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award , received in 2013. They won four Grammy Awards in total. The Temptations – specifically Edwards, Franklin, Kendricks, Ruffin, Otis Williams and Paul Williams – were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Three Temptations songs, "My Girl", " Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) " (1971), and " Papa Was a Rollin' Stone " (1972), are included among
2457-569: The UK Singles Chart . "My Girl" was later sampled for "Stay", a single from the Temptations' 1998 album Phoenix Rising , which reached #28 on the US R&;B Charts. "My Girl" climbed to the top of the U.S. pop charts on March 6, 1965, after its Christmas time 1964 release, making it the Temptations' first number 1 hit. The single was also the first number 1 hit on the reinstated Billboard R&B Singles chart, which had gone on
2548-561: The Distants got out of their contract with Northern Records. However,James "Pee-Wee" Crawford and Richard Street shortly departed from the group and the remaining members lost use of the Distants name. Richard Street later formed another Distants group who recorded for the Thelma label in the early 1960s. Members of the Distants were acquainted with the Primes, as both groups participated in
2639-633: The Motown funk star who had previously used the Temptations as backup vocalists on his 1981 hit " Super Freak " and whom Franklin claimed as his nephew, wrote, produced, and guested on the Reunion album's lead single, " Standing on the Top ". The single went to number-six on the R&B charts and featured Ruffin, Kendricks and Edwards trading back and forth on lead. While the ensuing Reunion tour with all seven Temptations (Ruffin, Kendricks, Otis Williams, Franklin, Edwards, Richard Street, and Glenn Leonard)
2730-478: The Pines", a traditional American folk song " My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) ", a song by Chilliwack, 1981 My Girl (EP) , by Kim Hyung-jun, 2011 "My Girl", a song by Aerosmith from Pump "My Girl", a song by Agua de Annique from Air "My Girl", a song by Alma from Have U Seen Her? "My Girl", a song by Dayglo Abortions from Feed Us a Fetus "My Girl", a song by Frank Sinatra "My Girl",
2821-654: The Primes and Distants were influenced by other vocal groups including the Miracles . Other inspirations included the Cadillacs , Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers , the Drifters , and the Isley Brothers . Though "Come On" was a local hit in the Detroit area, the Distants never saw much record sales, and "Alright" was not as successful. After receiving an offer from Berry Gordy to sign with Motown Records ,
My Girl - Misplaced Pages Continue
2912-462: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll . The Temptations were ranked No. 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2010. In 2023, the group were ranked No. 1 by Billboard magazine on its list of the on the "100 Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists Of All Time". As of 2024 , the Temptations continue to perform with Otis Williams in
3003-496: The Supremes Join The Temptations , which featured Edwards's first studio recordings with the group and the number-two hit single " I'm Gonna Make You Love Me " and " Together ". There was also a joint tour and two NBC television specials, TCB (aired December 9, 1968) and G.I.T. on Broadway (aired November 12, 1969). The addition of Dennis Edwards to the Temptations coincided with the adoption of
3094-452: The Temptations record "My Girl" instead of the Miracles, who were originally going to record the song, and recruited Ruffin to sing the lead vocals. According to Robinson, he allowed the group to create their own background vocals "because they were so great at background vocals". Consequently, the Temptations came up with boosts like "hey hey hey" and a series of "my girls" that echo David's vocal." The opening bass notes are recognized around
3185-425: The Temptations went from unknown hopefuls to international stars and as a result, appeared frequently on television shows such as American Bandstand , The Ed Sullivan Show , and The Hollywood Palace . At the same time, the group began to achieve a crossover success, catering to middle America with a pop standards album ( The Temptations in a Mellow Mood , 1967), the success of which resulted in performances at
3276-457: The Top 10 hit single " Cloud Nine " in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul , and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music . The group members were known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music . Featuring five male vocalists and dancers (save for brief periods with fewer or more members),
