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a Rollin' Stone" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone" title="Papa Was a Rollin' Stone – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-it mw-list-item"><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone" title="Papa Was a Rollin' Stone – Italian" lang="it" hreflang="it" data-title="Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" data-language-autonym="Italiano" data-language-local-name="Italian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Italiano</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-nl mw-list-item"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone" 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.infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox vevent"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above summary" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki; font-size: 125%;">"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="/wiki/File:Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Undisputed_Truth_US_vinyl.png" class="mw-file-description" title="side-A label"><img alt="side-A label" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Undisputed_Truth_US_vinyl.png/220px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Undisputed_Truth_US_vinyl.png" decoding="async" width="220" height="220" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Undisputed_Truth_US_vinyl.png/330px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Undisputed_Truth_US_vinyl.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Undisputed_Truth_US_vinyl.png/440px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Undisputed_Truth_US_vinyl.png 2x" data-file-width="583" data-file-height="583" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption">US single of the Undisputed Truth recording</div></td></tr><tr class="description"><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header description" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki;"><a href="/wiki/Single_(music)" title="Single (music)">Single</a> by <a href="/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth" title="The Undisputed Truth">the Undisputed Truth</a></th></tr><tr class="description"><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header description" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki;">from the album <i> <a href="/wiki/Law_of_the_Land_(album)" title="Law of the Land (album)">Law of the Land</a> </i></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/A-side_and_B-side" title="A-side and B-side">B-side</a></span></th><td class="infobox-data plainlist">"Friendship Train"</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Released</th><td class="infobox-data plainlist">May 9, 1972</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Music_genre" title="Music genre">Genre</a></th><td class="infobox-data category hlist"><a href="/wiki/Soul_music" title="Soul music">Soul</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Length</th><td class="infobox-data plainlist"><span class="duration"><span class="min">3</span>:<span class="s">25</span></span></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Record_label" title="Record label">Label</a></th><td class="infobox-data hlist"><a href="/wiki/Motown" title="Motown">Gordy</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Songwriter" title="Songwriter">Songwriter(s)</a></span></th><td class="infobox-data hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Norman_Whitfield" title="Norman Whitfield">Norman Whitfield</a></li> <li>Barrett Strong</li></ul> </td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Record_producer" title="Record producer">Producer(s)</a></span></th><td class="infobox-data hlist">Norman Whitfield</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header description" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki;"><a href="/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth" title="The Undisputed Truth">The Undisputed Truth</a> singles chronology</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"> <table style="background: transparent; color: inherit; width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; display: inline-table;"> <tbody><tr style="line-height: 1.4em;"> <td style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em .1em .2em 0;">"Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" <br />(1972) </td> <td style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding:.2em .1em;">"<b>Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</b>" <br />(1972) </td> <td style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em 0 .2em .1em;">"Girl, You're Alright" <br />(1973) </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1126788409"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"><table class="infobox vevent"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above summary" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki; font-size: 125%;">"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="/wiki/File:Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Temptations_US_vinyl.jpg" class="mw-file-description" title="side-A label"><img alt="side-A label" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Temptations_US_vinyl.jpg/220px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Temptations_US_vinyl.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="220" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Temptations_US_vinyl.jpg/330px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Temptations_US_vinyl.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Temptations_US_vinyl.jpg/440px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_by_The_Temptations_US_vinyl.jpg 2x" data-file-width="780" data-file-height="780" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption">US single of the Temptations recording</div></td></tr><tr class="description"><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header description" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki;"><a href="/wiki/Single_(music)" title="Single (music)">Single</a> by <a href="/wiki/The_Temptations" title="The Temptations">the Temptations</a></th></tr><tr class="description"><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header description" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki;">from the album <i> <a href="/wiki/All_Directions" title="All Directions">All Directions</a> </i></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/A-side_and_B-side" title="A-side and B-side">B-side</a></span></th><td class="infobox-data plainlist">"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (instrumental)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Released</th><td class="infobox-data plainlist">September 28, 1972</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Recorded</th><td class="infobox-data plainlist">May 15, June 14, June 22 and 28, 1972</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Recording_studio" title="Recording studio">Studio</a></th><td class="infobox-data plainlist"><a