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This was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, who were both members of The Miracles. Robinson wrote the lyrics, which were inspired by his wife, Claudette.
In a 2006 NPR interview, Robinson explained that he wrote this with David Ruffin's voice in mind. It was the first Temptations single to feature Ruffin on lead vocals (Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams sang lead on previous Temptation's singles), and it led to a greater role for Ruffin, as he became their primary lead singer. Robinson went on to write many more hits for The Temptations, who were considered the most talented vocal group at Motown.
The previous year, Robinson wrote "My Guy" for Motown singer Mary Wells. That song carried the same sentiment of unconditional love, but from a female perspective.
This was the first of 4 US #1 hits for The Temptations.
This was used as the title and theme song of a movie starring Macaulay Culkin.
Some of the many artists who covered this song include Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Dolly Parton and The Mamas & The Papas.
The Rolling Stones covered this song and released it on their
Flowers compilation in June 1967. The Stones also recorded The Temptations' "
Ain't Too Proud To Beg" and "
Just My Imagination" in 1974 and 1978. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)
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Wells' "My Guy", it peaked at #35!!!
I had no idea who He was until I had known him for over a year when in passing, he mentioned that He use to be in the music business. That's the kind of man He was.
We jammed on a number of occasions, he played my Martin and I got to play his ES 335, the guitar that you hear on this song.
He mentioned that they did upwards of forty takes on this song.....over and over again and again. After all that, at something like four in the morning, the one they finally used was the third one. A great guy; I still miss him.
Whenever I hear the opening bars of My Girl, I stop, smile and think about Robert.
I dedicated it the day she was born. Everytime I hear this I naturally think of her, and smile.
Thanks, Temptations, and thank God for music and what it can do.
And, little does she know it, but in two months, at our daughter's wedding reception, I am having the DJ (a personal friend from when I went to college in the late 70s) play this song for our "father-daughter" dance.
Because of the Lack of Credits and despite the Trusty Brand Name, a lot of MOTOWN recordings were NOT recorded here in Detroit. A lot of Out-Sourcing took place in Los Angeles BEFORE the company moved there entirely!
Larry, TN
indeed......i got sunshine.......sweet young first love...the memories....if we only knew at the time it was the best time of our lives!
70's .One of the disc jockeys was an expert on
soul/urban music and claimed thatr "My Girl"
was one of the first big hits about drugs. He claimed that "girl" and "boy" were street terms
for heroin and cocaine.He also pointed out that if
you listen to the lyrics, the "Temps" never refer
to holding hands or kissing as you would with a
usual romantic song, just a feeling, and at least that part of it's true. Anybody heard this--Graybeard