3367-654: The World Is Today) ", as a replacement single. "Smiling Faces Sometimes" was released as a single for the Undisputed Truth instead, becoming a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. Meanwhile, "It's Summer" peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first Temptations single to miss the Top 40 since " Farewell My Love " eight years earlier. After his doctor declared
3458-565: The World Is Today) ", but the formula began to wear thin when "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)", only went to number 33 Pop in the fall of 1970. The group's other important albums from this period included Puzzle People (1969) and Psychedelic Shack (1970). Psychedelic Shack includes the original version of " War ", later made famous by Edwin Starr . Paul Williams, who suffered from sickle-cell disease , fell into depression because of
3549-456: The album of the same name, hit number 11 on the R&B charts but failed to chart in the Top 40. Two years of under-performing singles and albums followed, including an eponymous album with Philadelphia -based producer Thom Bell , until Motown began planning a Temptations reunion tour in 1982. Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin agreed to rejoin the group for the new album, aptly titled Reunion , and its subsequent promotional tour. Rick James ,
3640-466: The ballad material from the earlier days and was uncomfortable with the psychedelic soul material the group was now performing. Kendricks rekindled his friendship with Ruffin, who persuaded him to go solo. He no longer felt he had a say in Otis Williams's handling of the group and was also convinced Motown's handling of the Temptations' finances was cheating the group out of money. Kendricks, being
3731-615: The case was eventually settled out of court. The settlement required Ruffin to remain with Motown as a solo artist to finish out his contract. Edwards' first album with the Temptations was Live at the Copa , recorded at the group's return to the Copacabana nightclub. The Temptations debuted the first of a number of collaborations with Diana Ross & the Supremes in 1968. The results included two studio albums: 1968's Diana Ross &
My Girl - Misplaced Pages Continue
3822-478: The early 1967 hit " (Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need ". Other important singles from this period include " All I Need ", produced by Frank Wilson , a Whitfield protégé, and the " You're My Everything ", on which Kendricks and Ruffin share lead. Studio albums during the "Classic Five" period apart from Meet the Temptations include The Temptations Sing Smokey (1965), The Temptin' Temptations (1965), Gettin' Ready (1966), The Temptations with
3913-481: The famous Copacabana in New York City along with dates at other similar supper clubs. Outside of music, the Temptations were made honorary members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. By 1967, David Ruffin had begun demanding special treatment as lead singer, riding to and from gigs in a private mink -lined limousine with his then-girlfriend, Motown singer Tammi Terrell , instead of the group limousine used by
4004-518: The group and causing him to miss a number of group meetings, rehearsals, and concerts. There was a consensus among the rest of the group that Ruffin needed to be replaced. When Ruffin missed a June 1968 engagement at a Cleveland supper club in order to attend a show by his new girlfriend, Barbara Gail Martin (daughter of Dean Martin), the group decided that he had crossed the line. The other four Temptations drew up legal documentation, officially firing Ruffin on June 27, 1968. The next day, Dennis Edwards ,
4095-495: The group and particularly for Paul Williams in general. Some called the group "the Hitless Temptations" due to their lack of hits. During this time, David Ruffin began following the group around as he aspired to join them. During a local Detroit performance, Ruffin joined the group onstage and impressed the group with his vocal talent and dancing skills. Following that same time, Al Bryant had grown frustrated with
4186-429: The group at Atlantic, however. Their two releases on Atlantic – Hear to Tempt You (1977), and Bare Back (1978), along with their associated singles, had failed to perform any better at Atlantic than their last handful of singles had at Motown. As a result, in 1979, Atlantic released the group from its contract, and shortly afterwards, the Temptations met once again with Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, who re-signed
4277-602: The group before he was fired for forgetting the words to his solo numbers due to nervousness. For several weeks of the spring of 1971, the Temptations were without a fifth member. Owens meanwhile returned to the Vibrations and died in Los Angeles, California , on December 6, 1996, at the age of 57. Whitfield took the remaining Temptations quartet and re-recorded "It's Summer", the B-side to " Ball of Confusion (That's What
