The Temptations are an American vocal group who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960’s and 1970’s…..wherein the group’s work with producer Norman Whitfield began with the Top 10 hit single “Cloud Nine” in October 1968….which pioneered psychedelic soul…..and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music.
The band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies and dress style…..while having sold tens of millions of albums….The Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music….while their song “My Girl“ is a soul music song recorded for the Motown record label….which was written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White….as the song became the Temptations‘ 1st U.S. # 1 single….and is today their signature song. Robinson’s inspiration for writing this song was his wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson. The song was included on the Temptations 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey. In 2018, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or artistically significant.”
“My Girl” climbed to the top of the U.S. pop charts after its Christmas time 1964 release and making it the Temptations‘ first # 1 hit. The single was also the first # hit on the reinstated Billboard R&B Singles chart….which had gone on a fifteen-month hiatus from 1963 to 1965. The single also gave the Motown its first # 1 on the Hot 100…..as the Temptations were the first Motown act to earn a Grammy.
In 2004, “My Girl” was ranked # 88 on Rolling Stone‘s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
