Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)
The Temptations | Artist Essentials
First released: 1970 (year verified)
Original 1970 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The quickly shifting phrases and repeated group accents make this an energetic center for the later recordings.
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Release evidence and recording details
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
In the yearly lists
These are listening-list appearances, separate from the first-release date.
Reviewed original title, retained performer credit and documented recording identify the same performance. Annual placement and original release remain separate.
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
About The Temptations
The Temptations developed in Detroit and signed to Motown in 1961. Their recordings paired carefully arranged vocal harmonies with coordinated stage movement, making the group sound and visual presentation closely connected. The Way You Do the Things You Do and My Girl helped establish their 1960s repertoire. Later recordings explored funk and psychedelic soul as the membership changed. Those phases remain part of the group's history, distinct from the solo work of singers who passed through it.
Artist background sources
The Temptations - official group history
Detroit and 1961 Motown signing, harmonies/choreography, early repertoire, changing historical lineups and funk/psychedelic soul; current membership and chart totals are omitted. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
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