4368-524: The group had their name changed again to the Distants. The group recorded two Northern singles including "Come On" (1959) and "Alright" (1960). Between these releases, "Come On" became a local hit, and the Warwick Records label picked the record up for national distribution. Following the release of "Alright", Matthews appointed Williams the group leader, and the group's name was changed to Otis Williams & The Distants. During this period, both
4459-408: The group to Motown in 1980. Upon the return to Motown several lineup changes occurred. Louis Price departed from the group and joined the Drifters. Dennis Edwards—who had made an unsuccessful attempt at developing a solo career during his three-year exit from the group—returned to the lineup. Berry Gordy co-wrote and produced "Power", the Temptations' first single under the new contract. "Power", from
4550-488: The group's final Top 40 Pop hit was also included. Damon Harris was fired from the group during the recording of A Song for You , as his behavior and work ethic were deemed unprofessional, and his replacement was Washington, D.C. native Glenn Leonard , formerly of the Unifics . A number of producers, including Bowen, Brian Holland , James Anthony Carmichael , and even the Temptations themselves tried producing hits for
4641-514: The group's first album, Meet the Temptations , released in early 1964. The next two Temptations singles in 1964, " Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) " along with " I'll Be in Trouble " and its B-side " The Girl's Alright with Me ", all featured Kendricks on lead (although Franklin sang one line in "I'll Be in Trouble"). However, producer Smokey Robinson saw potential in the "mellow yet gruff" voice of David Ruffin, and thought that if he could write
SECTION 50
#17328014841334732-454: The group's founding members came from two rival Detroit vocal groups: Otis Williams , Elbridge "Al" Bryant, and Melvin Franklin of Otis Williams & the Distants , and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of the Primes . In 1964, Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin , who was the lead vocalist on a number of the group's biggest hits, including " My Girl " (1964), " Ain't Too Proud to Beg " (1966), and " I Wish It Would Rain " (1967). Ruffin
4823-412: The group's lack of success and became restless and uncooperative, preferring the mundane routine of his day job as a milkman over the rigors of rehearsal and performing. After a second altercation onstage at a Christmas performance, following an incident where he struck Paul with a beer bottle during a heated quarrel at an earlier gig in the middle of the year, Bryant was summarily fired from the group. As
4914-576: The group's lead vocals, and Ruffin had joined the group as a replacement for former Temptation Elbridge Bryant. While on tour as part of the Motortown Revue , a collective tour for most of the Motown roster, Smokey Robinson caught the Temptations' part of the show. For their set, the group had included a medley of soul standards, one of which, the Drifters ' " Under the Boardwalk ", was a solo spot for Ruffin. Impressed, Robinson decided to produce
5005-558: The group. Before Kendricks officially left the Temptations, he and Paul Williams recorded the lead vocals for " Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) ", a ballad that became Kendricks' final single with the group. Included on the Sky's the Limit LP along with the original album version of " Smiling Faces Sometimes ", "Just My Imagination" was released as a single in January 1971 , and
5096-475: The instrumental tracks at the expense of their vocals on many of his productions, and the declining singles and albums sales as other sources of conflict, the group sought to change producers. Otis Williams complained about Whitfield's actions and the Temptations' stagnant sales to Berry Gordy; as a result, the group was reassigned to Jeffrey Bowen , co-producer of the 1967 In a Mellow Mood album. The final Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations album, 1990 ,
5187-456: The label down and reassigned the band to his latest imprint, Gordy Records. On the Gordy imprint, Eddie Kendricks sang lead on the Temptations' first charted single, " (You're My) Dream Come True ", which peaked at number 22 on the R&B chart in 1962. Later that year, the Temptations began touring as part of the Motortown Revue . The group issued eight recordings between 1961 and 1963 without much success. Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks split
5278-466: The last of whom was the lead singer on late-period hit " Treat Her Like a Lady " in 1984 and the theme song for the children's movement program Kids in Motion in 1987. Over the course of their career, the Temptations released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and fourteen R&B number-one singles . The group was the first Motown act to win a Grammy Award – for "Cloud Nine" in 1969 – and
