Studio Album · No. 2
The Temptations Sing Smokey Songwriting Credits by The Temptations
Produced by Smokey Robinson
Holds writing credit on 0 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 0 / 12 documented
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Temptations carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
The whole album is a Smokey Robinson songbook, so the writing credits belong to him and his Miracles collaborators, not the Temptations. Robinson wrote or co-wrote all twelve tracks and produced the record; his co-writers are Miracles Ronald White, Bobby Rogers, and Warren "Pete" Moore, with Berry Gordy Jr. added on two songs. The headline track 'My Girl' was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, with David Ruffin singing lead. Under their common names the writers are Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, and Pete Moore; their legal names are William Robinson, Robert Rogers, and Warren Moore. The Temptations are the interpreters here, and the composer column reflects the Robinson camp rather than the group.
The Temptations Sing Smokey is the second studio album by the Temptations, released March 22, 1965 on Gordy Records. It is a single-writer songbook: every track was written by Smokey Robinson, alone or with his Miracles bandmates Ronald White, Bobby Rogers, and Warren "Pete" Moore, and two songs add Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. Robinson also produced the record, backed by the Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra strings. The album is built around 'My Girl,' Robinson's signature song for the group, which David Ruffin sings as his first lead and which topped the Billboard Hot 100. The Temptations interpret rather than write here, turning Robinson's catalog into a showcase for their five voices and reaching number one on the Top R&B Albums chart.
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Way You Do the Things You Do
#11
|
Smokey RobinsonBobby Rogers | William RobinsonRobert Rogers | Smokey Robinson | Eddie Kendricks (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 2 |
Baby, Baby I Need You
|
Smokey Robinson | William Robinson | Smokey Robinson | Eddie Kendricks (Lead Vocals)Paul Williams (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 3 |
My Girl
#1
|
Smokey RobinsonRonald White | William RobinsonRonald White | Smokey Robinson | David Ruffin (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation)Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Strings) |
| 4 |
What Love Has Joined Together
|
Smokey RobinsonBobby Rogers | William RobinsonRobert Rogers | Smokey Robinson | Eddie Kendricks (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 5 |
You'll Lose a Precious Love
|
Smokey Robinson | William Robinson | Smokey Robinson | David Ruffin (Lead Vocals)Melvin Franklin (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 6 |
It's Growing
#18
|
Smokey RobinsonPete Moore | William RobinsonWarren Moore | Smokey Robinson | David Ruffin (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Andantes (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 7 |
Who's Lovin' You
|
Smokey Robinson | William Robinson | Smokey Robinson | David Ruffin (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 8 |
What's So Good About Goodbye
|
Smokey Robinson | William Robinson | Smokey Robinson | Eddie Kendricks (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 9 |
You Beat Me to the Punch
|
Smokey RobinsonRonald White | William RobinsonRonald White | Smokey Robinson | Paul Williams (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 10 |
Way Over There
|
Berry Gordy Jr.Smokey Robinson | Berry Gordy Jr.William Robinson | Smokey Robinson | Eddie Kendricks (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 11 |
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
|
Smokey Robinson | William Robinson | Smokey Robinson | Eddie Kendricks (Lead Vocals)David Ruffin (Lead Vocals)Paul Williams (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |
| 12 |
(You Can) Depend on Me
|
Berry Gordy Jr.Smokey Robinson | Berry Gordy Jr.William Robinson | Smokey Robinson | Eddie Kendricks (Lead Vocals)Otis Williams (Lead Vocals)The Temptations (Backing Vocals)The Funk Brothers (Instrumentation) |