The Temptations Sing Smokey
Encyclopedia
The Temptations Sing Smokey is a 1965 album by The Temptations
for the (Motown) label. As its name implies, it is composed entirely of songs written and produced by Smokey Robinson
, and several other members of the Miracles
as well.
Several of the songs are covers of songs Robinson produced for the Miracles or Mary Wells
, while the rest were originally recorded by The Temptations. Among these are three successful hit singles, starting with "The Way You Do the Things You Do
", which featured Eddie Kendricks
on lead vocals. The next two songs feature lead vocals by new Temptation David Ruffin
: "It's Growing
" and the group's signature song, "My Girl".
Not included are three singles which predate these two singles, "I'll Be in Trouble
", "The Girl's Alright With Me
", and "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)
" (whose b-side, "Baby, Baby I Need You
", is here). These songs would be included on the next Temptations album, The Temptin' Temptations
. A third hit single, "The Way You Do the Things You Do
", is present here, although it was also issued on the previous Temptations album, Meet the Temptations
.
, (b) Eddie Kendricks
, (c) Paul Williams
, (d) Melvin Franklin
, (e) Otis Williams
, (f) Temptations ensemble
.
All selections produced by Smokey Robinson
.
Side one
Side two
Unreleased recordings from the "Sing Smokey" sessions:
Both these songs have subsequently been released.
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
for the (Motown) label. As its name implies, it is composed entirely of songs written and produced by Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, and several other members of the Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
as well.
Several of the songs are covers of songs Robinson produced for the Miracles or Mary Wells
Mary Wells
Mary Esther Wells was an American singer who helped to define the emerging sound of Motown in the early 1960s...
, while the rest were originally recorded by The Temptations. Among these are three successful hit singles, starting with "The Way You Do the Things You Do
The Way You Do the Things You Do
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" was covered in 1989 by the band UB40. It was the sixth single from their 1989 album Labour of Love II. The song was released in 1989 in the major of the European countries .-Track listings:7"-Single...
", which featured Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
on lead vocals. The next two songs feature lead vocals by new Temptation David Ruffin
David Ruffin
Davis Eli "David" Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968...
: "It's Growing
It's Growing
"It's Growing" is a 1965 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore and produced by Robinson, the song was a top 20 pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, on which it peaked at number 18...
" and the group's signature song, "My Girl".
Not included are three singles which predate these two singles, "I'll Be in Trouble
I'll Be in Trouble
"I'll Be in Trouble" is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy label. Written by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, the single was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 33....
", "The Girl's Alright With Me
The Girl's Alright with Me
"The Girl's Alright with Me" is a 1964 song recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy label. The B-side to their Top 40 hit "I'll Be in Trouble", the song was also able to chart on its own, peaking at number 102 on Billboard Pop Charts...
", and "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)
Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)
"Girl " is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy label. It was the group’s first A-side release to be produced by Norman Whitfield, who co-wrote the song with Edward Holland, Jr. of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team...
" (whose b-side, "Baby, Baby I Need You
Baby, Baby I Need You
"Baby, Baby I Need You" is a 1963 song recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy label. It was written by Smokey Robinson, and was later used as the B-side to their Top 40 1964 hit "Girl "....
", is here). These songs would be included on the next Temptations album, The Temptin' Temptations
The Temptin' Temptations
The Temptin' Temptations is a 1965 album by The Temptations for the Gordy label. The album includes several of the group's hits from 1965, and also includes a handful of singles that were not included on the Temptations' first 1965 album, The Temptations Sing Smokey...
. A third hit single, "The Way You Do the Things You Do
The Way You Do the Things You Do
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" was covered in 1989 by the band UB40. It was the sixth single from their 1989 album Labour of Love II. The song was released in 1989 in the major of the European countries .-Track listings:7"-Single...
", is present here, although it was also issued on the previous Temptations album, Meet the Temptations
Meet the Temptations
Meet the Temptations is the 1964 debut album by The Temptations for the Gordy label. It includes most of the group's early singles except for the first, "Oh Mother of Mine", and its b-side, "Romance Without Finance" ; as well as the single "Mind Over Matter" , in which the group is...
.
Track listing
Superscripts denote lead singers for each track: (a) David RuffinDavid Ruffin
Davis Eli "David" Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968...
, (b) Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
, (c) Paul Williams
Paul Williams (The Temptations)
Paul Williams was an American baritone singer and choreographer. Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations...
, (d) Melvin Franklin
Melvin Franklin
David Melvin English better known by the stage name Melvin Franklin, was an American bass singer. Franklin is best known for his role as a member of Motown singing group The Temptations from 1960 to 1994....
, (e) Otis Williams
Otis Williams
Otis Williams is an American baritone singer. Nicknamed "Big Daddy", he has also acted as a sporadic songwriter and record producer. Williams co-founded the Motown vocal group The Temptations in early 1960 as The Elgins, a group in which he continues to perform...
, (f) Temptations ensemble
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
.
All selections produced by Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
.
Side one
- "The Way You Do the Things You DoThe Way You Do the Things You Do"The Way You Do the Things You Do" was covered in 1989 by the band UB40. It was the sixth single from their 1989 album Labour of Love II. The song was released in 1989 in the major of the European countries .-Track listings:7"-Single...
" (Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Robert RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
) b - "Baby, Baby I Need You" (Robinson) f, c, b
- "My Girl" (Robinson, Ronald WhiteRonald WhiteRonald "Ronnie" White was an African American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a founding member of The Miracles, and the only member to survive all of that group's line-up changes...
