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( December 2009 ) `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' Single by The Undisputed Truth Released Early 1972 Recorded 1971 `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' Single by The Temptations from the album All Directions Released September 28, 1972 Format 7 '' single Recorded Detroit, Michigan Hitsville USA ( Studio A ) ; May 15, June 14, June 22 and June 28, 1972 Genre Psychedelic soul Length 6 : 54 ( Single edit ) 12 : 02 ( Album mix ) Label Gordy G 7121 Songwriter ( s ) Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong Producer ( s ) Norman Whitfield The Temptations singles chronology `` Mother Nature '' ( 1972 ) `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' ( 1972 ) `` Masterpiece '' ( 1973 ) `` Mother Nature '' ( 1972 ) `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' ( 1972 ) `` Masterpiece '' ( 1973 ) `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone ' 87 '' Single by The Temptations A-side `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone ' 87 '' Released Format 7 '' single 12 '' single CD Genre Soul Label Motown Songwriter ( s ) Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' is a psychedelic soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971. This version of `` Papa '' was released as a single in early 1972 and peaked at # 63 on the Pop Charts and # 24 on the R&B Charts, and was included on The Undisputed Truth 's 1973 album Law of the Land. Later that year, Whitfield, who also produced the song, took `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' and remade it as a 12 - minute record for The Temptations, which was a number - one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards in 1973. While the original Undisputed Truth version of the song has been largely forgotten, The Temptations ' version of the song has been an enduring and influential soul classic. It was ranked number 168 on Rolling Stone 's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, one of the group 's three songs on the list. In retrospect, The Temptations ' Otis Williams considers `` Papa '' to be the last real classic the group recorded ( it would be the Temptations ' last number one hit and would win them their second and final Grammy Award in a competitive category ). Contents 1 Overview 2 Release and awards 3 Notable covers and remixes 4 Chart performance 4.1 The Temptations version 4.2 Remix version 4.3 Was ( Not Was ) version 5 Personnel 5.1 Undisputed Truth version 5.2 Temptations version 6 Sample 7 References 8 External links Overview Beginning with an extended instrumental introduction ( 3 : 53 in length ), each of the song 's three verses is separated by extended musical passages, in which Whitfield brings various instrumental textures in and out of the mix. A solo plucked bass guitar part, backed by hi - hat cymbals drumming, establishes the musical theme, a simple three - note figure ; the bass is gradually joined by other instruments, including a blues guitar, wah - wah guitar, Wurlitzer Electric Piano notes, handclaps, horns, and strings ; all are tied together by the ever - present bass guitar line and repeating hi - hat rhythm. A very unusual thing about this song is that it uses only one chord throughout -- B - flat minor. Vocal jobs are performed in a true ensemble style : Temptations singers Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street ( who was a frequent fill - in for Paul Williams and his eventual replacement ) and Damon Harris ( who had replaced Eddie Kendricks as the group 's falsetto singer the previous year ) alternate vocal lines, taking the role of siblings questioning their mother about their now - deceased father ; their increasingly pointed questions, and the mother 's repeated response ( `` Papa was a rollin ' stone / wherever he laid his hat was his home / and when he died, all he left us was alone '' ) paint a somber picture for the children who have never seen their father and have `` never heard nothing but bad things about him. '' Friction arose during the recording of `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' for a number of reasons. The Temptations did not like the fact that Whitfield 's instrumentation had been getting more emphasis than their vocals on their songs at the time, and that they had to press Whitfield to get him to produce ballads for the group. Norman Whitfield forced Dennis Edwards to re-record his parts dozens of times until he finally got the angered, bitter