The Temptations Wish It Would Rain
Encyclopedia
The Temptations Wish It Would Rain is a 1968 album by The Temptations
for the Gordy (Motown) label. It was the final release from the group's "Classic-5" era, during which David Ruffin
, Eddie Kendricks
, Paul Williams
, Melvin Franklin
, and Otis Williams
constituted the Temptations' lineup.
Wish It Would Rain also marks the last Temptations solo album to focus on the classic "Motown Sound", and the last to feature production from Smokey Robinson
.
" and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
", both featuring David Ruffin on lead and co-written by Motown writer Roger Penzabene
, who committed suicide on New Years Eve 1967 because of the breakup described in these two songs. "I Wish It Would Rain's" B-side
, "I Truly, Truly Believe", is a rare solo showcase for Temptations bass singer Melvin Franklin
.
The third single, "Please Return Your Love to Me
", features Eddie Kendricks
on lead, and was released in July after Ruffin's departure. "Please Return Your Love to Me's " B-side
, "How Could I Forget
" (led by Paul Williams
), is not included here, because it was newly recorded on June 29 to accompany the a-side.
that month (instead going to visit his then-girlfriend Gail Martin—daughter of Dean Martin
-- and see her open her own musical show), Otis Williams and the other Temptations decided Ruffin had gone too far and fired him.
Dennis Edwards
was brought in as Ruffin's replacement, amidst cries of "Where's David?" from the crowds at live shows, and David Ruffin's attempts to jump onstage and steal the microphone from Edwards during the shows. After the Temptations enlisted extra bodyguards to prevent Ruffin from attending and disrupting their shows, Edwards was officially introduced as the Temptations' new lead singer on July 9, 1968 at a live show in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
.
Edwards would make his on-record debut with the next Temptations album, Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations
. Starting with the group's next solo studio album, also titled Cloud Nine
, producer Norman Whitfield
began edging the group towards a Sly & the Family Stone
-eque (dubbed "psychedelic soul
", using Edwards' gruffer voice as the centerpiece for several psychedelic-based hit singles and albums.
, (b) Eddie Kendricks
, (c) Paul Williams
, (d) Melvin Franklin
Subsequently been released on Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968).
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 Gordy (Motown) label. It was the final release from the group's "Classic-5" era, during which 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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....
, and 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...
constituted the Temptations' lineup.
Wish It Would Rain also marks the last Temptations solo album to focus on the classic "Motown Sound", and the last to feature production from 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...
.
Overview
Included on Wish It Would Rain are the hit singles "I Wish It Would RainI Wish It Would Rain
"I Wish It Would Rain" is a 1967 song recorded by the Temptations for the Motown label and produced by Norman Whitfield.-Background:...
" and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
"I Could Never Love Another " is a single recorded by The Temptations and released on Motown Records' Gordy label during the spring of 1968...
", both featuring David Ruffin on lead and co-written by Motown writer Roger Penzabene
Roger Penzabene
Roger Penzabene was a songwriter for the Motown label. Among his most notable compositions are "The End of Our Road" by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye, and a trilogy of hits for the Temptations: "You're My Everything", "I Wish It Would Rain", and "I Could Never Love Another ".The...
, who committed suicide on New Years Eve 1967 because of the breakup described in these two songs. "I Wish It Would Rain's" B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
, "I Truly, Truly Believe", is a rare solo showcase for Temptations bass singer 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....
.
The third single, "Please Return Your Love to Me
Please Return Your Love To Me
"Please Return Your Love to Me" is a 1968 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy label. Produced by Norman Whitfield, who co-written the song with Barrett Strong, it is the last single to feature David Ruffin in the lineup...
", features 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, and was released in July after Ruffin's departure. "Please Return Your Love to Me's " B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
, "How Could I Forget
How Can I Forget
"How Can I Forget" was originally recorded as a love ballad by Motown group The Temptations in 1968 and was re-recorded in a psychedelic soul/funk styling by fellow Motown artist, Marvin Gaye in 1969...
" (led by 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...
), is not included here, because it was newly recorded on June 29 to accompany the a-side.
Background
Ruffin himself did not sing on "How Can I Forget" because, by late June, he was no longer a Temptation. The group had already been dealing with Ruffin's ego clashes and his desire for special treatment for at least two years, and warded off his desire to have the name of the group changed to "David Ruffin & the Temptations" (in response to The Supremes being renamed "Diana Ross & the Supremes"). After Ruffin failed to show up for a series of engagements in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
that month (instead going to visit his then-girlfriend Gail Martin—daughter of Dean Martin
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
-- and see her open her own musical show), Otis Williams and the other Temptations decided Ruffin had gone too far and fired him.
Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards is a soul and R&B singer, most noted for being one of Motown act The Temptations' lead singers replacing David Ruffin. He is the father of Issa Pointer, whose mother is Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters.-Career:...
was brought in as Ruffin's replacement, amidst cries of "Where's David?" from the crowds at live shows, and David Ruffin's attempts to jump onstage and steal the microphone from Edwards during the shows. After the Temptations enlisted extra bodyguards to prevent Ruffin from attending and disrupting their shows, Edwards was officially introduced as the Temptations' new lead singer on July 9, 1968 at a live show in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once...
