ARTIST SPOTLIGHT = The Temptations (6 songs)
This group is known for their choreography, harmonies & flashy wardrobe; they were highly influential to the evolution of R&B & soul.
#1
Written by Smokey Robinson & Bobby Rogers, this song hit the airwaves 01/23/1964 & became this group’s 1st entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #11; it also claimed #1 on the R&B chart. While others have covered the song, the most-notable was done by UB40; their version reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990.
#2
Written by Smokey Robinson & Ronald White, this song is this group’s signature tune. It debuted 12/21/1964 & claimed #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 & R&B charts in early 1965. It was their 1st Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100; meanwhile, it sparked a string of 3 straight Top 5s on the R&B chart, including 1965’s “It’s Growing” (#3) & 1965’s “Since I Lost My Baby” (#4).
#3
This song, the last written & produced by Smokey Robinson for this group, was designed to answer the latest dance craze, “The Duck”. The single debuted 02/07/1966 & peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. On the R&B chart, it claimed #1, sparking a string of 4 straight chart toppers, all in 1966: “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” & “I’m Losing You”.
#4
After Top 10 success in 1967 with such tunes as “All I Need” & “You’re My Everything”, the group kicked off 1968 with this song; officially hitting the airwaves 12/21/1967, the single reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 & claimed #1 on the R&B chart in early 1968. The song was originally the B-side to “I Truly, Truly Believe”, but that song stalled at #41 on the R&B chart.
#5
The group continued to have success in the late 1960s with such tunes as 1968’s “I Could Never Love Another”, 1968’s “Cloud 9”, 1969’s “Runaway Child, Running Wild” & 1969’s “I Can’t Get Next To You”. The group scored its 1st chart topper of the 1970s with this song. Debuting 01/14/1971, the single claimed #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 & R&B charts.
#6
This song was written by Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong & released as a single by The Undisputed Truth (1971). ~1 year later, this group released their version, which claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart while notching at #5 on the R&B chart. Later familiar tunes from this group include 1973’s “Masterpiece”, 1973’s “Let Your Hair Down” & 1974’s “Happy People”.