The great Motown songwriter/producer Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) is finally getting inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame this year. He was responsible for all of the musically-complex and socially-conscious Temptations tracks of the late '60s and early '70s, including this one, along with many other heavy hits like "War" for Edwin Starr. A true musical genius and groundbreaker.
Yes, simple, but can be tricky because of the long pauses between beats. Really have to be on beat to hit the note exactly when needed. But definitely a great notable simple bass line.👍👍
A slow burner that was hugely impactful in its time. Great storytelling, fantastic musicianship, very memorable vocals. And that mournful violin outro... unforgettable.
It's one of those songs, each time I hear it, I catch something new. What song don't do today is arrangement, too often it's noise jumbled together. Papa reminds me of my Uncle George.
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song originally performed by Gordy Records recording act the Undisputed Truth in 1972, though it became much better known after a Grammy-award winning cover by the Temptations was issued later the same year. This latter version of the song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1971. Whitfield produced the original Undisputed Truth version, which was released as a single in May 1972. This version of the song peaked at number 63 on the Pop Charts and number 24 on the R&B Charts. The song was included on the Undisputed Truth's album Law of the Land (1973). Later in 1972, Whitfield cut a different version of the song, turning it into a 12-minute track for the Temptations. This version was included on their 1972 album All Directions. The edited 7-inch single release of this Temptations track was issued in September 1972, and this version was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards in 1973. Vocal duties 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.
I was 12 years old when this song was released. Every time this song came on the radio I listened and wondered about the content and message that was in the song. I felt sorry for the family of the fictional Papa character. This composition is brilliantly written and performed.
We saw them with the last living group member a couple summers ago. He was doing all th singing and moves. They've got a great catalogue for their shows.
You`re absolutely right, Angela. The atmosphere captured here within vocals, horn, strings section, the killer bass lines at the intro, somehow a little echo, such a delay device, the wha pedal guitar effect, all that blended in a true master piece of the Golden Era in the Motown sound, a song to be listened till the end of time, the last earth`s day, if I can describe it like this. My very first time listening, my home town, Bogotà, Colombia, one night back in 1972, it was a privilege. as well.
This song has many of the sounds of the “Theme from Shaft”, with Shaft coming out of Memphis and “Papa” coming out of Motown. I too like the wah-wah pedal guitar sound.
A song whenever it comes on I just stop and listen. So many layers to dig into. Each one is delicious and you can find a new layer with every listen and it will always satisfy.
My favorite band of all time, the Temptations with the winning lineup: Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and Dennis Edwards. Dennis, knew how to bring out the powerful voice and the amazing songs that this band released in the spirit of the late 60's and early 70's which I think are amazing, The 70's was the biggest success of soul, funk and disco music. Such songs are no longer written and certainly not performed by singers with unique voices and with amazing music played by real musicians whose sound was fully transmitted to those who listened to them. Full bass, full treble and half a mid that gave the sound of the legendary Motown. I always listen to songs from that time and in this style because there you can hear songs and not like today, shouting. And by the way, Masterpiece is the name of the album of this successful group and also one of the songs on this album with the amazing songs: plastic man, ma, Psychedelic Shack, law of the land.
This was one of the first groups I started listening to when I was a teenager in the late 60s. Incredible group. They earned 4 Grammy awards. Check out "My Girl", "Just my Imagination" and "Can't get Next to You."
I bought this "45" back in 1972 and it's been in my playlist ever since. The musicality and vocals are absolute genius. For what it's worth, I'm an old (given when I bought the record, that's obvious) white guy.
Heavy late 60s / early 70s vibe -- social content, musical experimentation, outside the box in many ways, incredibly complicated song, the song has a lot of pathos to it, it could leave you with a heavy heart, but it is very beautiful
Classic! Classic! CLASSIC!! The Temptations were the truth and this was The Jam!! I was only 2 years old when they released it, but The Temptations were My Mom's Favorite Group and She knew ALL The Lyrics!! Rest In Peace in Heaven Mom and Rest In Peace to all of The Temptations that have transitioned to Heaven.
