THE TEMPTATIONS
The Way They Do The Things They Do
The Temptations is an American vocal group that has wowed audiences since the 1960s. You do not have to be a music aficionado to know who this amazing group is. Mention the name Temptations to any layman, music neophyte, or unseasoned bystander, and the chances are it's still likely they've heard of this Supergroup (yes, the Temptations are considered a Mowtown Supergroup and one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1960s and 1970s).
While it is unlikely that you've never heard of the Temptations, the chances that you have not heard one or more of their songs are inconceivable. The Temptations have landed on the Billboard Hot 100 4 times with #1 Hits. They've also graced Billboard with 15 Top 10 Hits and altogether have an astounding 53 songs to rank in the Top 100! Overall, the Temptations have had 37 singles hit the Billboard Top 40 in the US. Four of those reached #1. On the R&B singles chart, the Temptations scored an impressive 71 Top 40 singles, with 15 reaching #1.
Yes. Supergroup!
The Temptations have landed
4 #1 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
They've also graced the music-ranking giant
with 15 Top 10 Hits
and altogether have an astounding
53 songs to rank in the Top 100!
TEMPTATIONS HITS
#1 BILLBOARD HOT 100
My Girl #1 - Jan 1965 - 1 wk as #1 (13 wks on chart)
I Can't Get Next To You #1 - August 1969 - 2 wks as #1 (17 wks on chart)
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) #1 - Feb 1971 - 2 wks as #1 (15 wks on chart)
Papa Was A Rollin Stone #1 - Oct 1972 - 1 wk as #1 (16 wks on chart)
ALL BILLBOARD HOT 100 HITS
1960
Barbara #29 - Apr 1960 (10 wks on chart)
1964
The Way You Do The Things You Do #11 - Feb 1964 (11 wks on chart)
I'll Be In Trouble #33 - May 1964 (9 wks on chart)
Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) #26 - Sept 1964 (8 wks on chart)
1965
My Girl #1 - Jan 1965 1 wk as #1 (13 wks on chart)
It's Growing #18 - Apr 1965 (9 wks on chart)
Since I Lost My Baby #17 - July 1965 (10 wks on chart)
My Baby #13 - Oct 1965 (8 wks on chart)
Don't Look Back #83 - Dec 1965 (5 wks on chart)
1966
Get Ready #29 - Feb 1966 (7 wks on chart)
Ain't Too Proud To Beg #13 - May 1966 (13 wks on chart)
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep #3 - Aug 1966 (12 wks on chart)
(I Know) I'm Losing You #8 - Nov 1966 (10 wks on chart)
1967
All I Need #8 - Apr 1967 (10 wks on chart)
You're My Everything #6 - July 1967 (12 wks on chart)
(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need #14 - Oct 1967 (9 wks on chart)
1968
I Wish It Would Rain #4 - Jan 1968 (14 wks on chart)
I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) #13 - May 1968 (10 wks on chart)
Please Return Your Love To Me #26 - Aug 1968 (7 wks on chart)
Cloud Nine #6 - Nov 1968 (12 wks on chart)
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me #2 - Dec 1968 (13 wks on chart)
1969
Run Away Child Running Wild #6 - Feb 1969 (12 wks on chart)
I'll Try Something New #25 - Mar 1969 (7 wks on chart)
with the Supremes
Don't Let The Joneses #20 - May 1969 (8 wks on chart)
I Can't Get Next To You #1 - Aug 1969 2 wks as #1 (17 wks on chart)
The Weight #46 - Sept 1969 (5 wks on chart)
with the Supremes
1970
Psychedelic Shack #7 - Jan 1970 (11 wks on chart)
Ball Of Confusion (That's What the World is Today) #3 - May 1970 (15 wks on chart)
Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World) #33 - Oct 1970 (7 wks on chart)
1971
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) #1 - Feb 1971 2 wks as #1 (15 wks on chart)
It's Summer #51 - July 1971 (6 wks on chart)
Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) #18 - Nov 1971 (10 wks on chart)
1972
Take A Look Around #30 - Mar 1972 (8 wks on chart)
Mother Nature #92 - July 1972 (4 wks on chart)
Papa Was A Rollin Stone #1 - Oct 1972 1 wk as #1 (16 wks on chart)
1973
Masterpiece #7 - Feb 1973 (14 wks on chart)
The Plastic Man #40 - June 1973 (8 wks on chart)
Hey Girl ( I Like Your Style) #35 - Aug 1973 (11 wks on chart)
Let Your Hair Down #27 - Dec 1973 (9 wks on chart)
1974
Heavenly #43 - Mar 1974 (9 wks on chart)
You've Got My Soul On Fire #74 - Jun 1974 (6 wks on chart)
Happy People #40 - Dec 1974 (10 wks on chart)
1975
Shakey Ground #26 - Mar 1975 (14 wks on chart)
Glasshouse #37 - July 1973 (10 wks on chart)
1976
Keep Holding On #54 - Feb 1976 (6 wks on chart)