5369-470: The leads during this early period, with Al Bryant, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin occasionally singing lead, as they did on a song titled "Isn't She Pretty". For a brief time, the group almost had their name changed to the Pirates, and recorded the songs "Mind Over Matter" and "I'll Love You Till I Die" under that name. Eventually the label and the group decided against it. One hit song, " Do You Love Me ",
5460-549: The lineup, who is the group's last surviving member. Williams owns the rights to the Temptations name. Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams started singing together in church as children in Birmingham, Alabama . By their teenage years, they formed a doo-wop quartet in 1955 with Kell Osborne and Wiley Waller, naming themselves the Cavaliers. After Waller left the group in 1957, the remaining trio left Birmingham to break into
5551-399: The microphone from Edwards, singing lead on "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", and disappearing as quickly as he had appeared. Ruffin repeated this stunt several times throughout the group's July tour run. Despite the group hiring extra security to keep Ruffin out, he continued to find ways to sneak into the venue and jump onstage when the group performed one of the songs he had once sung lead on. In
SECTION 60
#17328014841335642-571: The music business. The group settled in Detroit where they changed their name to the Primes under the direction of Milton Jenkins. The Primes soon became well known around the Detroit area for their meticulous performances. Jenkins later created a sister group, the Primettes, later known as the Supremes . Kendricks was already seen as a "matinee idol" in the Detroit area, while Williams was well received for his baritone vocals. Meanwhile, concurrently, Texas teenager Otis Williams moved to Detroit as
5733-410: The next night for his "return" engagement, the group kept Edwards on and ceased to entertain the prospect of rehiring Ruffin. After Gaithersburg, Ruffin stopped attempting to disrupt the Temptations' concerts and instead turned his attention to the Motown offices back in Detroit. He sued Motown in October 1968, seeking a release from the label, but Motown countersued to keep the singer from leaving and
5824-544: The next three LPs, House Party (November 1975), Wings of Love ( March 1976 ), and The Temptations Do the Temptations (August 1976). None of these recordings were as commercially successful as A Song for You however, and none of their associated singles entered the Billboard charts. As time progressed, Bowen pushed Dennis Edwards further to the front of the group. This was evident on Wings of Love , where several tracks featured Edwards' vocal more prominently than
5915-672: The one-CD Motown Around the World (1987) and the two-CD Motown Around the World: The Classic Singles (2010), as well as on the Temptations' compilation album 50th Anniversary – The Singles Collection (1961–1971) (2011). The song was re-released in 1992, following the November 1991 release of the film of the same name , which featured the song. It did not reach the Billboard charts , but did reach number 2 in
6006-566: The only member to continue an alliance with Ruffin, also repeatedly suggested that Ruffin should be allowed back into the group, despite the other members' strong objections. Kendricks lobbied strongly in 1970 to have the Temptations go on "strike" – no performances, no recordings – until Berry Gordy and the Motown staff were willing to go over all group finances with independent accountants. Otis Williams and Franklin strongly opposed this idea, and regular group infighting between Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Franklin grew from this disagreement. After
6097-503: The opportunity to write for the group and in 1966, Berry Gordy promised him that if Robinson's " Get Ready ", with Eddie Kendricks on lead, failed to chart in the Top 20, Whitfield would be allowed to produce the next song. "Get Ready" subsequently missed its mark, and Gordy issued the Whitfield-produced " Ain't Too Proud to Beg ", with David Ruffin on lead, as the next single. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" outperformed "Get Ready" on
6188-412: The other Temptations' backing vocals. Otis Williams felt that this was hurting the group, accused Motown of inattention, and cited this as the reason for the group's declining sales and popularity. After The Temptations Do the Temptations was recorded in 1976, Edwards was fired from the group, and with new lead Louis Price on board, they left Motown for Atlantic Records . Success continued to elude