A great old funky and grooving classic. I have to admit the arrangement is really something. And the interesting thing is the song has hardly actual beat. Beautiful girl, by the way, and the lines you sang sounded good.
Hi Angela, great selection snd reaction. This was the last #1 hit by The Temps. The lead singer is Dennis Edwards, who replaced the legendary David Ruffin. There is an excellent documentary about The Temps that was aired on NBC a number of years ago.
you really need to watch the Temptations movie. because the recording session for this song is absolutely wild and has its own wild story behind it. Dennis won the Grammy's for them but im a David Ruffin fan because he gave them the number 1's. no matter who was the lead vocalist in either era of the group, one thing remained constant "Ain't no one coming here to see you, Otis"
0:56.That guitar sound you hear was probably Dennis Coffey, he kinda pioneered it and played on other Temptations hits as well. Bass sounds like James Jamerson's 1-finger method for sure--played at Motown from 60 to 73. Other great hits by the Tempts during that " Psychedelic Era" are Cloud Nine, Psychedlic Shack and Ball of Confusion. I know you'd love ;em as much as this one!
Hmmm, takes me way back. I saw the Temptations live north of Detroit about 1974, and they were good - did many of their even more popular hits, but I remember THIS song the most. It was very a very powerful performance on stage.
This was the first cassette I bought, which introduced me to "black" music and MOTOWN in 1972. I was 21 at the time - I am now 73 years old. The cassette is called "MASTERPIECE" and is blue - I still have it today, and the version presented is "unfortunately" without the absolutely gigantic foreplay. The version on the MC is over 14 minutes long and is indeed a masterpiece.
The musicians , tour arround also, known as the "Funk Brothers" developed a following , and fame of their own...Motown's musicians by almost any standard were some of, if not the best studio musicians in the recording industry., at Motown's heights & glory days.
SUPERSTAR (REMEMBER HOW YOU GOT WHERE YOU ARE. ) BALL OF CONFUSION, PSYCHEDELIC SHACK, and GLASS HOUSE are hits from the Temptations ready to make your hips dip and groove real smooth. Dennis Edwards was always my favorite lead singer for this group. Aretha Franklin fell in love with his voice and later the man himself. Great tracyion,,Angela
When Papas are rolling stones, it makes life tough on the family. On the other hand, if Mama and Papa cannot get along, he has to go, so it ain't always Papa's fought.
Story of this song. Dennis Edwards had just became the lead singer after Ruffin got kicked out. So they have this new song. Dennis walked out and said I will never sing that song. He did anyway. His dad died on the 3rd of September. CK out the Temptations movie. Free on TH-cam 😊
Where is music like this today? I don't really mean it just to pick today's music, but a song like this is just so well written, crafted and performed. It makes music today almost seem amateur, like very little effort went into it. IDK, maybe I'm too critical or too old.
If anyone has watched the HBO series 'Big Little Lies' with Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, the instrumental portion of 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' figures very prominently in the soundtrack of Season 1 Episode 6.
![“อาร์ต พศุตม์” เกือบเอี่ยวทุกคดีดัง เอ๊ะไว้ก่อน ไม่มีอะไรได้มาง่ายๆ | แฉ 16 ต.ค. 67 [2/3] | GMM25](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0Gx-0-kUBv8/mqdefault.jpg)
There is absolutely no talent in the music industry today that can write music like this!
That's the gospel truth!
The Temptations had a long string of hits for Motown, and was a big part of my childhood.
The great Motown songwriter/producer Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) is finally getting inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame this year. He was responsible for all of the musically-complex and socially-conscious Temptations tracks of the late '60s and early '70s, including this one, along with many other heavy hits like "War" for Edwin Starr. A true musical genius and groundbreaker.
The full-length version runs 11 minutes 50 seconds. There's much more of that great music arrangement.
I love the original.....No edit needed. lol
@@rustybstuff3082 where's the good long versions of great music now. There ain't none, great music is long gone.
This is quite possibly the coolest song EVER!
It it ain't, it'll do until the coolest song gets here.
