Question 1

Did the Temptations write their own songs?

Accepted Answer

Mostly no. The Temptations were a vocal group, and their hits were written and produced by Motown's staff writers such as Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield, and Barrett Strong. Individual members occasionally received writing credits, but the group's identity rests on their singing, not their songwriting.

Question 2

Who wrote 'My Girl'?

Accepted Answer

Smokey Robinson and Ronald 'Ronnie' White of the Miracles wrote 'My Girl.' Robinson also produced the 1964 recording, which gave the Temptations their first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single with David Ruffin on lead.

Question 3

Who wrote 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone'?

Accepted Answer

Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone,' and Whitfield produced it. The 1972 recording won three Grammy Awards, including honors for the group's vocal performance and for the instrumental version.

Question 4

Who wrote 'Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)'?

Accepted Answer

Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote 'Just My Imagination,' with Whitfield producing. It was a 1971 number-one hit and one of Eddie Kendricks's last lead vocals before he left the group.

Question 5

Who were the members of the Temptations?

Accepted Answer

The best-known lineup is the 'Classic Five': Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin. Dennis Edwards replaced Ruffin in 1968 and sang lead on many of the group's later hits.

Question 6

Who is the only constant member of the Temptations?

Accepted Answer

Otis Williams, born Otis Miles Jr., founded the group and is its only original member still performing. He is also the last surviving member of the classic lineup and owns the rights to the Temptations name.

Question 7

Who was Norman Whitfield and why does his name appear so often?

Accepted Answer

Norman Whitfield was a Motown producer and songwriter who, with lyricist Barrett Strong, wrote and produced much of the Temptations' 'psychedelic soul' era. Their credits include 'Cloud Nine,' 'Ball of Confusion,' 'Just My Imagination,' and 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone.'

Question 8

Did any Temptations members write songs for the group?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. The group's authorship belongs almost entirely to Motown's professional writing and production staff. Members are credited on the recordings as performers, so the songwriting on their catalog is attributed to writers like Robinson, Whitfield, and Strong rather than to the singers.

Question 9

Was 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg' written by the Temptations?

Accepted Answer

No. 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg' was written by Norman Whitfield and Edward Holland Jr. and produced by Whitfield. The 1966 hit later gave its name to the Broadway musical about the group's history.

Question 10

What is the difference between the Temptations and their songwriters on a credits site?

Accepted Answer

On songwriting credits the Temptations appear as the performing artist, while the authorship line points to the Motown writers who composed each track. A credit for 'My Girl' names Smokey Robinson and Ronald White as writers, with the Temptations listed as the act that recorded it.