Up The Creek (Without A Paddle) #94 - July 1976 (3 wks on chart)
1980
Power #43 - May 1984 (9 wks on chart)
1981
Aiming At Your Heart #67 - Sept 1981 (5 wks on chart)
1982
Standing On Top - Part 1 #66 - May 1982 (8 wks on chart)
featuring Rick James
1983
Love On My Mind Tonight #88 - Apr 1982 (3 wks on chart)
1984
Sail Away #5 - Apr 1984 (8 wks on chart)
Treat Her Like A Lady #48 - Dec 1984 (14 wks on chart)
1986
Lady Soul #47 - Oct 1986 (11 wks on chart)
See more on Tthe Temptations Billboard Hot 100 here
THE TEMPTATION'S AWARDS & RECOGNITION
The Temptations have earned five Grammy Awards, including the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. The Temptations have also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. Other awards and honors Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Apollo Theater's Walk of Fame Ranked #68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2010 Ranked #1 by Billboard magazine on its list of the "100 Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists Of All Time" in 2023 With all of the awards, recognition, kudos, and experiences, the fact remains that the real story is being a spectator in a seat at any club, auditorium, or arena that they grace.
Grammy Awards
1969: "Cloud Nine" won Best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group, Vocal or Instrumental 1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" won Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus
2000: Ear-Resistible won Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
2013: Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award
Earned over 50 Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum awards combined
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame
Ranked #1 in Billboard Magazine’s list of the “Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of All Time,
The Temptations also appear in the magazine’s 125th Anniversary list of the “125 Greatest of All Time Artists.” In addition, Rolling Stone magazine named the group among the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”
The electrifying Broadway musical "Life and Times of The Temptations", received 12 Tony nominations and won the Tony Award for Best Choreography at the 73rd Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall
And these achievements are just the tip of the iceberg when you look at the life and times of this amazing group.
Dr. Otis Williams, the Temptations founding member stated,
"Looking back, I never could have imagined where my life has taken me.
I'm proud of what the Temptations have achieved and I'm grateful for every opportunity we've been so fortunate to receive.
The Music carries me.
Together, we lift our voices with love and wonder..."
With all of the awards, recognition, kudos, and experiences, the real story is being a spectator in a seat at any club, auditorium, or arena that the Temptations grace.
I've witnessed the magic of the Temptations in concert on multiple occasions. There is truly something enchanting about these guys. Maybe it's the fanfare, maybe the nostalgia associated with them, maybe the charisma they have on stage.. or maybe it's just the extraordinary music. When truth be told, it's most likely the culmination of all of those things. Besides the magnificent music and the limitless energy that these magical entertainers still bring to the stage, there is yet another factor that makes you want to return for more. It's the charisma that they generate. You get the feeling that they're really nice guys. And the longer they are on stage the more that feeling grows.
There are thousands of entertainers on the planet. A majority of them know how to play the audience. However, few of them have that special sincerity that makes you feel like they actually like you. They make you feel like you could become a friend of theirs. That special connection is one more thing that the Temptations bring to the stage (and into our lives). Combine that with the aforementioned characteristics, and you can understand why they still draw large crowds who swoon, tap, dance, jive, and sing along to each and every song they perform.
It is no wonder how the Temptations became one of the most successful R&B groups of all time. It is also no surprise that people like us will continue to gravitate to their performance as we become excited spectators in their ever-growing legacy.
Visit the Temptations here Temptations.com