@@drumhaver223 nice no country for old men call out
I would put Issac Hayes's "Shaft" up there with this.
It's so cool it's ICE COLD!!
A masterpiece!
Yes, thats also a great song of them............ 😝
@@iche50 Yes it is. I started to point that out in my comment!
Oddly enough, it's not on my Command Performances: 17 Greatest Hits CD.
In my eyes,this is the greatest Temps Compilation of lyrics and musical genius.They just don't make em like they used to
Everything about this song is great. Instrumentation, groove, vocals. lyrics, totally amazing.
One of the simplest bass lines ever, yet one of the most effective.
Yes, simple, but can be tricky because of the long pauses between beats. Really have to be on beat to hit the note exactly when needed. But definitely a great notable simple bass line.👍👍
James Jameson played that bass also for four tops stevie wonder and some others
A slow burner that was hugely impactful in its time. Great storytelling, fantastic musicianship, very memorable vocals. And that mournful violin outro... unforgettable.
This was the era of the "wacka-wacka" with deep bass music. I loved it! Motown was the best!
It's one of those songs, each time I hear it, I catch something new. What song don't do
today is arrangement, too often it's noise jumbled together. Papa reminds me of my
Uncle George.
How can you forget the best line?: "all he left us was alone."
Wow. How interesting! I always heard it as “… all he left us was a loan.” But you are so right-double meaning!!!
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song originally performed by Gordy Records recording act the Undisputed Truth in 1972, though it became much better known after a Grammy-award winning cover by the Temptations was issued later the same year. This latter version of the song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1971. Whitfield produced the original Undisputed Truth version, which was released as a single in May 1972. This version of the song peaked at number 63 on the Pop Charts and number 24 on the R&B Charts. The song was included on the Undisputed Truth's album Law of the Land (1973). Later in 1972, Whitfield cut a different version of the song, turning it into a 12-minute track for the Temptations. This version was included on their 1972 album All Directions. The edited 7-inch single release of this Temptations track was issued in September 1972, and this version was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards in 1973. Vocal duties 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.
Great song from a long, long time ago.
Thanks for reviewing this REAL classic. Peace and Love Your Way Always Angela!
The song is Pure magic .
I was 12 years old when this song was released. Every time this song came on the radio I listened and wondered about the content and message that was in the song. I felt sorry for the family of the fictional Papa character. This composition is brilliantly written and performed.
Continue to R.I.P to the Temptations that are no longer with us ❤. Thanks Angela for this early 70's House party classic. 😊
We saw them with the last living group member a couple summers ago. He was doing all th singing and moves. They've got a great catalogue for their shows.
@@starman2337 I have no doubt. I love everything by the temps
There is one original temptation left in the group
@@charlesbarber7523 yes mr Otis Williams
One of the GREATEST introductions to a song ever! My favorite Temps song!
For another song by the Temptations , try Ball of Confusion .
You`re absolutely right, Angela. The atmosphere captured here within vocals, horn, strings section, the killer bass lines at the intro, somehow a little echo, such a delay device, the wha pedal guitar effect, all that blended in a true master piece of the Golden Era in the Motown sound, a song to be listened till the end of time, the last earth`s day, if I can describe it like this. My very first time listening, my home town, Bogotà, Colombia, one night back in 1972, it was a privilege. as well.
"Masterpiece", another great Temps piece.
Masterpiece. Greatest single line ever! Alone
This song has many of the sounds of the “Theme from Shaft”, with Shaft coming out of Memphis and “Papa” coming out of Motown. I too like the wah-wah pedal guitar sound.
A song whenever it comes on I just stop and listen. So many layers to dig into. Each one is delicious and you can find a new layer with every listen and it will always satisfy.
My favorite band of all time, the Temptations with the winning lineup: Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and Dennis Edwards.
Dennis, knew how to bring out the powerful voice and the amazing songs that this band released in the spirit of the late 60's and early 70's which I think are amazing, The 70's was the biggest success of soul, funk and disco music.
