My Girl ( the Temptations song ) - wikipedia My Girl ( the Temptations song ) This article is about the Temptations song. For the Chilliwack song, see My Girl ( Gone, Gone, Gone ). `` My Girl '' Single by the Temptations from the album The Temptations Sing Smokey B - side `` ( Talking ' Bout ) Nobody But My Baby '' Released December 21, 1964 ( 1964 - 12 - 21 ) Format 7 - inch single Recorded September 25, November 10 and November 17, 1964 Studio Hitsville USA ( Studio A ), Detroit, Michigan Genre Soul R&B Length 2 : 59 Label Gordy ( G 7038 ) Songwriter ( s ) Smokey Robinson Ronald White Producer ( s ) Smokey Robinson Ronald White ( uncredited ) the Temptations singles chronology `` Girl ( Why You Wanna Make Me Blue ) '' ( 1964 ) `` My Girl '' ( 1964 ) `` It 's Growing '' ( 1965 ) `` Girl ( Why You Wanna Make Me Blue ) '' ( 1964 ) `` My Girl '' ( 1964 ) `` It 's Growing '' ( 1965 ) `` My Girl '' is a 1964 standard recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown ) label which became a number one hit in 1965. Written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, the song became the Temptations ' first U.S. number - one single, and is today their signature song. Robinson 's inspiration for writing this song was his wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson. The song was featured on the Temptations album The Temptations Sing Smokey. Musically, the song is notable because the six ascending guitar notes in the opening riff over the C chord are a perfect example of a C major pentatonic scale, played exactly from octave to octave. Similarly, the analogous riff in the song that is played over the F chord is a perfect example of an F major pentatonic scale, also with notes ascending from octave to octave. Contents 1 Recording and release 2 Reception 3 Personnel 4 Chart history 5 Other renditions 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Recording and release The recorded version of `` My Girl '' was the first Temptations single to feature David Ruffin on lead vocals. Previously, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams had performed most of the group 's lead vocals, and Ruffin had joined the group as a replacement for former Temptation Elbridge Bryant. While on tour as part of the Motortown Revue, a collective tour for most of the Motown roster, Smokey Robinson caught the Temptations ' part of the show. The group had included a medley of soul standards in the show, one of which, the Drifters ' `` Under the Boardwalk '', was a solo spot for Ruffin. Impressed, Robinson decided to produce a single with Ruffin singing lead. Robinson saw Ruffin as a `` sleeping giant '' in the group with a unique voice that was `` mellow '' yet `` gruff ''. Robinson thought that if he could write just the perfect song for Ruffin 's voice, then he could have a smash hit. The song was to be something that Ruffin could `` belt out '' yet something that was also `` melodic and sweet ''. After some persuasion from Ruffin 's bandmates, Robinson had the Temptations record `` My Girl '' instead of the Miracles, who were originally to record the song, and recruited Ruffin to sing the lead vocals. According to Robinson, he allowed the group to create their own background vocals `` because they were so great at background vocals ''. The signature guitar riff heard during the introduction and under the verses was played by Robert White of the Funk Brothers. This part can be heard without vocals on the 2004 deluxe edition of the soundtrack from the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown. `` My Girl '' was later sampled for `` Stay '', a single from the Temptations ' 1998 album Phoenix Rising. The single was re-released in 1992. It did not reach the Billboard charts, but did reach number two in the UK Singles Chart. Reception `` My Girl '' climbed to the top of the U.S. pop charts after its Christmas time 1964 release, making it the Temptations ' first number - one hit. The single was also the first number - one hit on the reinstated Billboard R&B Singles chart, which had gone on a fifteen - month hiatus from 1963 to 1965. The single also gave the Gordy label its first number one on the Hot 100. The Temptations were the first Motown act to earn a Grammy. The success of `` My Girl '' launched a series of Ruffin - led hits, including `` It 's Growing '' ( 1965 ), `` Since I Lost My Baby '' ( 1965 ), `` My Baby '' ( 1965 ), `` 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 ), `` ( Loneliness Made Me Realize ) It 's You That I Need '' ( 1967 ), `` I Wish It Would Rain '' ( 1967 ), and `` I Could Never Love Another ( After Loving You ) '' ( 1968 ). In 2004, `` My Girl '' was ranked number 88 on Rolling Stone 's list of `` The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ''. Personnel David Ruffin -- lead vocals Eddie Kendricks -- backing vocals Melvin Franklin -- backing vocals Paul Williams -- backing vocals Otis Williams -- backing vocals William `` Smokey '' Robinson -- writer, producer Ronald White -- writer, producer Paul Riser -- arrangement The Funk Brothers -- instrumentation Robert White -- guitar James Jamerson -- bass Benny Benjamin -- drums Detroit Symphony Orchestra -- strings Chart history Chart ( 1965 -- 66 ) Peak position U.S. Billboard Hot 100 U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles Other renditions `` My Girl '' Song by Otis Redding from the album Otis Blue Released 1965 ( 1965 ) Format 7 - inch single Recorded 1965 Studio Stax, Memphis, Tennessee Genre Soul Length 2 : 52 Label Volt Atco Songwriter ( s ) Smokey Robinson Ronald White Producer ( s ) Steve Cropper In 1965, Otis Redding brought a traditional blues flavor to the song in his cover. This version, produced by Steve Cropper, was featured on Redding 's critically acclaimed album Otis Blue : Otis Redding Sings Soul. Redding 's version was not released as a single in the United States, but Atlantic UK released it in the UK to capitalize on the relative lack of success by the Temptations ' original version, and Redding 's cover eventually peaked at No. 11. In 1988, Suave had a Top 40 Pop hit & Top 10 R&B hit with the song. R&B / soul group the Whispers covered the song in a disco style for their eponymous 1979 album. It was subsequently released as a single, and ( despite missing the US Charts completely ) was a Top 30 hit in the UK, reaching # 26. See also List of Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles of 1965 List of number - one R&B singles of 1965 ( U.S. ) References ^ Jump up to : Blair, Elizabeth. `` My Girl ''. NPR. Retrieved 2009 - 06 - 24. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 2004 ). Top R&B / Hip - Hop Singles : 1942 -- 2004. Record Research. p. 803. Jump up ^ Bronson, Fred ( Nov 7, 1998 ). `` The Temptations ''. Billboard -- the International Newsweekly of Music, Video and Home Entertainment. 110 ( 45 ) : 26. Jump up ^ Zimmerman, Lee ( Mar 2015 ). `` THE DARK SIDE OF MOTOWN ''. Goldmine. 41 ( 3 ) : 42 -- 44, 46. Jump up ^ `` The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ''. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007 - 03 - 07. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Preceded by `` This Diamond Ring '' by Gary Lewis & the Playboys Billboard Hot 100 number - one single March 6, 1965 ( one week ) Succeeded by `` Eight Days a Week '' by the Beatles Preceded by Chart not published from November 30, 1963 through January 23, 1965 Billboard Hot R&B Singles number - one single January 30, 1965 ( six weeks ) Succeeded by Shotgun by Junior Walker & the All - Stars 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 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_Girl_(The_Temptations_song)&oldid=800676093 '' Categories : 1964 singles 1965 singles 1992 singles The Temptations songs Motown singles Otis Redding songs Glen Campbell songs Atco Records singles Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs number - one singles Songs written by Smokey Robinson Songs written by Ronald White Song recordings produced by Smokey Robinson Gordy Records singles 1964 songs The Rolling Stones songs Hidden categories : Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2016 Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014 Articles with unsourced statements from August 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Español Français Italiano Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk nynorsk Português Русский Tiếng Việt Edit links This page was last edited on 15 September 2017, at 00 : 39. 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Question: who wrote the song my girl by the temptations
Answer: Smokey Robinson and Ronald White