Studio Album · No. 10
All Directions Songwriting Credits by The Temptations
Produced by Norman Whitfield · Engineered by Orson Lewis
Holds writing credit on 0 of 8 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 0 / 8 documented
Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Temptations carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
The Temptations do not write this album; they interpret it. Norman Whitfield produced every track, and the signature epic 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' was written by Whitfield with Barrett Strong, the same team behind the album opener 'Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On.' The record leans on outside writers throughout: Ashford and Simpson, the King brothers, Ewan MacColl, Dino Fekaris with Nick Zesses, and Isaac Hayes. The performer credit is where the group and the Funk Brothers live, most famously on the long instrumental intro to 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone.' In the composer column MacColl appears under his legal name, James Henry Miller.
All Directions is a 1972 studio album by The Temptations, released July 27, 1972 on Gordy Records and produced by Norman Whitfield during the group's psychedelic-soul and funk peak. The Temptations are the interpreters here; the songs are written by outside hands, with the Whitfield and Barrett Strong team supplying the album's centerpiece. That centerpiece is the near-twelve-minute 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone,' whose extended instrumental opening was cut by the Funk Brothers and which topped the Billboard Hot 100. The single won three Grammy Awards in 1973: Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group, Best R&B Instrumental Performance, and Best R&B Song. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B Albums chart, and was certified Gold by the RIAA.
Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
|
Norman WhitfieldBarrett Strong | Norman Jesse WhitfieldBarrett Strong | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Lead Vocals)Damon Harris (Vocals)Richard Street (Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals) |
| 2 |
Run Charlie Run
|
Maurice KingJan Forman | C. Maurice KingJan Forman | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Vocals)Damon Harris (Vocals)Richard Street (Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
#1
|
Norman WhitfieldBarrett Strong | Norman Jesse WhitfieldBarrett Strong | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Lead Vocals)Richard Street (Lead Vocals)Damon Harris (Lead Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals)Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin (Guitar)Paul Warren (Guitar)Bob Babbitt (Bass)Aaron Smith (Drums)Earl Van Dyke (Fender Rhodes)Johnny Griffith (Organ)Maurice Davis (Trumpet) |
| 4 |
Love Woke Me Up This Morning
|
Nickolas AshfordValerie Simpson | Nickolas AshfordValerie Simpson | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Vocals)Damon Harris (Vocals)Richard Street (Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals) |
| 5 |
I Ain't Got Nothin'
|
Maurice KingEvans King | C. Maurice KingEvans King | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Vocals)Damon Harris (Vocals)Richard Street (Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals) |
| 6 |
The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)
|
Ewan MacColl | James Henry Miller | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Vocals)Damon Harris (Vocals)Richard Street (Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals) |
| 7 |
Mother Nature
#27
|
Dino FekarisNick Zesses | Dino FekarisNick Zesses | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Vocals)Damon Harris (Vocals)Richard Street (Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals) |
| 8 |
Do Your Thing
|
Isaac Hayes | Isaac Hayes | Norman Whitfield | Dennis Edwards (Vocals)Damon Harris (Vocals)Richard Street (Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Vocals)Otis Williams (Vocals) |