Such songs are no longer written and certainly not performed by singers with unique voices and with amazing music played by real musicians whose sound was fully transmitted to those who listened to them. Full bass, full treble and half a mid that gave the sound of the legendary Motown.
I always listen to songs from that time and in this style because there you can hear songs and not like today, shouting.
And by the way, Masterpiece is the name of the album of this successful group and also one of the songs on this album with the amazing songs: plastic man, ma, Psychedelic Shack, law of the land.
Pretty much about this time they had already departed from the traditional Motown sound. This was psychedelic soul.
This was one of the first groups I started listening to when I was a teenager in the late 60s. Incredible group. They earned 4 Grammy awards. Check out "My Girl", "Just my Imagination" and "Can't get Next to You."
This song is a classic!!
I bought this "45" back in 1972 and it's been in my playlist ever since. The musicality and vocals are absolute genius. For what it's worth, I'm an old (given when I bought the record, that's obvious) white guy.
Thanks Angela. Classic Temptations. I was 17 when this came out. Take care. ☮
this song scene was GREEEAAAATTTT in the biopic
A definitive song of the 1970s! I was all of 6 years old and knew it well.
Thanks for the reaction, this is my favorite Temptations song!
Heavy late 60s / early 70s vibe -- social content, musical experimentation, outside the box in many ways, incredibly complicated song, the song has a lot of pathos to it, it could leave you with a heavy heart, but it is very beautiful
Best intro ever, it could be a hit all by itself.
I love watching this group. And then they start singing. Wow!
I was strictly into hard rock back in ‘72,but this song stopped me dead in my tracks…..So great.
70s best decade for music.
there is a stone cold wind of loss and abandonment blowing through this one. :(
Classic song. We all heard this one.
Awesome tune. The instrumental build up emphasizes the seriousness of the situation the lyrics describe.
These dudes were just cool. The epitome of cool.
Very nice reaction. Loved how you listened intently. And you had an intelligent musical observation. Hello from Israel !
Classic! Classic! CLASSIC!! The Temptations were the truth and this was The Jam!! I was only 2 years old when they released it, but The Temptations were My Mom's Favorite Group and She knew ALL The Lyrics!! Rest In Peace in Heaven Mom and Rest In Peace to all of The Temptations that have transitioned to Heaven.
A great old funky and grooving classic. I have to admit the arrangement is really something. And the interesting thing is the song has hardly actual beat. Beautiful girl, by the way, and the lines you sang sounded good.
I like how unlike other channels you give a real breakdown of the song.
Such a classic.
Hi Angela, great selection snd reaction. This was the last #1 hit by The Temps. The lead singer is Dennis Edwards, who replaced the legendary David Ruffin.
There is an excellent documentary about The Temps that was aired on NBC a number of years ago.
Greatest intro in music (along with Shaft)!
Awesome song!! Haven’t heard it in years!! 👏👏
This recording is a masterpiece. One of the top songs of all time.
Motown Music is a true American Treasure.
I remember when this song broke the radiowaves! I still know all the words!
Love your reaction Angela!!
I was 8 when this song came out.
Watch them performing this song on Soul Train!
This song hit #1 for 1 week on billboards pop chart and #5 on billboards soul chart in 1972.
I agree, Angela, this could have been an instrumental from start to finish and I would have still loved it...
The beginning of this song always reminds me of the theme song of "Shaft".
you really need to watch the Temptations movie. because the recording session for this song is absolutely wild and has its own wild story behind it. Dennis won the Grammy's for them but im a David Ruffin fan because he gave them the number 1's. no matter who was the lead vocalist in either era of the group, one thing remained constant "Ain't no one coming here to see you, Otis"
The best of Motown. Temptations forever. And the Funk brothers instrumentals. That was Melvin Franklin singing bass, Dennis Edwards on lead vocals.
Lovely Angela. This is a great group.
Maybe my favorite of all time!!!
