My Girl

Album: Greatest Hits (1965)
Charted: 2 1
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  • I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
    When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May
    I guess you'll say
    What can make me feel this way?
    My girl (my girl, my girl)
    Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

    I've got so much honey, the bees envy me
    I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
    Well, I guess you'll say
    What can make me feel this way?
    My girl (my girl, my girl)
    Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
    Ooh

    I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
    I've got all the riches, baby, one man can claim
    Well, I guess you'll say
    What can make me feel this way?
    My girl (my girl, my girl)
    Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

    (Talkin' 'bout my girl)
    I've got sunshine on a cloudy day with my girl
    I've even got the month of May with my girl
    Talkin' 'bout, talkin' 'bout, talkin' 'bout Writer/s: Ronald White, William Robinson Jr.
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 45

  • Ronsha from New JerseySomething about this song makes it so beautiful - maybe it's the clever lyrics, or the melody or just simply its simplicity; I'm not sure, but I always come back to this song. Shame that none of my classmates would know this awesome hit, well, they're Gen-Z anyways :(
  • Jennifur SunMr Whites first name was not Ronald it was Robert two of the guitars on this as well was Joe Messina(and pretty sure of Eddied Willis as well)
  • Robert from Chicag,ilCooley High,was the first movie this song was used in. A coming of age movie based in Chicago's northwest side in 1975. Why is it that movies and music always get taken and made to be newer or never shine light on where it was used first?
  • Dan from SeattleAt the time this was in "Pop 40" radio air-play ( as opposed to "oldies" radio ), it was frequently called "The National Anthem Of Soul".
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaMy very fav Motown tune. Just loved loved loved that opening Bass and then lead guitar riff. You can hear the first three notes and know what song it is.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, Ny{A footnote to the next post below}
    On February 10th 1965, the Temptations performed "My Girl" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!'...
    Twenty seven years later the song was re-issued in the United Kingdom; and on February 23rd, 1992 it peaked at #2 for two weeks on the United Kingdom's Singles chart, the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Stay" by Shakespear's Sister.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 10th 1965, the Temptations performed "My Girl" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!'...
    At the time the song was at #5 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and eighteen days later on February 28th, 1965 it peaked at #1 for week {See earlier post below}...
    If I had to choose my favorite Temp record, impossible; for this one, "I Wish It Would Rain", and "Just My Imagination" are all just super and are among the three greatest Motown records every recorded.
  • Tdot from Lakewood, Wa.In the Sirius Radio interview of Sept 09 2014 Smokey Robinson said the distinctive guitar riff was written by lead guitarist Robert White during the recording session. He also added that the song was not written or inspired by his then wife Claudette.
  • Markantney from BiloxeAug 2014,

    Bill in KC,

    Not that your friend DIDN'T believe it but I think he's the one with the fixation on Drugs, not Smokey Robinson?

    But if I knew your friend, I'd ask him to link Smokey Robinson and Ron White to (major) Drug Issues and references in songs?