grumble he desired out of the usually fiery - toned Edwards. Whitfield 's treatment of the group eventually led to his dismissal as their producer. Although legend was that Edwards was angered by the song 's first verse : `` It was the third of September / That day I 'll always remember / ' cause that was the day / that my daddy died '', as his father was said to have died on that date. It actually was on the third of October, however. The guitar parts were played by a young Paul Warren and Melvin `` Wah - Wah Watson '' Ragin The Temptations ' version of `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' followed in the extended - length `` cinematic soul '' tradition of the work of Isaac Hayes and others, and future songs like Donna Summer 's fourteen - minute `` Love to Love You Baby '' and the instrumentals of MFSB expanded upon the concept in the mid-1970s. Release and awards A seven - minute edited version of `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' was released as a single in September 1972. For this mix, congas were added to bolster the song 's sparse percussion ; this version appeared on the 1973 Anthology triple LP. The Temptations ' box set Emperors of Soul has the edited version in stereo, but without the congas. The B - side was the instrumental backing by The Funk Brothers without the Temptations ' vocals ( except for a single `` Unngh ! '' at the end of the second verse ). `` Papa '' rose to number one on the U.S. pop charts and number five on the U.S. R&B charts, becoming the Temptations ' final pop number - one hit. The song, the anchor of the 1972 Temptations album All Directions, won three 1973 Grammys : its a-side won for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group ; its B - side won for Best R&B Instrumental ( awarded to Whitfield and arranger / conductor Paul Riser ) ; and Whitfield and Barrett Strong won for Best R&B Song as the song 's composers. Notable covers and remixes A number of notable covers of `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' have been recorded : The Pioneers made a rocksteady cover of this song on a 1973 single produced by Joe Gibbs. Issac Hayes and Charlotte Kelly ( of Soul II Soul ) recorded a version of this song. In January 1995, they also performed the song live on Taratata. The record producer and remixer Dr. Heinz Funkenpumpe released a remix of The Pioneers version in 2009. Bill `` Wolf '' Wolfer created an electronic cover of the number for his 1982 debut album, Wolf. The single peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1983. Michael Jackson provided backing vocals. Luis Miguel recorded a Spanish - language version during the recording sessions of Soy como quiero ser in 1987. It remains unreleased. The group Was ( Not Was ) covered the song on their 1990 album Are You Okay ?, and their version reached number 12 in the UK. George Michael performed the song during the Cover to Cover tour in 1991, where it was blended with the Adamski hit `` Killer ''. It was released on the EP Five Live. This arrangement was also performed by Seal. In the `` Battle of the Groups '' segment of the TV special Motown Returns to the Apollo in 1985 the Four Tops sang the coda, much to the ( feigned ) outrage of the Temptations. Levi Stubbs, leader of the Tops, responded, `` I know this is your song, Temps, but get on out the way because we 're going to sing it. So get on out the way ''. As soon as they finished, the Temptations responded by singing the Tops ' hit, `` Baby I Need Your Loving ''. The rap group Run - D.M.C. re-worked and sampled `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' for their song `` Papa Crazy '', off their 1988 album Tougher Than Leather. David Lindley and his band El Rayo - X covered the song on their 1988 album Very Greasy. The song was parodied by comedian Bob Rivers in 1994 on Twisted Tunes : 1994 The Year in Review as `` Grandpa Loved the Rolling Stones ''. The song was covered by Los Lobos in 1999 on DET Live ! Vol. 1 Exclusive Live Performances from the Studios of WDET - FM. Lisa Fischer recorded the song and the version was featured on A Twist of Motown in 2003. Rockapella performed the song on their concert album Live in Japan ( 2004 ) ; it is a staple at their live shows. George Baldi III, the current bass for Rockapella, sings lead. Lee Ritenour, Chris Botti, Kenya Hathaway, Grady Harrell, Taylor Dayne, and Nathan East recorded the song and the version on the album Overtime in 2005. This song was covered in the episode 33 of Live from