The Temptations Sing Smokey

Untitled

The Temptations Sing Smokey is a 1965 album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. As its name implies, it is comprised 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 are Temptations originals. Among these are two successful hit singles, with lead vocals by new Temptation David Ruffin: "It's Growing" and the Temptation's signature song, "My Girl". Not included are three singles which predate these two singles, "I'll Be in Trouble", "The Girl's Alright With Me", 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

Superscripts denote lead singers for each track: (a) David Ruffin, (b) Eddie Kendricks, (c) Paul Williams, (d) Melvin Franklin, (e) Otis Williams, (f) Temptations ensemble.

1. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" ^b
2. "Baby, Baby I Need You" ^{e (bridge/outro: c, b)}
3. "My Girl" ^a
4. "What Love Has Joined Together" ^b
5. "You'll Lose A Precious Love" ^{a (bridge: d)}
6. "It's Growing" ^a
7. "Who's Lovin' You" ^a
8. "What's So Good About Good Bye" ^b
9. "You Beat Me To The Punch" ^c
10. "Way Over There" ^b
11. "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" ^{b (harmony co-lead: a, c)}
12. "(You Can) Depend On Me" ^{b (harmony co-lead: e)}

Personnel

• 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")
• The Andantes: background vocals ("It's Growing")
• Smokey Robinson: producer, executive producer

Chart and singles history

Title	Information
"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

Name	Chart (1964-1965)	Peak position
The Temptations Sing Smokey	U.S. Billboard Pop Albums	35
The Temptations Sing Smokey	U.S. Top R&B Albums	1
"The Way You Do the Things You Do"	U.S. Billlboard Pop Singles	11
"The Way You Do the Things You Do"	U.S. CashBox R&B Singles	1
"Baby, Baby I Need You"	U.S. Billboard Pop Singles	-
"My Girl"	U.S. Billboard Pop Singles	1
"My Girl"	U.S. Billboard R&B Singles	1
"It's Growing"	U.S. Billboard Pop Singles	18
"It's Growing"	U.S. Billboard R&B Singles	3
"What Love Has Joined Together"	U.S. Billboard Pop Singles
"What Love Has Joined Together"	U.S. Billboard R&B Singles