The Temptations: Artist Essentials

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First released: 1965 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1965 in the release history of Since I Lost My Baby. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1965 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: Since I Lost My Baby

Complete Motown Singles - original 1965 program
The original 1965 program identifies Its Growing, Since I Lost My Baby, My Baby and Dont Look Back. The Temptations My Baby is the separately labeled Single Version/Mono entry, not the Freeman Brothers recording elsewhere in the same set. Alternate and second versions are not selected. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1965 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1965 in the release history of My Baby. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1965 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: My Baby

Complete Motown Singles - original 1965 program
The original 1965 program identifies Its Growing, Since I Lost My Baby, My Baby and Dont Look Back. The Temptations My Baby is the separately labeled Single Version/Mono entry, not the Freeman Brothers recording elsewhere in the same set. Alternate and second versions are not selected. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

My Baby - correct Temptations original single item
The recording-specific item identifies the approximately 2:59 Temptations single. The same-titled Freeman Brothers item and the separately labeled second Temptations version are excluded. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1965 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1965 in the release history of It's Growing. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1965 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: It's Growing

Complete Motown Singles - original 1965 program
The original 1965 program identifies Its Growing, Since I Lost My Baby, My Baby and Dont Look Back. The Temptations My Baby is the separately labeled Single Version/Mono entry, not the Freeman Brothers recording elsewhere in the same set. Alternate and second versions are not selected. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1965 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1965 in the release history of Don't Look Back. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1965 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: Don't Look Back

Complete Motown Singles - original 1965 program
The original 1965 program identifies Its Growing, Since I Lost My Baby, My Baby and Dont Look Back. The Temptations My Baby is the separately labeled Single Version/Mono entry, not the Freeman Brothers recording elsewhere in the same set. Alternate and second versions are not selected. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1967 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1967 in the release history of You're My Everything. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1967 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: You're My Everything

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

First released: 1968 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1968 in the release history of I'm Gonna Make You Love Me. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1968 joint studio recording
Credit: Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original Temptations group contribution to the joint recording with Diana Ross & The Supremes

Original single: I'm Gonna Make You Love Me

Im Gonna Make You Love Me - complete original joint credit
The licensed item explicitly identifies Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations in November 1968. Both groups remain in the selected performer credit; no solo identity is substituted. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1969 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1969 in the release history of Cloud Nine. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1969 full album performance, approximately 9:35
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original album: Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine - original 1969 album program
The original ten-track program identifies the complete approximately 9:35 Runaway Child, Running Wild in 1969. It separately carries the earlier 1968 date for the Cloud Nine recording; neither the shorter Runaway Child single nor another performers version is the selected long performance. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

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

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

First released: 1970 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1970 in the release history of Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today). Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1970 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)

Complete Motown Singles - original 1970 program
The original 1970 program identifies Ball of Confusion as the approximately four-minute Temptations single. Other groups Get Ready or Losing You performances elsewhere in this program are not treated as Temptations originals. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1969 (year verified)

The recording-specific field and original chronological single program establish the late-1969 release. The 1970 album and annual entry remain later events; only year precision is assigned.

Recording: Original 1969 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: Psychedelic Shack

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

Psychedelic Shack - original recording date
The original recording field explicitly gives December 1969. The later 1970 album and annual-list appearance do not replace the original year. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1968 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1968 in the release history of Cloud Nine. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1968 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original single: Cloud Nine

Complete Motown Singles - original 1968 program
The original Cloud Nine single is explicitly dated October 1968, before the 1969 album. The joint Supremes recording retains both groups in the original credit. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1971 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1971 in the release history of Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are). 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: Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)

Complete Motown Singles - original 1971 second-half program
The original second-half 1971 program includes the Temptations Superstar single, distinct from its separately labeled stereo promo. The later Solid Rock album does not change the 1971 first-release year. | 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

First released: 1973 (year verified)

The original recording-specific field identifies 1973. The 2014 album header is the later digital reissue, not the first release of the complete original album performance. Only year precision is assigned.

Recording: Original 1973 full album performance, approximately 13:50
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original album: Masterpiece

Masterpiece - original recording fields and full program
The six-track original program identifies the approximately 13:50 title recording with a 1973 recording-specific release field. The 2014 album header is a reissue date, not the first release of this original performance. | 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

First released: 1973 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1973 in the release history of 1990. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1973 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original album: 1990

Let Your Hair Down - original recording item
The recording item identifies the original 1973 performance from the album titled 1990. The album title is not a release year; the specific November 1973 field is used only to support year precision. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1975 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1975 in the release history of A Song for You. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1975 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original album: A Song for You

A Song For You - original 1975 program
The original nine-track program identifies Shakey Ground in 1975. The selected vocal recording is separate from the programs instrumental Happy People entry; January 1 is not claimed as an exact original day. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

First released: 1984 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1984 in the release history of Truly for You. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1984 studio recording
Credit: The Temptations
Role in this collection: Original group performance

Original album: Truly for You

Truly for You - original 1984 program
The original eight-track program identifies Treat Her Like a Lady in 1984. The first-of-year header is used only for year precision; this is the Temptations performance rather than Cornelius Brothers & Sister Roses earlier song with the same title. | Reviewed 2026-10-18