Daryl 's House, featuring Daryl Hall and the group Train, on August 15, 2010. Phil Collins ' 2010 Motown - covers album Going Back includes a cover of the song. Craig David recorded a version on his 2010 cover album Signed Sealed Delivered. The song was covered by David Hernandez on American Idol ( 2008 ) during the top 10 males week and by Allison Iraheta in 2009 during Motown week. Sublime 's song `` Same in the End '' references the song : `` Daddy was a rolling rolling stone, he rolled away one day and he never came home ''. Ugly Kid Joe covered the song for their 2015 release Uglier Than They Used ta Be with Dallas Frasca on guest vocals. Marcus Miller included his version of the song on his 2015 album Afrodeezia. Rare Earth also covered `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '', one of the very few all white bands signed by Motown, but the only one with major success, and number one hits. In 1997, the instrumental part of this song was sampled in the song of Montenegrin singer Knez with lyrics `` Automatic ''. Chart performance The Temptations version Chart ( 1972 -- 73 ) Peak position Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 16 Canadian RPM Top Singles 12 France ( SNEP ) 42 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 11 Italy ( FIMI ) 12 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 5 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Listener ) 6 South African Chart 6 UK ( Official Charts Company ) 14 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Hot R&B Singles 5 Remix version Charts ( 1987 ) Peak position UK ( Official Charts Company ) 31 Chart ( 2010 ) Peak position Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Back Catalogue Singles Wallonia ) 19 Was ( Not Was ) version Chart ( 1990 ) Peak position Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 15 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 40 Canadian RPM Top Singles 57 Irish Singles Chart 11 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 13 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 14 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 22 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 6 UK ( Official Charts Company ) 12 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 10 US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi - Singles Sales 43 US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Singles 60 Personnel Undisputed Truth version Lead and background vocals by Joe Harris, Billie Rae Calvin, and Brenda Joyce Temptations version Lead vocals by Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street, and Damon Harris Background vocals by Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street, Damon Harris, and Otis Williams Arranged and conducted by Paul Riser Instrumental by The Funk Brothers and The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Sample `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' -- Undisputed Truth version Released in 1972 as a single from Law of the Land Problems playing this file ? See media help. References Jump up ^ Dimery, Robert ( 2011 ). Hachette UK, ed. 1001 Songs : You Must Hear Before You Die. `` this seven - minute single ( a U.S. No. 1 ) and its near - twelve - minute album version remain the apex of the psychedelic soul era. '' Jump up ^ Clifford, Tyler. `` Local legendary Motown Sound trumpeter Maurice Davis dies at the age of 71 ''. Wxyz.com. The E.W. Scripps Co. Retrieved 16 July 2013. `` Maurice Davis was involved in producer Norman Whitfield 's transition of the Motown Sound into a psychedelic soul label. Whitfield placed much emphasize on instrumentation over vocals, which allowed Davis and the Funk Brothers to shine. The Temptations were a major element in this endeavor, including the production of `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone. '' '' ^ Jump up to : Ribowsky, Mark ( 2010 ). Ai n't Too Proud to Beg : The Troubled Lives and Enduring Soul of the Temptations. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978 - 0 - 470 - 26117 - 0. p. 232 Jump up ^ `` About ''. The Paul Warren Project. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 07. Jump up ^ `` A brief history of Wah Wah Watson ''. Wah Wah Watson Music. Retrieved 17 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` The Pioneers 's Papa Was a Rolling Stone cover of The Temptations 's Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone ''. WhoSampled.com. Retrieved 17 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Music : Top 100 Songs Billboard Hot 100 Chart ''. Billboard.com. 1983 - 01 - 15. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 07. Jump up ^ Halstead, Craig ; Chris Cadman ( 2003 ). Michael Jackson : The Solo Years. Authors OnLine. ISBN 075520091 - 8. ^ Jump up to : `` 1990 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive - 9th June 1990 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Overtime overview ''. Allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 17 July 2013. Jump up ^ Tauss, Lucy ( July -- August 2005 ). `` Overtime Lee Ritenour ''. JazzTimes.com. JazzTimes, Inc. Retrieved 16 July 2013. Jump up ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. `` Going Back review on Allmusic ''. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 17 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Craig David 's Papa Was a Rolling Stone cover of The Temptations 's Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone ''. WhoSampled.com. Retrieved 17 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- The Temptations -- Papa Was A Rollin ' Stone '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Papa was a rollin ' stone in Canadian Top Singles Chart ''. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Papa was a rollin ' stone in French Chart ''. Dominic DURAND / InfoDisc. Retrieved 16 June 2013. You have to use the index at the top of the page and search `` Temptations '' Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- The Temptations -- Papa Was A Rollin ' Stone ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Jump up ^ `` The best - selling singles of 1973 in Italy ''. HitParadeItalia ( it ). Retrieved 5 June 2013. 62. Papa was a rolling stone - The Temptations ( # 12 ) Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- The Temptations search results '' ( in Dutch ) Dutch Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- The Temptations -- Papa Was A Rollin ' Stone '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ Flavour of New Zealand, 12 February 1973 Jump up ^ Samson, John. `` Papa was a rollin ' stone in South African Chart ''. Retrieved 6 June 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Temptations ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 June 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` All Directions awards on Allmusic ''. Allmusic. Retrieved 5 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` 50 Back Catalogue Singles -- 7 February 2009 ''. Ultratop 50. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Was ( Not Was ) -- Papa Was A Rolling Stone '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Was ( Not Was ) -- Papa Was A Rolling Stone '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Papa was a rolling stone in Canadian Top Singles Chart ''. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Papa was a rolling stone in Irish Chart ''. IRMA. Retrieved 16 June 2013. Only one result when searching `` Papa was a rolling stone '' Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Was Not Was search results '' ( in Dutch ) Dutch Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Was ( Not Was ) -- Papa Was A Rolling Stone '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Was ( Not Was ) -- Papa Was A Rolling Stone ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Was ( Not Was ) -- Papa Was A Rolling Stone ''. Swiss Singles Chart. ^ Jump up to : `` Are You Okay ? awards on Allmusic ''. Allmusic. Retrieved 16 June 2013. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Preceded by `` I Can See Clearly Now '' by Johnny Nash Billboard Hot 100 number one single ( The Temptations version ) December 2, 1972 ( one week ) Succeeded by `` I Am Woman '' by Helen Reddy The Temptations Otis Williams Ron Tyson Terry Weeks Larry Braggs Willie Green Melvin Franklin Eddie Kendricks Paul Williams Elbridge Bryant David Ruffin Dennis Edwards Ricky Owens Richard Street Damon Harris Glenn Leonard Louis Price Ali - Ollie Woodson Theo Peoples Harry McGilberry Barrington `` Bo '' Henderson Ray Davis G.C. Cameron Joe Herndon Bruce Williamson Studio albums Meet the Temptations The Temptations Sing Smokey The Temptin ' Temptations Gettin ' Ready The Temptations with a Lot o ' Soul The Temptations Wish It Would Rain Cloud Nine Puzzle People Psychedelic Shack Sky 's the Limit Solid Rock All Directions Masterpiece A Song for You House Party Wings of Love The Temptations Do the Temptations Bare Back Hear to Tempt You Power The Temptations Reunion Surface Thrills Back to Basics Truly