href="/wiki/Hitsville_USA" class="mw-redirect" title="Hitsville USA">Hitsville USA</a> (Studio A), Detroit, Michigan</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Music_genre" title="Music genre">Genre</a></th><td class="infobox-data category hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Psychedelic_soul" title="Psychedelic soul">Psychedelic soul</a><sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Funk" title="Funk">funk</a><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li></ul> </td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Length</th><td class="infobox-data plainlist"> <ul><li><span class="duration"><span class="min">6</span>:<span class="s">54</span></span> (single edit)</li> <li>12:04 (album mix)<sup id="cite_ref-full_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-full-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>11:45 ("faded early")</li></ul> </td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Record_label" title="Record label">Label</a></th><td class="infobox-data hlist"><a href="/wiki/Gordy_Records" class="mw-redirect" title="Gordy Records">Gordy</a> (G 7121)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Songwriter" title="Songwriter">Songwriter(s)</a></span></th><td class="infobox-data hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Norman_Whitfield" title="Norman Whitfield">Norman Whitfield</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Barrett_Strong" title="Barrett Strong">Barrett Strong</a></li></ul> </td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Record_producer" title="Record producer">Producer(s)</a></span></th><td class="infobox-data hlist">Norman Whitfield</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header description" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki;"><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations" title="The Temptations">The Temptations</a> singles chronology</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"> <table style="background: transparent; color: inherit; width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; display: inline-table;"> <tbody><tr style="line-height: 1.4em;"> <td style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em .1em .2em 0;">"<a href="/wiki/Mother_Nature_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Mother Nature (The Temptations song)">Mother Nature</a>" <br />(1972) </td> <td style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding:.2em .1em;">"<b>Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</b>" <br />(1972) </td> <td style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em 0 .2em .1em;">"<a href="/wiki/Masterpiece_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Masterpiece (The Temptations song)">Masterpiece</a>" <br />(1973) </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-below"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background:khaki">Official audio</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71l85z2bXAs"><span class="plainlinks">"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (11:45 version)</span></a> on <a href="/wiki/YouTube_video_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="YouTube video (identifier)">YouTube</a></td></tr><tr style="display:none"><td colspan="2"> </td></tr></tbody></table> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1126788409"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"><table class="infobox vevent"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above summary" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki; font-size: 125%;">"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (Remix 1987)"</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="/wiki/File:Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_Remix_1987_by_The_Temptations.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_Remix_1987_by_The_Temptations.jpg/220px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_Remix_1987_by_The_Temptations.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="217" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_Remix_1987_by_The_Temptations.jpg/330px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_Remix_1987_by_The_Temptations.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_Remix_1987_by_The_Temptations.jpg/440px-Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone_Remix_1987_by_The_Temptations.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1187" data-file-height="1173" /></a></span></td></tr><tr class="description"><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header description" style="color: #202122;background-color: khaki;"><a href="/wiki/Single_(music)" title="Single (music)">Single</a> by <a href="/wiki/The_Temptations" title="The Temptations">the Temptations</a></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Released</th><td class="infobox-data plainlist">1987</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Music_genre" title="Music genre">Genre</a></th><td class="infobox-data category hlist"><a href="/wiki/Soul_music" title="Soul music">Soul</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Record_label" title="Record label">Label</a></th><td class="infobox-data hlist"><a href="/wiki/Motown" title="Motown">Motown</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Songwriter" title="Songwriter">Songwriter(s)</a></span></th><td class="infobox-data hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Norman_Whitfield" title="Norman Whitfield">Norman Whitfield</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Barrett_Strong" title="Barrett Strong">Barrett Strong</a></li></ul> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>"<b>Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</b>" is a song originally performed by <a href="/wiki/Motown" title="Motown">Motown</a> recording act <a href="/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth" title="The Undisputed Truth">the Undisputed Truth</a> in 1972, though it became much better known after a Grammy-award winning cover by <a href="/wiki/The_Temptations" title="The Temptations">the Temptations</a> was issued later the same year. This latter version of the song became a number-one hit on the <a href="/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100" title="Billboard Hot 100"><i>Billboard</i> Hot 100</a>. </p><p>"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was written by <a href="/wiki/Norman_Whitfield" title="Norman Whitfield">Norman Whitfield</a> and <a href="/wiki/Barrett_Strong" title="Barrett Strong">Barrett Strong</a> 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 <a href="/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100" title="Billboard Hot 100">Pop Charts</a> and number 24 on the <a href="/wiki/Hot_R%26B/Hip-Hop_Songs" title="Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">R&B Charts</a>. The song was included on the Undisputed Truth's album <a href="/wiki/Law_of_the_Land_(album)" title="Law of the Land (album)"><i>Law of the Land</i></a> (1973). </p><p>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 <i><a href="/wiki/All_Directions" title="All Directions">All Directions</a></i>. 