December 2 – Motown Single Tempted The Masses

One of Motown’s best records ever hit #1 in the U.S. this day in 1972: “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” by the Temptations. The song was the fourth, and final, chart-topper for Detroit’s Temptations and was notable for taking their upbeat, pop harmonic sounds into darker territories and more socially-conscious lyrics (the label liked the term “psychedelic soul” with comparisons to Sly and the Family Stone and even Jimi Hendrix being made) , for being the last hit for Motown recorded in Detroit, and for its length.

In the full, album version, it is almost 4 minutes in before the vocals start and runs 11:50; the “shortened” single is still 6:58 long, the third-lengthiest Billboard #1 ever (curiously, the longest #1 single ever was also that year- “American Pie”).Although David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks are usually thought of when one thinks of the band, neither were in on this record which was sung by Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris and Mel Franklin in various places. That was the choice of producer Norman Whitfield, who also co-wrote it. Berry Gordy later said of that, “he’d utilize all five of those leads (from the Temptations). Just incredible! this guy was probably the most under-rated producer we had.” If you’re a musician, you best know B-flat minor if you want to play it…the whole song is in that ! David Hutcheon of London’s The Times describes its musical appeal thusly: “the song comes at you in layers. Bass and high hat, then strings and a guitar, with a trumpet soloing. Then they disappear and and electric piano fills the space for a bit, creating a foggy, trancelike mood. You would relax if it weren’t for that minatory bass, as ominous as a shark’s fin.”

Which fit the story itself. It wasn’t as joyful as “My Girl”, but somehow an even more compelling aural picture to take in. Fitting for such an epic song, “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” took home two Grammys for best R&B performance by a group or duo. The single’s A-side won the regular award, while the non-vocal B-side took the trophy for best R&B instrumental.