for You Touch Me To Be Continued... Together Again Special Milestone Phoenix Rising Ear - Resistible Awesome Legacy Still Here Cover albums The Temptations in a Mellow Mood For Lovers Only Reflections Back to Front Live albums Temptations Live ! Live at the Copa Live at London 's Talk of the Town The Temptations in Japan Other albums Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations TCB The Temptations Show Together On Broadway The Temptations Christmas Card Give Love at Christmas Lost and Found : You 've Got to Earn It ( 1962 -- 1968 ) Compilations Greatest Hits Greatest Hits II Anthology Emperors of Soul The Ultimate Collection My Girl : The Very Best of the Temptations Psychedelic Soul Singles ( US / UK Top 10 ) `` My Girl '' `` Get Ready '' `` Ai n't Too Proud to Beg '' `` Beauty Is Only Skin Deep '' `` ( I Know ) I 'm Losing You '' `` All I Need '' `` You 're My Everything '' `` I Wish It Would Rain '' `` I Could Never Love Another ( After Loving You ) '' `` Cloud Nine '' `` I 'm Gonna Make You Love Me '' `` Run Away Child, Running Wild '' `` I Ca n't Get Next to You '' `` Psychedelic Shack '' `` Ball of Confusion ( That 's What the World Is Today ) '' `` Just My Imagination ( Running Away with Me ) '' `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' `` Masterpiece '' `` Let Your Hair Down '' `` Happy People '' `` Shakey Ground '' `` Treat Her Like a Lady '' `` The Motown Song '' `` My Girl '' ( reissue ) Related The Temptations ( miniseries ) Discography The Supremes The Undisputed Truth Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong Sly Stone George Clinton Book The Temptations singles discography 1960s `` Oh Mother of Mine '' ( 1961 ) `` Check Yourself '' ( 1961 ) `` ( You 're My ) Dream Come True '' ( 1962 ) `` Mind Over Matter ( I 'm Gonna Make You Mine ) '' ( 1962 ) `` Paradise '' ( 1962 ) `` I Want a Love I Can See '' ( 1963 ) `` Farewell My Love '' ( 1963 ) `` The Way You Do the Things You Do '' ( 1964 ) `` I 'll Be in Trouble '' ( 1964 ) / `` The Girl 's Alright with Me '' ( 1964 ) `` Girl ( Why You Wanna Make Me Blue ) '' ( 1964 ) `` My Girl '' ( 1964 ) `` It 's Growing '' ( 1965 ) `` Since I Lost My Baby '' ( 1965 ) / `` You 've Got to Earn It '' ( 1965 ) `` My Baby '' ( 1965 ) / `` Do n't Look Back '' ( 1965 ) `` Get Ready '' ( 1966 ) `` Ai n't Too Proud to Beg '' ( 1966 ) `` Beauty Is Only Skin Deep '' ( 1966 ) `` ( I Know ) I 'm Losing You '' ( 1966 ) `` All I Need '' ( 1967 ) `` You 're My Everything '' ( 1967 ) / `` I 've Been Good To You '' ( 1967 ) `` ( Loneliness Made Me Realize ) It 's You That I Need '' ( 1967 ) `` I Wish It Would Rain '' ( 1968 ) / `` I Truly, Truly Believe '' ( 1968 ) `` I Could Never Love Another ( After Loving You ) '' ( 1968 ) `` Please Return Your Love to Me '' ( 1968 ) `` Cloud Nine '' ( 1968 ) `` Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer '' ( 1968 ) / `` Silent Night '' ( 1968 ) `` I 'm Gonna Make You Love Me '' ( 1969 ) `` Runaway Child, Running Wild '' ( 1969 ) `` I 'll Try Something New '' ( 1969 ) `` Do n't Let the Joneses Get You Down '' ( 1969 ) `` I Second That Emotion '' ( 1969 ) `` I Ca n't Get Next to You '' ( 1969 ) `` The Weight '' ( 1969 ) 1970s `` Psychedelic Shack '' ( 1970 ) `` Why ( Must We Fall in Love ) '' ( 1970 ) `` Ball of Confusion ( That 's What the World Is Today ) '' ( 1970 ) `` Ungena Za Ulimwengu ( Unite the World ) '' ( 1970 ) / `` Hum Along and Dance '' ( 1970 ) `` Just My Imagination ( Running Away with Me ) '' ( 1971 ) `` It 's Summer '' ( 1971 ) `` Superstar ( Remember How You Got Where You Are ) '' ( 1971 ) `` Take a Look Around '' ( 1972 ) `` Mother Nature '' ( 1972 ) / `` Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On '' ( 1972 ) `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' ( 1972 ) `` Masterpiece '' ( 1973 ) `` Plastic Man '' ( 1973 ) `` Hey Girl ( I Like Your Style ) '' ( 1973 ) `` Law of the Land '' ( 1973 ) `` Let Your Hair Down '' ( 1973 ) `` Heavenly '' ( 1974 ) `` You 've Got My Soul on Fire '' ( 1974 ) `` Happy People '' ( 1974 ) `` Shakey Ground '' ( 1975 ) `` Glasshouse '' ( 1975 ) `` Keep Holdin ' On '' ( 1976 ) `` Up the Creek ( Without a Paddle ) '' ( 1976 ) `` Who are You ( and What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life ) '' ( 1976 ) `` In a Lifetime '' ( 1977 ) `` Think for Yourself '' ( 1977 ) `` Bare Back '' ( 1978 ) `` Ever Ready Love '' ( 1978 ) 1980s `` Power '' ( 1980 ) `` Struck By Lightning Twice '' ( 1980 ) `` Aiming At Your Heart '' ( 1981 ) `` Oh What A Night '' ( 1981 ) `` Standing On