THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

569-The Temptations-Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.

1972-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 3.53. The legend is that the songs lead singer Dennis Edwards thought that the songs co-writer Norman Whitfield was trying to aggravate him with the songs opening line,’It was the 3rd of September, that day I’ll always remember, yes I will,’cause that was the day my daddy died.’ Edwards father was said to have died on that date, but he actually found out later it had been October 3rd. Whitfield said that he chose the date because it fit in well with the song, he said he had no idea when Edwards’ father had died.

The Temptations (see also best songs 1031 and 777) were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States in 1960, they remain active, with the bands one constant being Otis Williams, who was born October 30th, 1941, in Texarkana, Texas, United States, he currently owns the rights to the bands name ‘The Temptations.’ Over the 60 plus years there have been 25 different band members, but the five who performed on this song were Dennis Edwards (1943-2018,) Damon Harris (1950-2013,) Richard Street (1942-2013,) Melvin Franklin (1942-1995,) and Otis Williams.

‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was taken from The Temptations 15th studio Album ‘All Directions’ from 1972. The song was co-written by Norman Whitfield (1940-2008,) (see also best songs 911-777-533-480-346 and 233) and Barrett Strong who had recorded Tamla Motown’s first million selling single ‘Money (That’s What I Want’) in 1959. ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ was originally written in 1971, and first recorded by fellow Motown group ‘The Undisputed Truth,’ but when released as a single got no higher than Number 63 on Billboard in 1972. Whitfield who was always trying to push the barriers, reworked the song in to a near 12 minute epic, filling the song with long instrumental parts. This didn’t please everyone, with some saying that The Temptations were only playing a bit part, while Whitfield put the music first.

Lead vocals on the track were performed by Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, and Richard Street, who sang a verse each, taking on the roles of siblings questioning their mother about their now dead father.This was the last classic Motown song to be recorded at the original famous ‘Studio A’ in Detroit, as most of Motown’s studio work had moved to Los Angeles by then, but The Temptations chose to record this in Detroit.

‘Hey Momma, is it true what they say, that Papa never worked a day in his life, and Momma, some bad talk goin’ ’round town sayin’ that Papa had three outside children.’