    Now Rick James had no problem making subtle drug references in songs or an entire song about Drugs, "Mary Jane" but I don't think Smokey and the Miracles "BLAZED" a trail for the SuperFreak as it pertains to drugs?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 28th 1967, the Temptations performed a medley of "My Girl," "All I Need," and "(I Know) I'm Losing You" on the CBS-TV program 'The Ed Sullivan Show'...
    At the time "All I Need" was at #10 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart...
    Following 'Sullivan' was the 'Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour'; and on that program the Association made their national TV debut and performed their debut charted record, "All Comes Mary".
  • Linda from Doncaster, United KingdomThis is my all time great have loved since I was a teen now in my 60s Its extra special as my daughter was born in May. This is my song for her.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 10th 1965, "My Girl" by the Temptations entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on February 28th it peaked at #1 (for 1 week) and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100 (and 8 of those 13 weeks were on the Top 10)...
    And on January 24th, 1965 it reached #1 (for 6 weeks) on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    As stated above they had four #1s on Billboard' Top 100 chart; but on the R&B Singles chart they had fifteen #1s (plus they had four that reached #2)...
    In 1980 Amii Stewart and Johnny Bristol combined "My Guy" and "My Girl" as a medley, and it peaked at #63 on the Top 100.
  • Daan from Santpoort-noord, NetherlandsTalking about my girl :)
  • Astrid from Guaynabo, Puerto RicoAlso used in Three Men & a Little Baby, and in The Big Chill
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyIn 1968 former teen idol Bobby Vee released a single that was a medley of "My Girl" and Mary
    Wells' "My Guy", it peaked at #35!!!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyThe Wallflowers were playing The Tradewinds in Sea Bright, NJ on March 8th, 1997 when Bruce Springsteen joined them on stage and 'My Girl' was one of the songs they sang...
  • David from Los Angeles, CaI met Robert White after he moved to Los Angeles several years before his untimely death. He was the most unassuming, talented guitarist. I was teaching a class and he was one of my students.
    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.
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiAnother one of my favorite Tempations songs.
  • Wayne from Maple Valley, WaAgree with Randy about the movie "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" which is about the Funk Brothers. What a great band they were and they played on all the great Motown songs and behind all the great Motown artists in Detroit. Robert White played what is likely one of the greatest and most recognizable guitar hooks in all of rock music.
  • Clubber Lange from Ocean Gate, NjRuffin was the best lead singer, sorry eddie...
  • Lisa from Milwaukee, Wi, WiThis is my song for my daughter, who is 21.
    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.
  • Mike from Hastings, NeThis is the first song that my daughter danced to...and she doesn't even know it. When my wife was pregnant with her, we went to see the Temptations in concert at the FANTASTIC Orpheum Theatre in Omaha, NE. As the first strains ot this song came up, my wife felt her kick. She continued to kick all the way through the song.
    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.
  • Becca Guerrero from Muskegon, AfghanistanThis song makes me smile every time i hear it! Even though its an older song it still fits in everyday like of younger kids. I i want to thank you for making a great song like this. Now me and dad have a song. Its just so great... I love you.....THE TEMPTATIONS!!!!
  • Kristin from Santa Maria, CaThis song was played at my friends funeral. Every I hear the song it reminds me of her and makes me cry
  • Kenneth from Cleveland, OhClassic timeless song!Ruffins lead is amazing!
  • Shannon from Channahon, Ilhey i really like this song every time i listen to it, it makes me want to cry because dont really know my dad that much and when it says my girl thats what is sad
  • Laura from Hacienda Heights, CaThe very first chords of this song just sets me into this feeling where i just close my eyes and here David's voice and just am blown away like Ive never heard it before. The song when you are alone and you just really listen to the lyrics and the range of the voices can really set off so much emotion. And yes it's such a famed song and you've heard it a thousand times like I have and in movies and such but when you really take it in, you will discover a whole new appreciation for it and the temptations as well.
  • Dave from Oak Park, MiSomeone find the Affiliated Federation of Musicians credits in the Musicians Union's records (or at least go to a certain Record Company's files) for the Musicians who REALLY played on this and other Motown recordings.

    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!
  • Eddie from Natchez, MsWhen my daughter and I sing this song we replace my girl with daddy's girl. Thanks Smokey.
  • Caitlin from Upper Township, NjI love this song! This is my dad's song for me. i think it is so sweet
  • Marcus from Maitland, Flum, i believe that this was the first single by the temps with ruffin singing lead as opposed to kendricks, but i'd like to know if i'm wrong.
  • Bobodobo from Los Angeles, CaIt's an ok song but it gets SO much airplay even 40 years after its release that it gets tiring. One popular FM station in LA plays it so much that I refer to that station as K-MyGirl.
  • Larry Harris from Kingsport, TnThe heartbeat sound at the beginning of the song is Funk Brothers bass player James Jamerson playing dead strings on his bass. Very hard to duplicate.
    Larry, TN
  • Fred from New York, NyI've never heard that, Bill, and I'm pretty sure that drug references were incredibly uncommon in Motown music.
  • Greatwall from Nanjing, ChinaI knew this song from a Korean movie which named My sassy girl. Nice movie,nice song!!!
  • Nikki from Remington, VaThis song was also featured in several other movies, including 'Soul Food'
  • Scott from Chicago, Ilinteresting aside....notice how the beginning riff sounds like a heart beating....love in bloom
    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!
  • Mgjghh from Hghfghfg, MtMy teacher used to play this song in our classroom and the girls all sang along. Man that got annoying!
  • Izzie from Lala, Hithis is probably my favorite classic oldie song. it's so cute.
  • Jim Morrison from Tinley Park, IlI agree with Gonny of FakeTown. Lousy rendition on American Dreams!
  • Bill from Kansas City, KsI worked at a Dallas radio station in the early
    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
  • Brandon from Seattle, WaWritten by Smokey Robinson as an answer record to Mary Wells' "My Guy", of which featured both the Temptations and Supremes for background vocals. And, the Temptations and Supremes did a melody of "My Girl"/"My Guy."
  • Gonny from Faketown, GaAmerican Idol ruined this song for me.
  • Lupanar from Rosario, ArgentinaIt was recorded by Jackson Five and also by The Rolling Stones. In my country Argentina, the Rolling Stone's versiÃ?n was used at the end of a great TV serie calle "Okupas".
  • Randy from Beaumont, TxWONDERFUL Movie about the Motown house band (the Funk Brothers). Came out in 2003 and called "Standing in the Shadow of Motown". Also think the movie "The Temptations" is VERY good too
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