Immediately brings me back to Fall 1972 There was a record out in 1971 "Theme from 'Shaft'" - Shaft by Isaac Hayez was a movie at the time and the "Theme" was very very influential on the other "urban" music from this time period. Listen to the Theme from Shaft and you will recognize many of the elements of the instrumental portions of Papa Was A Rolling Stone
@@Starr-d-v8x when I was a kid in the 60s the music that the old people lived from back when they were young was seriously lame - "Tea for Two" type stuff. So thats one thing you can say about our generation - at least we're leaving the kids great music!
"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.
An all time R&B classic. A saga of a wayward dad who meets an early demise and leaves many unanswered questions about who and what he really was. The stories about him are based on hearsay and rumor. So how much of it is true? They seem to think Mama knows the answer. The song doesn't resolve it, but is definitely accusatory in its tone. Does mama know? We don't find out, but the "groove" is outrageously gorgeous isn't it? Thanks for the reaction, Ambrose Cynthia, you pretty much nailed it. 🙂
This was originally recorded by the Undisputed Truth in 1972. It didn't make the charts. The Temptations covered it a year later in 73 and eventually won a Grammy for it.
The damages caused to families by ne'er-do-well fathers (little more than sperm donors with much greater harms done!) is profoundly explored in this classic. TheTemptations have many more, and more pop oriented, hits that you should explore Cynthia!!! Thanx for this great reaction.
Hi my dear.... first of all, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your reaction to this masterpiece ! I love watching you enjoying the instrumental parts... and of course your thoughts about the lyrics right after the song.... and what can I say ? You nailed it once again with your words. BUT... this groove all over the almost 12 minutes... isn't it fantastic ? And when you hear these sounds and compare them to the Monophonics, you can easily find lots of parallels, can't you ? Now that I commented on your community tab upload with some more suiggestions, I am so eager to see what you are going to react to next. Hugs and kisses from your dear friend Gerry PS : And WOW ! You mentioned the parallels to Fela Kuti ? Now I am curious to hear him, since I don't yet know any of his music ... but that will change, for sure. 🙂
I'm an old white guy, but one of the first "45's" I ever purchased was this song--the story is very sad, but the musicality and vocals are absolute genius and timeless.
The production is awesome, of course. As for the message, unfortunately, far too many men dont stay with their children. Even the rich abandon their kids.
Immediately brings me back to Fall 1972
There was a record out in 1971 "Theme from 'Shaft'" - Shaft by Isaac Hayez was a movie at the time and the "Theme" was very very influential on the other "urban" music from this time period.
Listen to the Theme from Shaft and you will recognize many of the elements of the instrumental portions of Papa Was A Rolling Stone
It bring me back there too. I notice that the new reactors hasn't got to their other song 'Masterpiece' yet. So much hot buried treasure back there...
@@Starr-d-v8x when I was a kid in the 60s the music that the old people lived from back when they were young was seriously lame - "Tea for Two" type stuff.
So thats one thing you can say about our generation - at least we're leaving the kids great music!
"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.
Beautiful woman...u gonna love this! There hasnt been many months inbetween when i haven't played this!!
An all time R&B classic. A saga of a wayward dad who meets an early demise and leaves many unanswered questions about who and what he really was. The stories about him are based on hearsay and rumor. So how much of it is true? They seem to think Mama knows the answer. The song doesn't resolve it, but is definitely accusatory in its tone. Does mama know? We don't find out, but the "groove" is outrageously gorgeous isn't it? Thanks for the reaction, Ambrose Cynthia, you pretty much nailed it. 🙂
This was originally recorded by the Undisputed Truth in 1972. It didn't make the charts.
The Temptations covered it a year later in 73 and eventually won a Grammy for it.
This is a great version...The Temptations are a band you should hear everything they've done; it's all great...
Musicians... true musicians. So glad you're hearin' the un-edited version. I wonder how long they jammed after the fade at the end.
The damages caused to families by ne'er-do-well fathers (little more than sperm donors with much greater harms done!) is profoundly explored in this classic.
TheTemptations have many more, and more pop oriented, hits that you should explore Cynthia!!! Thanx for this great reaction.
Hi my dear.... first of all, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your reaction to this masterpiece ! I love watching you enjoying the instrumental parts... and of course your thoughts about the lyrics right after the song.... and what can I say ? You nailed it once again with your words. BUT... this groove all over the almost 12 minutes... isn't it fantastic ? And when you hear these sounds and compare them to the Monophonics, you can easily find lots of parallels, can't you ?
Now that I commented on your community tab upload with some more suiggestions, I am so eager to see what you are going to react to next.
Hugs and kisses from your dear friend Gerry
PS : And WOW ! You mentioned the parallels to Fela Kuti ? Now I am curious to hear him, since I don't yet know any of his music ... but that will change, for sure. 🙂
Gosh when was so better in this crazy crazy world today!
I'm an old white guy, but one of the first "45's" I ever purchased was this song--the story is very sad, but the musicality and vocals are absolute genius and timeless.
Thank you for your thoughtful reaction. Indeed a classic.
A great old song.
One of my all time fav
Epic song
The Album version of the Temptations songs had long play and music tracks.
The production is awesome, of course. As for the message, unfortunately, far too many men dont stay with their children. Even the rich abandon their kids.
All he left us was "A LOAN" OR " ALONE"❓