.
Edwards would make his on-record debut with the next Temptations album, Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations
Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations
Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations is, as the title implies, a collaborative album combining Motown's two best selling groups, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations. Issued by Motown in late 1968 to coincide with the broadcast of the Supremes/Temptations TCB television special,...
. Starting with the group's next solo studio album, also titled Cloud Nine
Cloud Nine (Temptations album)
Cloud Nine is a 1969 album by American musical group The Temptations for the Gordy label.The album is a watershed for several reasons. It is the first regular Temptations studio LP to feature Dennis Edwards as the replacement for David Ruffin, who was fired in June 1968...
, producer Norman Whitfield
Norman Whitfield
Norman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
began edging the group towards a Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music...
-eque (dubbed "psychedelic soul
Psychedelic soul
Psychedelic soul, sometimes called black rock, is a sub-genre of soul music, which mixes the characteristics of soul with psychedelic rock...
", using Edwards' gruffer voice as the centerpiece for several psychedelic-based hit singles and albums.
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....
Side one
- "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)"I Could Never Love Another " is a single recorded by The Temptations and released on Motown Records' Gordy label during the spring of 1968...
" (Roger PenzabeneRoger PenzabeneRoger Penzabene was a songwriter for the Motown label. Among his most notable compositions are "The End of Our Road" by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye, and a trilogy of hits for the Temptations: "You're My Everything", "I Wish It Would Rain", and "I Could Never Love Another ".The...
, Barrett StrongBarrett StrongBarrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
, Norman WhitfieldNorman WhitfieldNorman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
) a - "Cindy" (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...
) a - "I Wish It Would RainI Wish It Would Rain"I Wish It Would Rain" is a 1967 song recorded by the Temptations for the Motown label and produced by Norman Whitfield.-Background:...
" (Penzabene, Strong, Whitfield) a - "Please Return Your Love to MePlease Return Your Love To Me"Please Return Your Love to Me" is a 1968 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy label. Produced by Norman Whitfield, who co-written the song with Barrett Strong, it is the last single to feature David Ruffin in the lineup...
" (Strong, Whitfield) b - "Fan the Flame" (Al ClevelandAl ClevelandAl Cleveland is a former American songwriter for the Motown label. Among his most popular co-compositions are 1967's "I Second That Emotion" performed by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and 1971's "What's Going On" performed by Marvin Gaye.Cleveland was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United...
, Terry Johnson, Robinson) a - "He Who Picks a Rose" (Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr.Edward Holland, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter and record producer....
, Emilio "Father" Smiley, Whitfield) a
Side two
- "Why Did You Leave Me Darling" (James Dean, Deke RichardsDeke RichardsDeke Richards, also known as Dennis Lussier and Deke Lussier, is a songwriter and record producer, one of many white musicians/songwriters who were affiliated with Motown...
) a - "I Truly, Truly Believe" (George Gordy, Marget Gordy, Allen Story) d
- "This Is My Beloved" (Nickolas Ashford, Valerie SimpsonAshford & SimpsonNickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
) b - "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've GotGonna Give Her All the Love I've Got"Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got" is a psychedelic soul song recorded by Motown singer Marvin Gaye, released on the Tamla label in 1970. Like Gaye's UK hit "Abraham, Martin & John", the song has a social context: it depicts a man anticipating his release from prison on the morrow, when he'll...
" (Strong, Whitfield) c - "I've Passed This Way Before" (Dean, William Weatherspoon) a, d
- "No Man Can Love Her Like I Do" (Holland, Whitfield, 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...
) c
Unreleased track
- "I Know She's Not a Mannequin" (John BristolJohnny BristolJohnny Bristol , was an American musician, most famous as a songwriter and record producer for the Motown label in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
, Shena Dermell, Harvey FuquaHarvey FuquaHarvey Fuqua, was an African-American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, record producer, and record label executive.Fuqua founded the seminal R&B/doo-wop group the Moonglows in the 1950s...
) a - produced by Johnny Bristol
Subsequently been released on Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968).
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 - 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
Producers
- Norman WhitfieldNorman WhitfieldNorman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
: "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)", "I Wish It Would Rain", "Please Return Your Love to Me", "He Who Picks a Rose", "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got", "No Man Can Love Her Like I Do", Executive Producer (Album) - 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...
: "Cindy", "Fan the Flame" - Harvey FuquaHarvey FuquaHarvey Fuqua, was an African-American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, record producer, and record label executive.Fuqua founded the seminal R&B/doo-wop group the Moonglows in the 1950s...
and Johnny BristolJohnny BristolJohnny Bristol , was an American musician, most famous as a songwriter and record producer for the Motown label in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
: "This Is My Beloved" - Henry CosbyHenry CosbyHenry "Hank" R. Cosby was an African American songwriter and record producer for Motown Records...
: "I Truly, Truly Believe" - Dennis LussierDeke RichardsDeke Richards, also known as Dennis Lussier and Deke Lussier, is a songwriter and record producer, one of many white musicians/songwriters who were affiliated with Motown...
: "Why Did You Leave Me Darling" - James Dean and William Weatherspoon: "I've Passed This Way Before"