On this day in music history: March 6, 1965 - “My Girl” by The Temptations hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, also topping the R&B singles chart for 6 weeks on January 30, 1965. Written by William “Smokey” Robinson and Ronald White, it is the first chart topping single for the legendary Motown vocal quintet. Having finally broken through in the Spring of 1964 with “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, The Temptations will score sizeable follow up hits with the double A-sided hit “I’ll Be In Trouble/The Girl’s Alright With Me” and “Girl (Why You Want To Make Me Blue)”. With all of those songs having featured Eddie Kendricks on lead vocals, Smokey Robinson will set out to write something for new group member David Ruffin to sing lead on. Taking inspiration from his wife Claudette, Robinson (along with fellow Miracle Ronnie White) will write an ode to her called “My Girl”. The basic track will be recorded at Motown’s Studio A on September 25, 1964, with the strings overdubbed on November 10, 1964, and the group adding their vocals on November 17, 1964. Released on December 21, 1964, the single is an instant smash on the R&B chart, zooming to the top within five weeks of its release, becoming the first chart topping single on the newly re-established Billboard R&B singles chart (Billboard Magazine did not publish an R&B singles or LP chart from November 30, 1963 - January 23, 1965). It will make an impressive trip up the pop chart in similar fashion. Entering the Hot 100 at #76 on January 16, 1965, it will climb to the top of the chart seven weeks later. Considered one of the quintessential Motown songs, will be frequently featured in films and TV programs over the years. “My Girl” is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA, and is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1998.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 00:58:11 +0000
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