) a - "What Love Has Joined TogetherWhat Love Has Joined Together"What Love Has Joined Together" is a song written and composed by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, was recorded by five Motown acts: The Miracles, Mary Wells, The Temptations, Barbara McNair, and Syreeta, and was issued as B-sides to hits by Wells' and The Tempts; "Your Old...
" (Robinson, Rogers) b - "You'll Lose a Precious Love" (Robinson) a, d
- "It's GrowingIt's Growing"It's Growing" is a 1965 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore and produced by Robinson, the song was a top 20 pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, on which it peaked at number 18...
" (Robinson, Warren MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
) a
Side two
- "Who's Lovin' YouWho's Lovin' You"Who's Lovin' You" is a Motown soul song, written in 1960 by William "Smokey" Robinson. The song has been recorded by many different artists including The Miracles, who recorded the 1960 original version, The Temptations, The Supremes, Terence Trent-D'arby, Brenda and The Tabulations, John Farnham,...
" (Robinson) a - "What's So Good About Good ByeWhat's So Good About Goodbye"What's So Good About Goodbye" was a 1961 hit single recorded by R&B group The Miracles for Motown Records' Tamla label, later included on their 1962 album I'll Try Something New. The single was a Top 40 Pop hit, peaking at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States during the winter...
" (Robinson) b - "You Beat Me to the PunchYou Beat Me to the Punch"You Beat Me to the Punch" is a soul single by Motown singer Mary Wells, released on the Motown label in 1962. It was co-written by Smokey Robinson of The Miracles, who was responsible for the majority of hits released by Wells while she was a Motown artist, and another Miracles member, Ronnie...
" (Robinson, White) c - "Way Over ThereWay Over There"Way Over There" is a 1960 Motown soul song and single, written by William "Smokey" Robinson, produced by Berry Gordy, and first performed by The Miracles for the Tamla label. It was one of The Miracles' earliest charting singles, reaching #94 on the Billboard Pop chart. Motown president Berry...
" (Berry Gordy, Jr., Robinson) b - "You've Really Got a Hold on MeYou've Really Got a Hold on Me"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a 1962 Top 10 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla label. One of the group's most covered tunes, this million-selling song is a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee...
" (Robinson) b, a, c - "(You Can) Depend on Me(You Can) Depend on Me" Depend on Me" , was a 1959 song by Motown Records group The Miracles, which also appeared on the group's first album, Hi... We're The Miracles . It also appeared as the "B" side of the group's hit single, Way Over There. It was written by Motown Records' President and founder Berry Gordy and...
" (Gordy, Robinson) b, e
Unreleased recordings from the "Sing Smokey" sessions:
- "What's Easy for Two Is So Hard for One" (Robinson) c
- "Happy LandingHappy LandingHappy Landing was a 1962 R&B recording by Motown Records singing group The Miracles , issued on that label's Tamla Records subsidiary label . It was recorded in November of 1962, and appeared on their album The Fabulous Miracles...
" (Robinson, White) b
Both these songs have subsequently been released.
Personnel
- David RuffinDavid RuffinDavis Eli "David" Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968...
: vocals (all tracks except "Baby, Baby I Need You") - Eddie KendricksEddie KendricksEddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
: vocals - Paul WilliamsPaul Williams (The Temptations)Paul Williams was an American baritone singer and choreographer. Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations...
: vocals - Melvin FranklinMelvin FranklinDavid Melvin English better known by the stage name Melvin Franklin, was an American bass singer. Franklin is best known for his role as a member of Motown singing group The Temptations from 1960 to 1994....
: vocals - Otis WilliamsOtis WilliamsOtis Williams is an American baritone singer. Nicknamed "Big Daddy", he has also acted as a sporadic songwriter and record producer. Williams co-founded the Motown vocal group The Temptations in early 1960 as The Elgins, a group in which he continues to perform...
: vocals - Elbridge "Al" Bryant: vocals ("Baby, Baby I Need You")
- The AndantesThe AndantesThe Andantes were a prolific female sessions group for the Motown record label during the 1960s. Composed of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps, the group sang background vocals on numerous Motown recordings, including songs by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Temptations, Stevie...
: background vocals ("It's Growing") - Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
: producer, Album executive producer
Chart and singles history
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| "The Way You Do the Things You Do" |
|
| "Baby, Baby I Need You" (recorded 1963; b-side of "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)") |
|
| "My Girl" | |
| "It's Growing" | |
| "You'll Lose a Precious Love" (b-side of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg") |
| Name | Chart (1964–1965) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| The Temptations Sing Smokey | U.S. Billboard Pop Albums | 35 |
| The Temptations Sing Smokey | U.S. Top R&B Albums | 1 |
| "The Way You Do the Things You Do The Way You Do the Things You Do "The Way You Do the Things You Do" was covered in 1989 by the band UB40. It was the sixth single from their 1989 album Labour of Love II. The song was released in 1989 in the major of the European countries .-Track listings:7"-Single... " |
U.S. Billboard Pop Singles | 11 |
| "The Way You Do the Things You Do" | U.S. CashBox R&B Singles | 1 |
| "Baby, Baby I Need You" | U.S. Billboard Pop Singles | - |
| "My Girl" | U.S. Billboard Pop Singles | 1 |
| "My Girl" | U.S. Billboard R&B Singles | 1 |
| "It's Growing" | U.S. Billboard Pop Singles | 18 |
| "It's Growing" | U.S. Billboard R&B Singles | 3 |
| "What Love Has Joined Together" | U.S. Billboard Pop Singles | |
| "What Love Has Joined Together" | U.S. Billboard R&B Singles | |
- Note: There was no Billboard R&B singles chart from November 1963 until January 1965. Most discographies include R&B information from Cash Box magazine to fill in the gap in the R&B chart, as is done here with the 1964 releases.