From My Girl to Papa Was A Rolling Stone!
Starting out in 1960, formed out of two rival Detroit vocal groups, Otis Williams, Elbridge Al Bryant, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams formed what was to become The Temptations.
Together, they became a remarkably successful vocal group that sold millions of albums, predominantly on the Motown label in the 60s and 70s.
Since the start, the group has had another 19 members as they simply refused to give up touring and recording. Their latest album was released as late as 2018, making them a band with almost six decades of legacy.
Being backed by Motown meant they worked closely with Smokey Robinson, the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team as well as Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield.
Together they would come to produce a string of legendary hit tunes, including My Girl, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Get Ready, and Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.
The secret to The Temptations’ success can be found in their willingness to adapt to new musical styles and the constant flow of new members keeping them going, decade after decade. Otis Williams, a founding member is still active in the band and holds all the rights to the Temptations name.
Two main eras emerge that can be represented by two songs, My Girl is the early 60s sound of Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson.
In the 70s, The Temptations went for a more psychedelic soul sound in Papa Was A Rolling Stone, written by Barrett Strong and produced by Norman Whitfield.
The Temptations received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, fully deserved!
The Temptations tunes | Related pages
Get Ready
| F5 | Bb | G5 | C |
And I’m bringing you a love that’s true so get ready, so get ready.
| F | Bb7omit3 | Gm | C |
I’m gonna try to make you love me too so get ready, so get ready, here I come.
My Girl
| C | F | C | F |
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.
| C | F | C | F |
When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May.
The Temptations on the web
