The Temptations Sing Smokey is the second studio album by the Temptations for the Motown label, released on the Gordy Records subsidiary (G 912) in 1965. As its name implies, it is composed entirely of songs written and produced by Smokey Robinson, and several other members of the Miracles as well.
Several of the songs are covers of songs Robinson produced for the Miracles or Mary Wells, while the rest were originally recorded by The Temptations. Among these are three successful hit singles, starting with "The Way You Do the Things You Do", which featured Eddie Kendricks on lead vocals. The next two songs feature lead vocals by new Temptation David Ruffin – "It's Growing" and the group's signature song, "My Girl".
Not included are two singles which predate these two singles, "I'll Be in Trouble" and "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" (whose B-side, "Baby, Baby I Need You", is here). These songs would be included on the next Temptations album, The Temptin' Temptations. A third hit single, "The Way You Do the Things You Do", is present here, although it was also issued on the previous Temptations album, Meet the Temptations.
Track listing
Both these songs have subsequently been released.
Personnel The Temptations David Ruffin – vocals (all tracks except "Baby, Baby I Need You") Eddie Kendricks – vocals Paul Williams – vocals Melvin Franklin – vocals Otis Williams – vocals Elbridge "Al" Bryant – vocals ("Baby, Baby I Need You") with: The Andantes – additional backing vocals ("It's Growing") The Funk Brothers – instrumentation Detroit Symphony Orchestra – strings
Technical Smokey Robinson – producer, executive producer Bob Folster – cover design
Chart and singles history TitleInformation"The Way You Do the Things You Do" Gordy single 7028, January 23, 1964 B-side – "Just Let Me Know" (recorded 1963; from Meet The Temptations)"Baby, Baby I Need You"(recorded 1963; b-side of "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)")Gordy single 7035, August 20, 1964"My Girl" Gordy single 7038, December 21, 1964 B-side – "(Talking 'Bout) Nobody But My Baby" (non album side)"It's Growing"Gordy single 7040, March 18, 1965 B-side – "What Love Has Joined Together""You'll Lose a Precious Love"(b-side of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg")Gordy single 7057, May 3, 1966
NameChart (1964–1965)PeakpositionThe Temptations Sing SmokeyU.S. Billboard Pop Albums35The Temptations Sing SmokeyU.S. Top R&B Albums1"The Way You Do the Things You Do"U.S. Billboard Pop Singles11"The Way You Do the Things You Do"U.S. CashBox R&B Singles1"Baby, Baby I Need You"U.S. Billboard Pop Singles-"My Girl"U.S. Billboard Pop Singles1"My Girl"U.S. Billboard R&B Singles1"It's Growing"U.S. Billboard Pop Singles18"It's Growing"U.S. Billboard R&B Singles3"What Love Has Joined Together"U.S. Billboard Pop Singles"What Love Has Joined Together"U.S. Billboard R&B Singles
Note – There was no Billboard R&B singles chart from November 1963 until January 1965. Most discographies include R&B information from Cash Box magazine to fill in the gap in the R&B chart, as is done here with the 1964 releases.
See also List of number-one R&B albums of 1965 (U.S.)
References