The Temptations Songs Ranked

The Temptations are an American vocal group that released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group’s work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single “Cloud Nine” in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music. The band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music. As of 2020, the Temptations continue to perform with founder Otis Williams in the lineup (Williams owns the rights to the Temptations name). Here are all of The Temptations songs ranked

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20. Some Enchanted Evening (For Lovers Only, 1995)

“This whole album (For Lovers Only) is phenomenal. It would make a great gift! The arrangement and performance of the Classics is pure genius! Ollie Woodson has outdone himself! Do yourself a favor and check it out. You and your significant other will have quite a night!”

19. Silent Night (Christmas Card, 1970)

“This will always remind me of my dad, a huge Temptations fan. Around my house growing up and well into my adult Yeats, it wasn’t Christmas until my dad put this song on as sung by The Temptations. Its very sentimental, it’s smooth, it’s a timeless classic. When you’re putting up the tree, cooking sweet potato pies or enjoying family..,.it’s not Christmas until The Temptations are on singing this”

18. This is My Promise (Phoenix Rising, 1998)

“This Is such a fantastic song by The Temptations. The entire CD is the best of the best. It’s not often that I enjoy every song on a CD, but this one is an exception. Each & every song is a JAM. Every song. Definitely a keep sake that’s a must to add to any collection. “

17. Lady Soul (To Be Continued…, 1986)

“This is so hidden from all their other classics it’s not funny, I wish this song was well known to many and any who listen to The Temptations. I have been looking for this song or album for the longest time. The one with my lady soul on it. I really do want it is a beautiful song.”

See more: The Temptations Albums Ranked

16. Beauty is Only Skin Deep (Greatest Hits, 1966)

“An unusual writing combination for this Temptations single, comprising Norman Whitfield, before he hooked up with Barrett Strong and Eddie Holland separated from brother Brian and Lamont Dozier. The song sounds more Holland than Whitfield, with its poppy melody and familiar H-D-H percussive instrumentation ending up sounding almost Smokey-ish right down to the use of the title metaphor throughout. Not their most vital 45 but a pleasant stop-gap between the traditional Robinson-ish pop-soul of the mid-60’s and Whitfield-led heavier balladry and then psychedelic soul of the later 60’s.”

15. Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today) (Greatest Hits II, 1970)

“This song is an excellent synopsis of the social climate when it was released and somewhat to this day. This song is an accurate synopsis of what is happening in the world today. It is timeless”

14. Get Ready (Gettin’ Ready, 1966)

“Honestly very surprised to not see this in the top 5 or 6. Like most of their work, this makes you want to just get into it, plus it’s much more famous than the rest of the songs around this 7-15 level.”

13. Treat Her Like a Lady (Truly for You, 1984)

“I’m old school, grew up with the original Temps. This song, gets me rocking with my cane! I enjoy this song and would like to use it as my ringtone.”

12. (I Know) I’m Losing You (The Temptations with a Lot o’ Soul, 1967)

“Soulful, powerful, hip, and cool=best song and not for the wannabees and light-hearted masses. I think this was the best of this ten whether it be David Ruffin or Dennis Edwards!”

11. I Want a Love I Can See (Meet the Temptations, 1964)

“I had missed hearing this song back in the day!….I rarely miss any Motown Song…However, this tune by Paul Williams slipped through the cracks on me!…..Paul Williams singing lead on Temptation is rare….I believe he only sang lead about 5 different times….including the classic hit….”Don’t Look Back”~……This is a nice song!….Check it out!!!”

10. You’re My Everything (The Temptations with a Lot o’ Soul, 1967)

“The power, enunciation, and emotion is incredible. Also the weaving in and out of Eddie and David’s voices takes me to infinite and beyond! Oops, did I get too excited? Sorry, I love this song!”

9. I Wish It Would Rain (The Temptations Wish It Would Rain, 1968)

“After the piano intro, the wonderful raspy tenor of David Ruffin is mostly accompanied by only Funk Brothers James Jamerson on electric bass and Jack Ashford on tambourine, with harmony vocal insertions by the other Temps and the part of a brief string. The spare arrangement, invented by producer Norman Whitfield, fits in perfectly with the naked despair of the lyrics, written by Roger Penzabene who actually committed suicide one week after the record came out. I probably prefer this one to all the other great Temptations singles of the 1960s.”

8. Cloud Nine (Cloud Nine, 1969)

“Norman Whitfield at his best. I like how the 5 members share the lead (Whitfield’s idea) and Dennis Edwards’ emotional delivery. A different side for the Temptations; the 1970s were something else!”

7. The Way You Do the Things You Do ( Meet the Temptations & The Temptations Sing Smokey , 1964)

“The Temptations first big hit was this brighter than sunshine Smokey tune where he exemplifies yet again (as he would continue to do throughout the 60’s) his unique genius for converting traditional lyrical cliches into pure gold. Robert Rogers provides a great clanging guitar accompaniment but all the soul comes from the group’s winning vocal arrangement with Eddie Kendrick’s lovely falsetto sitting on top.”

See more: Rick James Albums Ranked

6. Since I Lost My Baby (The Temptin’ Temptations, 1965)

“Another distinctive Smokey Robinson co-write, containing as usual his sophisticatedly clever word-play contrasting a series of cheering events inability to raise the singer’s jilted spirits, set to a typically warming tune. I especially like Melvin Franklin’s bass-vocal interjections amongst another strong group vocal performance.”

5. I Can’t Get Next to You (Puzzle People, 1969)

“So, I have a guilty pleasure that I have to admit to, and that’s that I really enjoy the movie Elizabethtown. This song, one I haven’t heard outside of its context in that film until now, plays during a pivotal scene when a terrible Orlando Bloom attempts suicide in a comically gratuitous way. Used as a cellphone ringtone, Orlando’s cell keeps ringing with the “I! can turn the grey sky blueeee-ah!” refrain over and over, halting his suicide’s progress. And it’s funny! Ha ha, suicide! How hilarious!”

4. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) (Sky’s the Limit, 1971)

“The way Eddie sings this is extremely wonderful, The notes he hits are incredible and the emotion behind it makes a timeless classic. This song was produced before I was born and it like the temptations will stand the test of time.”

3. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg (Gettin’ Ready, 1966)

“The arrangement and the vocals. Seems ludicrously simple, something that could be said of any song, but in this case it’s even more true than usual. On the page Ain’t Too Proud to Beg is a strong track but not necessarily a great one, or even a standout given the volume of quality product rolling out of the pop assembly-line that was Motown Records in its prime. In fact, the Motown braintrust twice passed on the tune before the maniacally driven composer/producer Norman Whitfield finally struck true with the now-famous third recording. As virtually everyone who has ever reviewed this single likes to point out, you know it’s gonna be a great one within the first fifteen seconds.”

2. Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (All Directions, 1972)

“Papa Was a Rolling Stone, was the first song of it’s kind. It was called ‘Psychedelic soul’ and it was dark and lingering. The Temptations had never done anything like it before and a lot of rock band loved it. Rolling Stone actually performed it during there 1974 tour but it didn’t have the same magic. This song, by far, was their greatest song.”

1. My Girl (The Temptations Sing Smokey, 1965)

“Smokey wrote it so it’s already great. But the Temptations and the Funk Brothers musicians make it the legend it is. David Ruffin was Marvin Gaye-like in his lead about true love and his allegiance and the rest of the Temps owes to their faith in Smokey’s proven track record that any song, even a sweet love song, could be a Wondrous joyful creation. This song sweeps you up in its wake and you start to wonder yourself whether or not your love could be as strong and true”