Welcome to today’s post that is all about The Temptations songs that we all love and still listen to today.

The Temptations are as if you didn’t know already, an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan. They released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s.  The band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in  music history.

Featuring five male vocalists and dancers (save for brief periods with fewer or more members), the group formed in 1960 in Detroit under the name the Elgins. The founding members came from two rival Detroit vocal groups: Otis Williams, Elbridge “Al” Bryant, and Melvin Franklin of Otis Williams & the Distants, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of the Primes.

Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin In 1964, who was the lead vocalist on a number of the group’s biggest hits, including “My Girl” (1964), “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (1966), and “I Wish It Would Rain” (1967). In 1968 Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards, with whom the group continued to record hit records such as “Cloud Nine” (1968), “I Can’t Get Next to You” (1969), and “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” (1970).

The group’s lineup has changed frequently since the departures of Kendricks and Paul Williams from the act in 1971. Later members of the group have included singers such as Richard Street, Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, and Ali-Ollie Woodson, with whom the group had a hit in 1984 with “Treat Her Like a Lady” and in 1987 with the theme song for the children’s movement program Kids in Motion.

As of 2022, the Temptations continue to perform with founder Otis Williams in the lineup (Williams owns the rights to the Temptations name). Now we have had a look at the origins of the group let’s take a look at their chart successes over the years.

The Temptations Songs – The Singles 1960s

I will only list songs that made the top 50 in the UK and if applicable the US.

1. The Way You Do The Things You Do (1964) US only (11)
2. I’ll Be In Trouble (1964) US only (33)
3. Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) (1964) US only (26)
4. My Girl (1964) (2) (1)
5. It’s Growing (1965) (45) (18)
6. Since I Lost My Baby (1965) US only (17)
7. My Baby (1965) US only (13)
8. Get Ready (1966) (10) (29)
9. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg (1966) (21) (13)
10. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep (1966) (18) (3)
11. (I Know) I’m Losing You (1966) (19) (8)
12. All I Need (1967) (60) (8)
13. You’re My Everything (1967) (26) (6)
14. (Loneliness Made Me Realize) It’s You That I Need (1967) US only (14)
15. I Wish It Would Rain (1968) (45) (4)
16. I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
17. Please Return Your Love To Me (1968) US only (26)
18. Cloud Nine (1968) (15) (6)
19. I’m Gonna Make You Love Me (1969) (3) (2)
20. Runaway Child, Running Wild (1969) US only (6)
21. I’ll Try Something New (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (1969) US only (25)
22. Don’t Let The Joneses Get You Down 1969) US only (20)
23. I Second That Emotion (1969) (18)
24. I Can’t Get Next To You (1969) (13) (1)
25. The Weight (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (1969) US Only (45)

The Temptations Songs – The Singles

1. Psychedelic Shack (1970) (33) (7)
2. Why (Must We Fall In Love) (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (31)
3. Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today) (1970) (7) (3)
4. Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World) (1970) US only (33)
5. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (1971) (8) (1)
6. Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) (1971) (32) (18)
7. Take A Look Around (1972) (13) (30)
8. Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (1972) (14) (1)
9. Masterpiece (1973) (51) (7)
10. Plastic Man (1973) US only (40)
11. Hey Girl (I Like Your Style) (1973) US only (35)
12. Law Of The Land (1973) (41)
13. Let Your Hair Down (instrumentation by Rose Royce) (1973) US only (27)
14. Heavenly (1974) US only (43)
15. Happy People (instrumentation by The Commodores) (1974) US only (40)
16. Shakey Ground (instrumentation by The Eddie Hazel Band) (1975) US only (25)
17. Glasshouse (1975) US only (37)
18. Power (1980) US only (43)
19. Treat Her Like A Lady (1984) (12) (48)
20. Lady Soul (1986) US only (47)
21. The Motown Song (Rod Stewart ft. the Temptations) (1991) (10) (10)

I hope you enjoyed this look at The Temptations songs. Leave a comment below and  let me know your favourite.

If you get a minute could you please pop over to my Facebook Page and join us. I plan to build this page this year as I have more time on my hands since retiring.  I am trying to get people to share their favourite 70s music.  As you know we do not all like the same songs and it would be great to hear page members favourite 70s songs.  I hope to see you there soon.

Thanks For Visiting Today. Make sure you come back as I build the site, leave a comment below if there is any singer or group you think I should add to the site.

Frank