This is unmistakable with that great intro. This was different to anything they had done before and a great song-Colin Ward
There are very few people today that could recreate this sort of mood and then the lyrics going with it. Yeah this is a classic
0:56.That guitar sound you hear was probably Dennis Coffey, he kinda pioneered it and played on other Temptations hits as well. Bass sounds like James Jamerson's 1-finger method for sure--played at Motown from 60 to 73. Other great hits by the Tempts during that " Psychedelic Era" are Cloud Nine, Psychedlic Shack and Ball of Confusion. I know you'd love ;em as much as this one!
I have this tune on CD. Temptations were HUGE when I grew up listening to CKLW radio out of Windsor, Ontario, Canada (Metro Detroit).
In 1963 my sister and I were playing hide and seek with my father we didn't find him until 1997 - Papa was a Rolling Stone
Great song and reaction
AND MAMA,
GREAT TUNE! Love It! Thank You!
I sing this in my head all the time a d yes I love the. Bass to but listen real instruments wow hey our music was great 😊
Best intro to any song. Ever.
Over 50 years plus and it still sounds great. Also a great preforming group.
Thank you.Really.Thank you.
This is ultimate OG song ever!
Where are you papa!?
Line after line of music layers laid down.l went to a huge county school we all sang this song in the locker room black, Hispanic, white
Top tier, top shelf, gold.
Hmmm, takes me way back. I saw the Temptations live north of Detroit about 1974, and they were good - did many of their even more popular hits, but I remember THIS song the most. It was very a very powerful performance on stage.
A Real Soul Classic!
This was the first cassette I bought, which introduced me to "black" music and MOTOWN in 1972. I was 21 at the time - I am now 73 years old. The cassette is called "MASTERPIECE" and is blue - I still have it today, and the version presented is "unfortunately" without the absolutely gigantic foreplay. The version on the MC is over 14 minutes long and is indeed a masterpiece.
Another great song by the Temptations... Ball of Confusion
The musicians , tour arround also, known as the "Funk Brothers" developed a following , and fame of their own...Motown's musicians by almost any standard were some of, if not the best studio musicians in the recording industry., at Motown's heights & glory days.
One of greatest songs ever written. And it didn't get any better than, The Temptations. Songs back then told stories......good, bad and ugly,
A Classic!!
What was left of the Funk Bros by 72 laid down an epic track
SUPERSTAR (REMEMBER HOW YOU GOT WHERE YOU ARE. )
BALL OF CONFUSION,
PSYCHEDELIC SHACK,
and GLASS HOUSE are hits from the Temptations ready to make your hips dip and groove real smooth.
Dennis Edwards was always my favorite lead singer for this group. Aretha Franklin fell in love with his voice and later the man himself.
Great tracyion,,Angela
Play this song especially every 3rd of September. My favorite Temptations track.
When Papas are rolling stones, it makes life tough on the family. On the other hand, if Mama and Papa cannot get along, he has to go, so it ain't always Papa's fought.
This is the 1st time I have listened to it all the way through.
A great song by a great band. Perfect!
Story of this song. Dennis Edwards had just became the lead singer after Ruffin got kicked out. So they have this new song. Dennis walked out and said I will never sing that song. He did anyway. His dad died on the 3rd of September. CK out the Temptations movie. Free on TH-cam 😊
Definitely worth spending the time, it's a long movie but very well done.
@@jamesrobbison yup. And don't forget the band. Made more number one hits than any band. The Funk Brothers!
Was also confused at first(when the song came out) A Loan or Alone? Poignant lyrics and beautiful instrumentation.
This is peak late Temptations, if you couldn't tell already. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, if there was any question.
Where is music like this today? I don't really mean it just to pick today's music, but a song like this is just so well written, crafted and performed. It makes music today almost seem amateur, like very little effort went into it. IDK, maybe I'm too critical or too old.
Much of today’s music is amateur and terrible. unfortunately today’s youth eat it up so I don’t really see it changing
Or maybe you’re just right
Classic 🎶
I got a request Angela... the song is " Feels so right " by the group Alabama. They have great harmonies.
Motown masterpiece!!
Iconic. Rhe best
If anyone has watched the HBO series 'Big Little Lies' with Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, the instrumental portion of 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' figures very prominently in the soundtrack of Season 1 Episode 6.