6279-469: The other four Temptations made valiant efforts to raid and drain his alcohol stashes. In late 1969, Richard Street, lead singer of Motown act the Monitors and a former Distant, was hired by Otis Williams to tour with the group as a backup replacement for Williams. For most shows, save for his solo numbers, Williams danced and lip-synced on stage to parts sung live by Street into an offstage mic behind
6370-466: The other four Temptations. The other members slowly became irritated and annoyed with Ruffin's behavior. Following Motown's decision to rechristen the Supremes as Diana Ross & the Supremes and Martha & the Vandellas as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Ruffin felt entitled to the same treatment and demanded that his group be renamed as well, to David Ruffin & the Temptations . Ruffin
6461-547: The perfect song for his lead, then the group could have a Top 10 hit. While traveling as part of Motown's Motortown Revue later that year, Robinson and fellow Miracles member Ronnie White wrote " My Girl ", which the Temptations recorded in the fall of 1964 with Ruffin singing his first lead vocal for the group. Released as a single on December 21, 1964, the song became the Temptations' first number-one pop hit in March 1965 . Over 50 years and multiple chart topping songs later, it
6552-418: The pop charts and number 5 on the R&B charts. In 1973, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" won the Temptations their second Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Group . Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Riser won the award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the instrumental version on the B-side, and Whitfield and Barrett Strong won the songwriting Grammy for Best R&B Song . After "Papa Was
6643-614: The rest of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting/production team in 1967. Two of the Whitfield-Strong-Penzabene collaborations, " I Wish It Would Rain " and " I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) ", became hits in early 1968 after the suicide of Roger Penzabene in December 1967. Subsequently, Barrett Strong became the sole collaborator of Norman Whitfield. From early 1964 to mid 1968,
6734-500: The same talent shows and performed at the same public venues. Friendly rivals, the Primes were considered to be the more polished and vocally stronger group of the two. However, the Primes disbanded in 1960 after Kell Osborne moved to California. Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams returned to Alabama following the band's dissolution. While visiting relatives in Detroit, Kendricks called Otis Williams, who desperately needed two more members for an audition for Gordy's label and offered Kendricks
6825-411: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title My Girl . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_Girl&oldid=1214786953 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
6916-474: The song began steadily climbing the US pop singles chart, peaking at number 1 two months later. By the time "Just My Imagination" topped the charts, Kendricks had negotiated his release from the group and signed a solo deal with Motown's Tamla label. The Temptations originally hired Ricky Owens , from the Los Angeles -based vocal group the Vibrations , to replace Kendricks. However, Owens only played three dates with
7007-584: The song for his album Otis Blue . Released as a single, it was the first version to be successful in the United Kingdom, reaching No.11 in the UK Singles Chart . The Temptations The Temptations are an American vocal group formed in Detroit , Michigan in 1960 as the Elgins , known for their string of successful singles and albums with Motown from the 1960s to the mid-1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield , beginning with
7098-412: The stress of touring and personal issues. By the late 1960s, he had developed a serious case of alcoholism . Having never previously consumed anything stronger than milk, he began to drink quite heavily, and it was hard to take, according to Otis Williams. As his physical and mental health began to decline sharply, it made performing increasingly difficult. Williams began traveling with oxygen tanks, and
7189-534: The success that followed the group resulted in what would, in later years, be frequently referred to as the "Classic Five" lineup. In January 1964 , Smokey Robinson and Miracles bandmate Bobby Rogers co-wrote and produced " The Way You Do the Things You Do " with Eddie Kendricks on lead and the single became the Temptations' first Top 20 hit that April. Shortly afterward, "The Way You Do The Things You Do" and several pre-David Ruffin singles were compiled into
7280-623: The verses was played by Robert White of the Funk Brothers . This part can be heard without vocals on the 2004 deluxe edition of the soundtrack from the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown . The Temptations also recorded German- and Italian-language versions of the song, "Mein Girl" and "Solamente Lei", released in 1965 and 1966 respectively. Both versions were later included on two various Motown artists compilation albums,
