GLOBALRPH MUSICATLASThe Temptations: Artist Essentials
Begin with the concise harmony singles, continue through the longer psychedelic-soul recordings and finish with a later group favorite.
Showing 10 of 10 selected recordings.This depth selects the first 10 recordings in the recommended sequence. Changing the order rearranges those same selections.
When only a year is established, chronological order within that year is approximate.
01list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1964 (year verified)
Original single: My Girl
Original 1964 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The opening instrumental figures create a clear frame for the warm lead and group replies.
Annual appearances: 1965
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1964 (year verified)
The label history documents the original Gordy single in December 1964. The retained annual entry is from 1965. Only the original 1964 year is assigned, without equating annual appearance and first release.
Recording: Original 1964 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: My Girl
Complete Motown Singles - original 1964 program
The chronological original program includes The Way You Do the Things You Do and the December 1964 My Girl single. Later chart and album appearances do not replace their original year. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
My Girl - label publication documenting the original Gordy single
The Universal publication explicitly states that the Gordy single was released in December 1964. This supports the original year independently of its 1965 chart success and subsequent album placement. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
02list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1964 (year verified)
Original single: The Way You Do the Things You Do
Original 1964 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The light phrasing and compact refrain offer a welcoming first step into the early recordings.
Annual appearances: 1964
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1964 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1964 in the release history of The Way You Do the Things You Do. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1964 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: The Way You Do the Things You Do
Complete Motown Singles - original 1964 program
The chronological original program includes The Way You Do the Things You Do and the December 1964 My Girl single. Later chart and album appearances do not replace their original year. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
03list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1966 (year verified)
Original single: Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Original 1966 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The urgent lead and tight answering phrases give the short performance its strong forward pull.
Annual appearances: 1966
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1966 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1966 in the release history of Ain't Too Proud to Beg. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1966 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Complete Motown Singles - original 1966 program
The original program identifies Get Ready, Aint Too Proud to Beg, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep and I Know Im Losing You in 1966. Other performers in subsequent volumes are not used as the original group recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
04list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1966 (year verified)
Original single: Get Ready
Original 1966 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The high lead and clipped rhythmic responses make a vivid contrast to the preceding selection.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1966 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1966 in the release history of Get Ready. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1966 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: Get Ready
Complete Motown Singles - original 1966 program
The original program identifies Get Ready, Aint Too Proud to Beg, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep and I Know Im Losing You in 1966. Other performers in subsequent volumes are not used as the original group recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
05list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1966 (year verified)
Original single: Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
Original 1966 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The easy melodic movement lets the changes in vocal emphasis remain at the center.
Annual appearances: 1966
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1966 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1966 in the release history of Beauty Is Only Skin Deep. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1966 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
Complete Motown Singles - original 1966 program
The original program identifies Get Ready, Aint Too Proud to Beg, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep and I Know Im Losing You in 1966. Other performers in subsequent volumes are not used as the original group recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
06list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1966 (year verified)
Original single: (I Know) I'm Losing You
Original 1966 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The harder accents bring a more forceful group texture into the sequence.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 1966 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1966 in the release history of (I Know) I'm Losing You. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1966 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: (I Know) I'm Losing You
Complete Motown Singles - original 1966 program
The original program identifies Get Ready, Aint Too Proud to Beg, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep and I Know Im Losing You in 1966. Other performers in subsequent volumes are not used as the original group recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
07list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1967 (year verified)
Original single: I Wish It Would Rain
Original 1967 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The measured lead makes the quieter pauses carry as much weight as the larger phrases.
Annual appearances: 1968
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1967 (year verified)
The recording-specific field and original chronological single program establish the late-1967 release. The 1968 album and annual entry remain later events; only year precision is assigned.
Recording: Original 1967 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: I Wish It Would Rain
Complete Motown Singles - original 1967 program
The original 1967 program includes Youre My Everything and I Wish It Would Rain. The latter was released late in 1967 before its 1968 annual and album appearances. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
I Wish It Would Rain - original recording date
The original recording field explicitly gives December 1967. The later 1968 Wish It Would Rain album and annual-list appearance are separate events; only original-year precision is assigned. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
08list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1969 (year verified)
Original single: I Can't Get Next to You
Original 1969 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The changing voices make the short refrain feel like a rapid conversation within the group.
Annual appearances: 1969
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1969 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1969 in the release history of I Can't Get Next to You. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1969 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: I Can't Get Next to You
Complete Motown Singles - original 1969 program
The original program documents I Cant Get Next to You, the shorter Runaway Child single and the late-1969 Psychedelic Shack single. Short edits and other performers with the same title remain separate from the chosen full album performances. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
09list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1971 (year verified)
Original single: Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
Original 1971 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The patient melody gives the softer parts of the harmony blend room to come forward.
Annual appearances: 1971
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1971 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1971 in the release history of Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me). Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1971 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original single: Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
Complete Motown Singles - original 1971 first-half program
The original first-half 1971 program includes Just My Imagination, with the recording-specific licensed item confirming the Temptations credit. Later compilation fields are not original release dates. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
10list
orderThe Temptations
First released: 1972 (year verified)
Original album: All Directions
Original 1972 full Temptations album performance, approximately 12:04
MusicAtlas editorial note: Stay with the complete album performance and follow the instrumental development around each returning vocal section.
Annual version match under reviewThe selected recording has release evidence, but its version has not been matched to the retained annual entry. It is omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until this match is resolved.
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1972 (year verified)
The selected original recording is documented in 1972 in the release history of All Directions. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.
Recording: Original 1972 full Temptations album performance, approximately 12:04
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance
Original album: All Directions
All Directions - original 1972 album program
The original eight-track program identifies the complete approximately 12:04 Temptations Papa Was a Rollin Stone performance in 1972. The earlier Undisputed Truth recording and the shorter Temptations single are separate. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
Temptations Gold - recording-specific years and separately labeled single editions
The licensed anthology distinguishes the approximately 4:46 Runaway Child, 6:57 Papa Was a Rollin Stone and 4:21 Masterpiece single presentations from the selected full original album performances. Its recording fields also identify Superstar in 1971; the 2005 compilation is not an original date. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
ALL 66 ANNUAL COLLECTIONS1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.
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