"Just My Imagination
(Running Away with Me)"
is a song by American soul group The
Temptations. When released as a single,
"Just My Imagination" became the third
Temptations song to reach number one on the
US Billboard Hot 100. The single held the
number one position on the Billboard Pop
Singles Chart for two weeks in 1971, from March
27 to April 10. Today,
"Just My Imagination" is considered one of
the Temptations' signature songs, and is
notable for recalling the sound of the group's
1960s recordings. It is also the final Temptations
single to feature founding members Eddie
Kendricks and Paul WilliamsThe song's first two
verses establish the song's theme and explore
the narrator's daydreams. In his mind, the
narrator and his unrequited love are lovers,
prepared to be married, Then, in the bridge, the
narrator prays to God that he will never lose the
lady's love to another, or he will "surely die".
The song's final line, however, reveals that he
possesses her love only within the confines of
his own imagination "the Temptations'
performance has a dream-like quality, quietly
drifting through the singer's hopes and desires.
(Running Away with Me)"
is a song by American soul group The
Temptations. When released as a single,
"Just My Imagination" became the third
Temptations song to reach number one on the
US Billboard Hot 100. The single held the
number one position on the Billboard Pop
Singles Chart for two weeks in 1971, from March
27 to April 10. Today,
"Just My Imagination" is considered one of
the Temptations' signature songs, and is
notable for recalling the sound of the group's
1960s recordings. It is also the final Temptations
single to feature founding members Eddie
Kendricks and Paul WilliamsThe song's first two
verses establish the song's theme and explore
the narrator's daydreams. In his mind, the
narrator and his unrequited love are lovers,
prepared to be married, Then, in the bridge, the
narrator prays to God that he will never lose the
lady's love to another, or he will "surely die".
The song's final line, however, reveals that he
possesses her love only within the confines of
his own imagination "the Temptations'
performance has a dream-like quality, quietly
drifting through the singer's hopes and desires.
Formed in Detroit, Michigan in
1960 as The Elgins,
the Temptations have always
featured at least five male
vocalists/dancers. The original
group included members of two
local Detroit vocal groups: The
Distants, which featured second
tenor Otis Williams, first tenor
Elbridge "Al" Bryant and bass
Melvin Franklin; and first
tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks
and second tenor/baritone Paul
Williams (no relation to Otis)
from The Primes.
Among the most notable
future Temptations were lead
singers David Ruffin
1960 as The Elgins,
the Temptations have always
featured at least five male
vocalists/dancers. The original
group included members of two
local Detroit vocal groups: The
Distants, which featured second
tenor Otis Williams, first tenor
Elbridge "Al" Bryant and bass
Melvin Franklin; and first
tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks
and second tenor/baritone Paul
Williams (no relation to Otis)
from The Primes.
Among the most notable
future Temptations were lead
singers David Ruffin
My Girl"
is a 1964 song recorded by The
Temptations for the Gordy
(Motown) label which became a
number one hit in 1965. Written
and produced by The Miracles
members Smokey Robinson
and Ronald White, the song
became the Temptations' first
U.S. number-one single, and is
today one of their their
signature songs. Robinson's
inspiration for writing this song
was his wife, Miracles member
Claudette Rogers RobinsonThe
recorded version of "My Girl"
was the first Temptations single
to feature David Ruffin on lead
vocals.
Previously, Eddie Kendricks
and Paul Williams had
performed most of the group's
lead vocals, and Ruffin had
joined the group as a
replacement for former
Temptation Elbridge "Al"
Bryant. "My Girl" climbed to the
top of the U.S. pop charts after
its Christmas time 1964 release,
making it the Temptations' first
number-one hit.
The signature guitar riff heard
during the introduction and
under the verses was played by
Robert White of the Funk
Brothers.
is a 1964 song recorded by The
Temptations for the Gordy
(Motown) label which became a
number one hit in 1965. Written
and produced by The Miracles
members Smokey Robinson
and Ronald White, the song
became the Temptations' first
U.S. number-one single, and is
today one of their their
signature songs. Robinson's
inspiration for writing this song
was his wife, Miracles member
Claudette Rogers RobinsonThe
recorded version of "My Girl"
was the first Temptations single
to feature David Ruffin on lead
vocals.
Previously, Eddie Kendricks
and Paul Williams had
performed most of the group's
lead vocals, and Ruffin had
joined the group as a
replacement for former
Temptation Elbridge "Al"
Bryant. "My Girl" climbed to the
top of the U.S. pop charts after
its Christmas time 1964 release,
making it the Temptations' first
number-one hit.
The signature guitar riff heard
during the introduction and
under the verses was played by
Robert White of the Funk
Brothers.