7371-643: The work of Diana Ross and the Supremes (" Reflections ", " Love Child "), Marvin Gaye's version of " I Heard It Through the Grapevine ", and music of the 5th Dimension , the Undisputed Truth , and the Friends of Distinction . More Temptations psychedelic soul singles followed in 1969 and 1970—among them " Runaway Child, Running Wild " (a number-one R&B hit), " I Can't Get Next to You " (a number-one pop hit), " Psychedelic Shack ", and " Ball of Confusion (That's What
7462-416: The world. As Smokey Robinson says, "I can be in a foreign country where people don't speak English and the audience will start cheering before I even start singing "My Girl." They know what's coming as soon as they hear the opening bass line. [He sings the famous line created by bassist James Jamerson :] 'Bah bum-bum, bah bum-bum, bah bum-bum.'" The signature guitar riff heard during the introduction and under
7553-472: Was January 1975 's A Song for You , which included a cover of the titular Leon Russell tune (popularized with soul audiences by Donny Hathaway ), along with the pop Top 40/R&B number-one hits " Happy People " (featuring the Commodores as the instrumentalists) and " Shakey Ground " (featuring instrumentation by Parliament-Funkadelic 's Eddie Hazel along with Billy Bass Nelson ). " Glasshouse ",
7644-451: Was funkier , the beat was hard-driving, and all five Temptations traded lead vocals, similar to Sly & the Family Stone. "Cloud Nine", the centerpiece of the group's landmark Cloud Nine LP, was a Top 10 hit and won Motown its first Grammy Award , for Best R&B Vocal Group Performance of 1969 . The blending of the Motown sound and psychedelic rock sound resulted in a new subgenre of music called psychedelic soul , also evident in
7735-481: Was also causing friction with Berry Gordy by demanding an accounting of the group's earnings; Motown partially acquiesced by allowing the Temptations to retain an outside accounting firm, but the firm did not have full access to the books from the Temptations' manager, International Talent Management, Inc. – a subsidiary of Motown. Some of this behavior was attributed to the fact that by this time Ruffin had begun using cocaine regularly, building further tension within
7826-437: Was financially successful, it ended up being a stressful venture: Kendricks' voice had weakened after decades of chain smoking , Ruffin (still addicted to drugs) missed a number of the performances due to being incapacitated, and current group members Dennis Edwards and Glenn Leonard were causing problems. At the conclusion of the Reunion tour, Ruffin and Kendricks were dismissed, and they began touring and performing together as
7917-643: Was his wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson . The song was included on the Temptations 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey . In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The recorded version of "My Girl" was the first Temptations single to feature David Ruffin on lead vocals. Previously, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams had performed most of
8008-481: Was originally to be recorded by the Temptations. When he couldn't get in contact with the group, Gordy produced a version for the Contours . In 1963, the Temptations began working with Smokey Robinson as producer and writer. Robinson's first work with the group was the Paul Williams-led " I Want a Love I Can See ". While the song failed to chart, it did eventually become a popular live performance spot for
8099-405: Was released in December 1973, and included the Top 30 single " Let Your Hair Down ". Shortly afterwards, Whitfield left Motown, and in 1975 established Whitfield Records , taking the Undisputed Truth and Willie Hutch with him, along with Rose Royce ---who performed an instrumental track for "Let Your Hair Down" before recording their 1976 smash " Car Wash ". Bowen's first LP with the Temptations
8190-399: Was replaced in 1968 by Dennis Edwards , with whom the group continued to record hit records such as "Cloud Nine" (1968), " I Can't Get Next to You " (1969), and " Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) " (1970). Kendricks and Paul Williams both left the group in 1971, with subsequent members including Richard Street, Damon Harris , Glenn Leonard, Ron Tyson, and Ali-Ollie Woodson ,
8281-514: Was the Elgins. Under that name, the group auditioned for Motown in March 1961. Already impressed with some of the members after hearing session work, Berry Gordy agreed to sign the group to the Motown imprint, Miracle. However, before signing, Gordy discovered another group was using the name of Elgins. The group began tossing about ideas for a new name on the steps of the Hitsville U.S.A. studio. On
#132867