The Top - Pt. 1 '' ( 1982 ) `` More On The Inside '' ( 1982 ) `` Money 's Hard To Get '' ( 1982 ) `` Love On My Mind Tonight '' ( 1983 ) `` Surface Thrills '' ( 1983 ) `` Miss Busy Body ( Get Your Body Busy ) '' ( 1983 ) `` Sail Away '' ( 1984 ) `` Treat Her Like a Lady '' ( 1984 ) `` My Love Is True ( Truly For You ) '' ( 1985 ) `` How Can You Say That It 's Over '' ( 1985 ) `` Do You Really Love Your Baby '' ( 1985 ) `` Deeper Than Love '' ( 1985 ) `` Touch Me '' ( 1986 ) `` I 'm Fascinated '' ( 1986 ) `` A Fine Mess '' ( 1986 ) `` My Girl '' ( re-issue ) ( 1986 ) `` Lady Soul '' ( 1986 ) `` To Be Continued... '' ( 1986 ) `` Someone '' ( 1987 ) `` I Wonder Who She 's Seeing Now '' ( 1987 ) `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' ( re-issue ) ( 1987 ) `` Look What You Started '' ( 1987 ) `` Do You Wanna Go With Me '' ( 1988 ) `` All I Want From You '' ( 1989 ) `` Special '' ( 1989 ) `` Loveline '' ( 1989 ) 1990s `` Soul to Soul '' ( 1990 ) `` One Step At A Time ( Remix ) '' ( 1990 ) `` The Motown Song '' ( 1991 ) `` The Jones '' ( 1991 ) `` My Girl '' ( re-issue ) ( 1992 ) `` Hoops of Fire '' ( 1992 ) `` Error of Our Ways '' ( 1994 ) `` Silent Night '' ( 1995 ) `` Stay '' ( 1998 ) `` This is My Promise '' ( 1998 ) `` How Could He Hurt You '' ( 1999 ) 2000s `` I 'm Here '' ( 2000 ) The Undisputed Truth Joe Harris Billie Rae Calvin Brenda Joyce Evans Virginia `` V '' McDonald Tyrone `` Big Ty '' Douglas Tyrone `` Lil Ty '' Barkeley Calvin `` Dhaak '' Stephenson Taka Boom Marcy Thomas Melvin Stewart Lloyd Williams Studio albums The Undisputed Truth ( 1971 ) Face to Face With the Truth ( 1972 ) Law of the Land ( 1973 ) Down to Earth ( 1974 ) Cosmic Truth ( 1975 ) Higher Than High ( 1975 ) Method to the Madness ( 1976 ) Smokin ' ( 1979 ) Singles `` Save My Love for a Rainy Day '' ( 1971 ) `` Smiling Faces Sometimes '' ( 1971 ) `` You Make Your Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth '' ( 1971 ) `` What It Is '' ( 1972 ) `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' ( 1972 ) `` Superstar ( Remember How You Got Where You Are ) '' ( 1972 ) `` Girl, You 're Alright '' ( 1972 ) `` Mama, I Got a Brand New Thing ( Do n't Say No ) '' ( 1973 ) `` Law of the Land '' ( 1973 ) `` Help Yourself '' ( 1974 ) `` I 'm a Fool for You '' ( 1974 ) `` Lil ' Red Riding Hood '' ( 1974 ) `` UFOs '' ( 1975 ) `` Higher Than High '' ( 1975 ) `` Boogie Bump Boogie '' ( 1975 ) `` You + Me = Love '' ( 1976 ) `` Let 's Go Down to the Disco '' ( 1976 ) `` Sunshine '' ( 1977 ) `` Show Time '' ( 1979 ) `` I Ca n't Get Enough of Your Love '' ( 1979 ) Related articles Norman Whitfield The Temptations Book : The Undisputed Truth Was ( Not Was ) David Was Don Was `` Sweet Pea '' Atkinson Harry Bowens Studio albums Was ( Not Was ) Born to Laugh at Tornadoes What Up, Dog ? Are You Okay ? Boo ! Singles `` Wheel Me Out '' `` Out Come the Freaks '' `` Where Did Your Heart Go ? '' `` Tell Me That I 'm Dreaming '' `` Smile '' `` Knocked Down, Made Small ( Treated Like a Rubber Ball ) '' `` Return to the Valley of ) Out Come the Freaks '' `` Robot Girl '' `` Spy in the House of Love '' `` Walk the Dinosaur '' `` Out Come the Freaks ( Again ) '' `` Anything Can Happen '' `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' `` How the Heart Behaves '' `` I Feel Better Than James Brown '' `` Listen Like Thieves '' `` Shake Your Head '' `` Somewhere in America ( There 's a Street Named after My Dad ) '' Contributions A Christmas Record That 's The Way I Feel Now : A Tribute to Thelonious Monk Stay Awake : Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&oldid=789702367 '' Categories : 1971 songs 1972 singles 1987 singles Songs written by Barrett Strong Songs written by Norman Whitfield The Temptations songs George Michael songs Was ( Not Was ) songs Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Motown singles Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Psychedelic soul songs Songs about loneliness Song recordings produced by Norman Whitfield Songs about parenthood Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from December 2009 All articles needing additional references Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Swiss Talk Contributions Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Ελληνικά Español Français Italiano Nederlands Русский Svenska Tiếng Việt Edit links This page was last edited on 9 July 2017, at 01 : 13. 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Question: who sang papa was a rolling stone first
Answer: Norman Whitfield