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 <a href="/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100" title="Billboard Hot 100"><i>Billboard</i> Hot 100</a> and won three <a href="/wiki/Grammy_Award" class="mw-redirect" title="Grammy Award">Grammy Awards</a> in 1973. While the original Undisputed Truth version of the song has been largely forgotten, the Temptations' version of the song has been regarded as an enduring and influential soul classic. The full-length album version was ranked number 169 on <i><a href="/wiki/Rolling_Stone" title="Rolling Stone">Rolling Stone</a></i><span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'</span>s list of the <a href="/wiki/Rolling_Stone%27s_500_Greatest_Songs_of_All_Time" title="Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time">500 Greatest Songs of All Time</a>, one of the group's three songs on the list. In retrospect, the Temptations' <a href="/wiki/Otis_Williams" title="Otis Williams">Otis Williams</a> considers the song 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). </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Overview">Overview</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Overview"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Beginning with an extended instrumental introduction (3:53 in length), each of the three verses in the Temptations's version 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 <a href="/wiki/Hi-hat" title="Hi-hat">hi-hat</a> cymbals drumming, establishes the musical theme, a simple three-note figure; the bass is gradually joined by other instruments, including a blues guitar, <a href="/wiki/Wah-wah_pedal" title="Wah-wah pedal">wah-wah</a> guitar, <a href="/wiki/Electric_piano" title="Electric piano">electric piano</a>, handclaps, strings and solo trumpet; all are tied together by the ever-present bass guitar line and repeating hi-hat rhythm. </p><p>The official album version of the song is 12:04 not 11:45 as stated on the record label. When <i>All Directions</i> was issued on CD, it was shorter at 11:45.<sup id="cite_ref-full_4-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-full-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The full LP version is featured on the Temptations' <i>Psychedelic Soul</i> compilation.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Vocal duties are performed in a true ensemble style: Temptations singers <a href="/wiki/Dennis_Edwards" title="Dennis Edwards">Dennis Edwards</a>, <a href="/wiki/Melvin_Franklin" title="Melvin Franklin">Melvin Franklin</a>, <a href="/wiki/Richard_Street" title="Richard Street">Richard Street</a> (who was a frequent fill-in for <a href="/wiki/Paul_Williams_(The_Temptations)" class="mw-redirect" title="Paul Williams (The Temptations)">Paul Williams</a> and his eventual replacement) and <a href="/wiki/Damon_Harris" title="Damon Harris">Damon Harris</a> (who had replaced <a href="/wiki/Eddie_Kendricks" title="Eddie Kendricks">Eddie Kendricks</a> as the group's <a href="/wiki/Falsetto" title="Falsetto">falsetto</a> singer the previous year) alternate vocal lines, taking the role of siblings questioning their mother about their now-dead 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." </p><p>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. Whitfield forced 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.<sup id="cite_ref-R-232_6-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-R-232-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Whitfield's treatment of the group eventually led to his dismissal as their producer.<sup id="cite_ref-R-232_6-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-R-232-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Legend has it 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 the third of September. Edwards's father actually died on the third of October.<sup id="cite_ref-R-232_6-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-R-232-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The solo trumpet part in the introduction was played by <a href="/wiki/The_Funk_Brothers#Members" title="The Funk Brothers">Funk Brothers</a> member Maurice Davis; guitar parts were played by fellow member <a href="/wiki/Melvin_%22Wah-Wah_Watson%22_Ragin" class="mw-redirect" title="Melvin "Wah-Wah Watson" Ragin">Melvin "Wah-Wah Watson" Ragin</a><sup id="cite_ref-Watson_7-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Watson-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and a young <a href="/wiki/Paul_Warren_(guitarist)" title="Paul Warren (guitarist)">Paul Warren</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Warren_8-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Warren-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Temptations' version of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" followed in the extended-length "<a href="/wiki/Cinematic_soul" title="Cinematic soul">cinematic soul</a>" tradition of the work of <a href="/wiki/Isaac_Hayes" title="Isaac Hayes">Isaac Hayes</a> and others, and future songs like <a href="/wiki/Donna_Summer" title="Donna Summer">Donna Summer</a>'s 14-minute "<a href="/wiki/Love_to_Love_You_Baby_(song)" title="Love to Love You Baby (song)">Love to Love You Baby</a>" and the instrumentals of <a href="/wiki/MFSB" title="MFSB">MFSB</a> expanded upon the concept in the mid-1970s. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Release">Release</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Release"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>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 <i><a href="/wiki/Anthology_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Anthology (The Temptations album)">Anthology</a></i> triple LP. The Temptations' box set <i><a href="/wiki/Emperors_of_Soul" title="Emperors of Soul">Emperors of Soul</a></i> has the edited version in stereo, but without the congas. The <a href="/wiki/A-side_and_B-side" title="A-side and B-side">B-side</a> was the instrumental backing by <a href="/wiki/The_Funk_Brothers" title="The Funk Brothers">the Funk Brothers</a> without the Temptations' vocals (though Damon Harris' final chorus is included after a single "Unngh!" at the end of the second verse), this version appears on the Funk Brothers' 2003 compilation <i>20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection</i>. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Reception">Reception</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Reception"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" 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 <i>All Directions</i>, won three 1973 Grammys: its A-side won for <a href="/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_R%26B_Performance_by_a_Duo_or_Group_with_Vocals" title="Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals">Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group</a>; its B-side won for <a href="/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_R%26B_Instrumental_Performance" title="Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance">Best R&B Instrumental</a> (awarded to Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Riser); and Whitfield and Barrett Strong won for <a href="/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_R%26B_Song" title="Grammy Award for Best R&B Song">Best R&B Song</a> as the song's composers. In 1999, the song was inducted into the <a href="/wiki/Grammy_Hall_of_Fame" title="Grammy Hall of Fame">Grammy Hall of Fame</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p><a href="/wiki/Kelefa_Sanneh" title="Kelefa Sanneh">Kelefa Sanneh</a> described the song as "nearly seven glorious minutes long (the album version was twelve) sustained by little more than a perfect bassline and a few artfully placed hand claps."<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p><i><a href="/wiki/Stereogum" title="Stereogum">Stereogum</a></i> called it "a monolith. A towering monument out of tense hi-hats and pulsating bass and shivering strings and hard-strutting chicken-scratch guitars and panicked trumpet-blasts. And the merciless four-four stomp-clap beat predicted not just disco but house music, as well."<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Covers_and_remixes">Covers and remixes</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Covers and remixes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Bill "Wolf" Wolfer created an <a href="/wiki/Electronic_music" title="Electronic music">electronic</a> cover of the song for his 1983 debut album <i>Wolf</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The single peaked at number 55 on the <i><a href="/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" title="Billboard (magazine)">Billboard</a></i> <a href="/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100" title="Billboard Hot 100">Hot 100</a> in January 1983, as well as number 47 on the <a href="/wiki/Hot_R%26B/Hip-Hop_Songs" title="Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">R&B Charts</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Michael_Jackson" title="Michael Jackson">Michael Jackson</a> provided backing vocals.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>The group <a href="/wiki/Was_(Not_Was)" title="Was (Not Was)">Was (Not Was)</a> covered the song on their 1990 album <i><a href="/wiki/Are_You_Okay%3F" title="Are You Okay?">Are You Okay?</a></i>. Their version reached number 12 in the UK.<sup id="cite_ref-UK2_16-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-UK2-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li><a href="/wiki/George_Michael" title="George Michael">George Michael</a> performed "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" live at the <a href="/wiki/Wembley_Arena" title="Wembley Arena">Wembley Arena</a> and released it in a remixed version together with the <a href="/wiki/Adamski" title="Adamski">Adamski</a> song "<a href="/wiki/Killer_(Adamski_song)" title="Killer (Adamski song)">Killer</a>" on the 1993 EP <i><a href="/wiki/Five_Live_(George_Michael_and_Queen_EP)" title="Five Live (George Michael and Queen EP)">Five Live</a></i>. It was released as a single and charted at number 69 on the <a href="/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100" title="Billboard Hot 100">US <i>Billboard</i> Hot 100</a>.</li> <li>On May 17, 2024, British-American musician <a href="/wiki/Slash_(musician)" title="Slash (musician)">Slash</a> released a cover of the song as part of his second solo studio album <i><a href="/wiki/Orgy_of_the_Damned" title="Orgy of the Damned">Orgy of the Damned</a></i> (2024); the track featured American singer <a href="/wiki/Demi_Lovato" title="Demi Lovato">Demi Lovato</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Personnel">Personnel</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Personnel"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Undisputed_Truth_version">Undisputed Truth version</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Undisputed Truth version"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Lead and background vocals by Joe Harris, Billie Rae Calvin, and Brenda Joyce</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Temptations_version">Temptations version</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Temptations version"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Lead vocals by <a href="/wiki/Dennis_Edwards" title="Dennis Edwards">Dennis Edwards</a>, <a href="/wiki/Melvin_Franklin" title="Melvin Franklin">Melvin Franklin</a>, <a href="/wiki/Richard_Street" title="Richard Street">Richard Street</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Damon_Harris" title="Damon Harris">Damon Harris</a></li> <li>Background vocals by Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street, Damon Harris, and <a href="/wiki/Otis_Williams" title="Otis Williams">Otis Williams</a></li> <li>Arranged and conducted by <a href="/wiki/Paul_Riser" title="Paul Riser">Paul Riser</a></li> <li>Instrumentation by <a href="/wiki/The_Funk_Brothers" title="The Funk Brothers">the Funk Brothers</a> (specific musicians listed below) and the <a href="/wiki/Detroit_Symphony_Orchestra" title="Detroit Symphony Orchestra">Detroit Symphony Orchestra</a> <ul><li>Guitars by <a href="/wiki/Melvin_%22Wah_Wah_Watson%22_Ragin" class="mw-redirect" title="Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin">Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin</a><sup id="cite_ref-Watson_7-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Watson-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and <a href="/wiki/Paul_Warren_(guitarist)" title="Paul Warren (guitarist)">Paul Warren</a><sup id="cite_ref-Warren_8-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Warren-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rhodes_piano" title="Rhodes piano">Fender Rhodes</a> electric piano by <a href="/wiki/Earl_Van_Dyke" title="Earl Van Dyke">Earl Van Dyke</a><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>Organ by <a href="/wiki/Johnny_Griffith_(musician)" title="Johnny Griffith (musician)">Johnny Griffith</a><sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>Trumpet by Maurice Davis</li> <li>Bass by <a href="/wiki/Bob_Babbitt" title="Bob Babbitt">Bob Babbitt</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Leroy Taylor,<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> or <a href="/wiki/James_Jamerson" title="James Jamerson">James Jamerson</a><sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>Drums by <a href="/wiki/Aaron_Smith_(musician)" title="Aaron Smith (musician)">Aaron Smith</a><sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li></ul></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Charts">Charts</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Charts"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1216972533">.mw-parser-output .col-begin{border-collapse:collapse;padding:0;color:inherit;width:100%;border:0;margin:0}.mw-parser-output .col-begin-small{font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output .col-break{vertical-align:top;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .col-break-2{width:50%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-3{width:33.3%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-4{width:25%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-5{width:20%}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .col-begin,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr>td{display:block!important;width:100%!important}.mw-parser-output .col-break{padding-left:0!important}}</style><div> <table class="col-begin" role="presentation" style="width:"> <tbody><tr> <td class="col-break col-break-2"> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="The_Temptations_version">The Temptations version</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: The Temptations version"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <table class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"> <caption>Weekly chart performance for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" by the Temptations </caption> <tbody><tr> <th scope="col">Chart (1972–1973) </th> <th scope="col">Peak<br />position </th></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Australia (<a href="/wiki/Kent_Music_Report" title="Kent Music Report">Kent Music Report</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">69 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Belgium (<a href="/wiki/Ultratop" title="Ultratop">Ultratop 50</a> Flanders)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Flanders_The_Temptations_26-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Flanders_The_Temptations-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">16 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Canada Top Singles (<i><a href="/wiki/RPM_(magazine)" title="RPM (magazine)">RPM</a></i>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Canadatopsingles_The_Temptations_27-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Canadatopsingles_The_Temptations-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">12 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">France (<a href="/wiki/Syndicat_National_de_l%27%C3%89dition_Phonographique" class="mw-redirect" title="Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique">SNEP</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">42 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Germany (<a href="/wiki/GfK_Entertainment_charts" title="GfK Entertainment charts">GfK</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Germany_The_Temptations_29-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Germany_The_Temptations-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">11 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Netherlands (<a href="/wiki/Dutch_Top_40" title="Dutch Top 40">Dutch Top 40</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Dutch40_The_Temptations_30-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Dutch40_The_Temptations-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">5 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Netherlands (<a href="/wiki/Dutch_Single_Top_100" title="Dutch Single Top 100">Single Top 100</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Dutch100_The_Temptations_31-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Dutch100_The_Temptations-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">3 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">New Zealand (<i><a href="/wiki/New_Zealand_Listener" title="New Zealand Listener">Listener</a></i>)<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">6 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row"><a href="/wiki/South_Africa" title="South Africa">South African</a> Chart<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">6 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row"><a href="/wiki/UK_Singles_Chart" class="mw-redirect" title="UK Singles Chart">UK Singles</a> (<a href="/wiki/Official_Charts_Company" title="Official Charts Company">OCC</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-UK_34-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-UK-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">14 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">US <a href="/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100" title="Billboard Hot 100"><i>Billboard</i> Hot 100</a><sup id="cite_ref-sc_Billboardhot100_The_Temptations_35-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Billboardhot100_The_Temptations-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>35<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">1 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">US <a href="/wiki/Hot_R%26B/Hip-Hop_Songs" title="Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">Best Selling Soul Singles</a> (<i><a href="/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" title="Billboard (magazine)">Billboard</a></i>)<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-36"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>36<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td align="center">5 </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Remix_version">Remix version</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Remix version"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <table class="wikitable plainrowheaders"> <caption>1987 weekly chart performance for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (remix) by the Temptations </caption> <tbody><tr> <th scope="col">Chart (1987) </th> <th scope="col">Peak<br />position </th></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">UK (<a href="/wiki/Official_Charts_Company" title="Official Charts Company">Official Charts Company</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-UK_34-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-UK-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">31 </td></tr></tbody></table> <table class="wikitable plainrowheaders"> <caption>2010 weekly chart performance for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (remix) by the Temptations </caption> <tbody><tr> <th scope="col">Chart (2010) </th> <th scope="col">Peak<br />position </th></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Belgium (<a href="/wiki/Ultratop_50" class="mw-redirect" title="Ultratop 50">Ultratop 50 Back Catalogue Singles</a> Wallonia)<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td align="center">19 </td></tr></tbody></table> </td> <td class="col-break col-break-2"> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Was_(Not_Was)_version"><span id="Was_.28Not_Was.29_version"></span>Was (Not Was) version</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Was (Not Was) version"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <table class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"> <caption>Weekly chart performance for "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by Was (Not Was) </caption> <tbody><tr> <th scope="col">Chart (1990) </th> <th scope="col">Peak<br />position </th></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Australia (<a href="/wiki/ARIA_Charts" title="ARIA Charts">ARIA</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">75 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Austria (<a href="/wiki/%C3%963_Austria_Top_40" title="Ö3 Austria Top 40">Ö3 Austria Top 40</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Austria_Was_(Not_Was)_39-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Austria_Was_(Not_Was)-39"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">15 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Belgium (<a href="/wiki/Ultratop" title="Ultratop">Ultratop 50</a> Flanders)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Flanders_Was_(Not_Was)_40-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Flanders_Was_(Not_Was)-40"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>40<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">40 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Canada <a href="/wiki/RPM_(magazine)" title="RPM (magazine)"><i>RPM</i> Top Singles</a><sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>41<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">57 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row"><a href="/wiki/Irish_Singles_Chart" title="Irish Singles Chart">Irish Singles Chart</a><sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>42<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">11 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Netherlands (<a href="/wiki/Dutch_Top_40" title="Dutch Top 40">Dutch Top 40</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Dutch40_Was_Not_Was_43-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Dutch40_Was_Not_Was-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>43<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">13 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Netherlands (<a href="/wiki/Dutch_Single_Top_100" title="Dutch Single Top 100">Single Top 100</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Dutch100_Was_(Not_Was)_44-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Dutch100_Was_(Not_Was)-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">14 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">New Zealand (<a href="/wiki/Recorded_Music_NZ" title="Recorded Music NZ">Recorded Music NZ</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_New_Zealand_Was_(Not_Was)_45-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_New_Zealand_Was_(Not_Was)-45"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">22 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Switzerland (<a href="/wiki/Swiss_Hitparade" title="Swiss Hitparade">Schweizer Hitparade</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-sc_Swiss_Was_(Not_Was)_46-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sc_Swiss_Was_(Not_Was)-46"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>46<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">6 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">UK (<a href="/wiki/Official_Charts_Company" title="Official Charts Company">Official Charts Company</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-UK2_16-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-UK2-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">12 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">US <i>Billboard</i> <a href="/wiki/Hot_Dance_Club_Songs" class="mw-redirect" title="Hot Dance Club Songs">Hot Dance Club Play</a><sup id="cite_ref-awards2_47-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-awards2-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">10 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">US <i>Billboard</i> <a href="/wiki/Dance/Electronic_Singles_Sales" class="mw-redirect" title="Dance/Electronic Singles Sales">Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales</a><sup id="cite_ref-awards2_47-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-awards2-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">43 </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">US <i>Billboard</i> <a href="/wiki/Hot_R%26B/Hip-Hop_Songs" title="Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles</a><sup id="cite_ref-awards2_47-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-awards2-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td style="text-align:center;">60 </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>  </p> </td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Certifications">Certifications</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Certifications"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <table class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"> <caption>Certifications for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" by the Temptations </caption> <tbody><tr> <th scope="col">Region </th> <th scope="col">Certification</th> <th scope="col" data-sort-type="number"><a href="/wiki/List_of_music_recording_certifications" title="List of music recording certifications">Certified units</a>/sales </th></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">United Kingdom (<a href="/wiki/British_Phonographic_Industry" title="British Phonographic Industry">BPI</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-United_KingdomTemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef_48-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-United_KingdomTemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef-48"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>48<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td>Silver </td> <td>200,000<sup>‡</sup> </td></tr> <tr> <th scope="row">United States (<a href="/wiki/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America" title="Recording Industry Association of America">RIAA</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-United_StatesThe_TemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef_49-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-United_StatesThe_TemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <td>Platinum </td> <td>1,000,000<sup>^</sup> </td></tr> <tr class="sortbottom" style="text-align: center;"> <td colspan="3"> <p><small><sup>^</sup> Shipments figures based on certification alone.</small><br /><small><sup>‡</sup> Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.</small> </p> </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/A_rolling_stone_gathers_no_moss" title="A rolling stone gathers no moss">A rolling stone gathers no moss</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFDimery2011" class="citation book cs1">Dimery, Robert (2011). Hachette UK (ed.). <i>1001 Songs: You Must Hear Before You Die</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=1001+Songs%3A+You+Must+Hear+Before+You+Die&rft.date=2011&rft.aulast=Dimery&rft.aufirst=Robert&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span> "this seven-minute single (a U.S. No. 1) and its near-twelve-minute album version remain the apex of the psychedelic soul era."</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFClifford" class="citation web cs1">Clifford, Tyler. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121021072143/http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/local-legendary-motown-sound-trumpeter-maurice-davis-dies-at-the-age-of-71">"Local legendary Motown Sound trumpeter Maurice Davis dies at the age of 71"</a>. <i>Wxyz.com</i>. The E.W. Scripps Co. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/local-legendary-motown-sound-trumpeter-maurice-davis-dies-at-the-age-of-71">the original</a> on October 21, 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 16,</span> 2013</span>. <q>Maurice Davis was involved in producer Norman Whitfield's transition of the Motown Sound into a psychedelic soul label. Whitfield placed much emphasize [sic] 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.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Wxyz.com&rft.atitle=Local+legendary+Motown+Sound+trumpeter+Maurice+Davis+dies+at+the+age+of+71&rft.aulast=Clifford&rft.aufirst=Tyler&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wxyz.com%2Fdpp%2Fnews%2Fregion%2Fdetroit%2Flocal-legendary-motown-sound-trumpeter-maurice-davis-dies-at-the-age-of-71&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_rb-funk.html">"100 Greatest Funk Songs"</a>. <i>Digital Dream Door</i>. August 7, 2008. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100925122615/https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_rb-funk.html">Archived</a> from the original on September 25, 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 7,</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Digital+Dream+Door&rft.atitle=100+Greatest+Funk+Songs&rft.date=2008-08-07&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldreamdoor.com%2Fpages%2Fbest_rb-funk.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-full-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-full_4-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-full_4-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVI-W3bhL1w">The Temptations - Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (Vinyl) <i>(full version)</i> @YouTube.com</a> Retrieved June 19, 2020.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/psychedelic-soul-mw0000036028">Psychedelic Soul - The Temptations @AllMusic.com</a> Retrieved June 19, 2020.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-R-232-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-R-232_6-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-R-232_6-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-R-232_6-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Ribowsky, Mark (2010). <i>Ain't Too Proud to Beg: The Troubled Lives and Enduring Soul of the Temptations</i>. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-470-26117-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-470-26117-0">978-0-470-26117-0</a>. p. 232</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Watson-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Watson_7-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Watson_7-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.wahwah.com/history">"A brief history of Wah Wah Watson"</a>. Wah Wah Watson Music<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 17,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=A+brief+history+of+Wah+Wah+Watson&rft.pub=Wah+Wah+Watson+Music.&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wahwah.com%2Fhistory&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Warren-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Warren_8-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Warren_8-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://thepaulwarrenproject.com/about/">"About"</a>. The Paul Warren Project<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 7,</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=About&rft.pub=The+Paul+Warren+Project&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fthepaulwarrenproject.com%2Fabout%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#p">https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#p</a> <sup class="noprint Inline-Template" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Bare_URLs" title="Wikipedia:Bare URLs"><span title="A full citation is required to prevent link rot. (August 2024)">bare URL</span></a></i>]</sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-10">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKelefa_Sanneh2021" class="citation book cs1">Kelefa Sanneh (2021). <i>Major Labels</i>. Canongate. p. 98. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781838855932" title="Special:BookSources/9781838855932"><bdi>9781838855932</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Major+Labels&rft.pages=98&rft.pub=Canongate&rft.date=2021&rft.isbn=9781838855932&rft.au=Kelefa+Sanneh&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTom_Breihan2019" class="citation web cs1">Tom Breihan (March 14, 2019). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.stereogum.com/2035527/the-number-ones-the-temptations-papa-was-a-rollin-stone/columns/the-number-ones/">"The Number Ones: The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i>Stereogum</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Stereogum&rft.atitle=The+Number+Ones%3A+The+Temptations%27+%22Papa+Was+A+Rollin%27+Stone%22&rft.date=2019-03-14&rft.au=Tom+Breihan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stereogum.com%2F2035527%2Fthe-number-ones-the-temptations-papa-was-a-rollin-stone%2Fcolumns%2Fthe-number-ones%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-wolfer-mn0000080681/credits">"Bill Wolfer | Credits"</a>. <i>AllMusic</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=AllMusic&rft.atitle=Bill+Wolfer+%26%23124%3B+Credits&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2Fartist%2Fbill-wolfer-mn0000080681%2Fcredits&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/wolf-mw0000859449">"Wolf - Bill Wolfer | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic"</a> – via www.allmusic.com.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Wolf+-+Bill+Wolfer+%26%23124%3B+Songs%2C+Reviews%2C+Credits+%26%23124%3B+AllMusic&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2Falbum%2Fwolf-mw0000859449&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1983-01-15">"Music: Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart"</a>. <i>Billboard.com</i>. January 15, 1983<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 7,</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Billboard.com&rft.atitle=Music%3A+Top+100+Songs+%26%23124%3B+Billboard+Hot+100+Chart&rft.date=1983-01-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fcharts%2Fhot-100%2F1983-01-15&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-15">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHalsteadChris_Cadman2003" class="citation book cs1">Halstead, Craig; Chris Cadman (2003). <i><a href="/wiki/Michael_Jackson" title="Michael Jackson">Michael Jackson</a>: The Solo Years</i>. Authors OnLine. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/075520091-8" title="Special:BookSources/075520091-8"><bdi>075520091-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Michael+Jackson%3A+The+Solo+Years&rft.pub=Authors+OnLine&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=075520091-8&rft.aulast=Halstead&rft.aufirst=Craig&rft.au=Chris+Cadman&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-UK2-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-UK2_16-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-UK2_16-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19900603/7501/">"1990 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive - 9th June 1990"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Official_Charts_Company" title="Official Charts Company">Official Charts Company</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 16,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=1990+Top+40+Official+UK+Singles+Archive+-+9th+June+1990&rft.pub=Official+Charts+Company&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.officialcharts.com%2Fcharts%2Fsingles-chart%2F19900603%2F7501%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFGrow2024" class="citation magazine cs1">Grow, Kory (May 17, 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/slash-demi-lovato-papa-was-a-rolling-stone-1235022877/">"Demi Lovato Dives Deeper Into Rock With Slash on Temptations' 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' Cover"</a>. <i>Rolling Stone</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">May 17,</span> 2024</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Rolling+Stone&rft.atitle=Demi+Lovato+Dives+Deeper+Into+Rock+With+Slash+on+Temptations%27+%27Papa+Was+a+Rolling+Stone%27+Cover&rft.date=2024-05-17&rft.aulast=Grow&rft.aufirst=Kory&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollingstone.com%2Fmusic%2Fmusic-news%2Fslash-demi-lovato-papa-was-a-rolling-stone-1235022877%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Myers, Marc (2018). "Hopelessness and Hope in 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone'." <i>Wall Street Journal</i>, 18 October 2018.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-19">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://tidal.com/browse/artist/4221654">Johnny Griffith on <i>Tidal</i></a> Retrieved December 12, 2021.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-20">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.bobbabbitt.com/smf/index.php?topic=234.0">"Papa was a rollin' stone - Who plays the bassline?" (response from Bob Babbitt himself) 28 August 2008 @bobbabbitt.com</a> Bob Babbitt: "Hey Guys.....The Undisputed Truth version was yours truly....I had first been told that the Temptations version was Leroy Taylor but then Eddie Watkins name was also mentioned to me.. Recently Wah Wah Watkins  [<i>sic</i>] and I had a discussion about the Papa Was a Rolling Stone session and he told me that Jamerson and myself were both on the session but when producer Norman Whitfield asked Jamerson to just keep reapting  [<i>sic</i>] the Bass line that Jamerson got up and walked out of the session...Wah Wah said that Norman ahd  [<i>sic</i>] me play the line..." Retrieved December 12, 2021.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-21">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://theneedlefish.com/2021/08/28/song-of-the-day-the-temptations-papa-was-a-rollin-stone/">Song of the Day: The Temptations - Papa Was a Rollin' Stone @theneedlefish.com (28 August 2021).</a> Retrieved December 12, 2021.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-22">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://theroanoketribune.org/the-music-legacy-of-leroy-r-taylor-jr/">The Music Legacy of Leroy R. Taylor, Jr. <i>The Roanoke Tribune</i>, 13 February 2020.</a> Retrieved December 12, 2021.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-23">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190629121333/https://www.bassplayer.com/artists/secrets-of-the-motown-vault">https://web.archive.org/web/20190629121333/https://www.bassplayer.com/artists/secrets-of-the-motown-vault</a> <sup class="noprint Inline-Template" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Bare_URLs" title="Wikipedia:Bare URLs"><span title="A full citation is required to prevent link rot. (August 2024)">bare URL</span></a></i>]</sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/01-09-17-aaron-a-train-smith-drummer-with-the-temptations/id1095824845?i=1000379784000">"01/09/17 Aaron "A-Train" Smith, Drummer with The Temptations", <i>Jackie's Groove</i> (Apple Podcast), 09 January 2017.</a> Retrieved December 12, 2021.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKent1993" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/David_Kent_(historian)" title="David Kent (historian)">Kent, David</a> (1993). <i><a href="/wiki/Kent_Music_Report" title="Kent Music Report">Australian Chart Book 1970-1992</a></i>. <a href="/wiki/St_Ives,_New_South_Wales" title="St Ives, New South Wales">St Ives</a>, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-646-11917-6" title="Special:BookSources/0-646-11917-6"><bdi>0-646-11917-6</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Australian+Chart+Book+1970-1992&rft.place=St+Ives%2C+N.S.W.&rft.pub=Australian+Chart+Book&rft.date=1993&rft.isbn=0-646-11917-6&rft.aulast=Kent&rft.aufirst=David&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Flanders_The_Temptations-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Flanders_The_Temptations_26-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Temptations&titel=Papa+Was+A+Rollin'+Stone&cat=s">The Temptations – Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"</a> (in Dutch). <a href="/wiki/Ultratop" title="Ultratop">Ultratop 50</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Canadatopsingles_The_Temptations-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Canadatopsingles_The_Temptations_27-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4234&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4234.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4234">Top RPM Singles: Issue 4234</a>." <i><a href="/wiki/RPM_(magazine)" title="RPM (magazine)">RPM</a></i>. <a href="/wiki/Library_and_Archives_Canada" title="Library and Archives Canada">Library and Archives Canada</a>. Retrieved June 16, 2013.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-28">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130920092618/http://infodisc.fr/Bilan_T.php">"Papa was a rollin' stone in French Chart"</a>. Dominic DURAND / InfoDisc. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.infodisc.fr/Bilan_T.php">the original</a> on September 20, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 16,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Papa+was+a+rollin%27+stone+in+French+Chart&rft.pub=Dominic+DURAND+%2F+InfoDisc&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infodisc.fr%2FBilan_T.php&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span> You have to use the index at the top of the page and search "Temptations"</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Germany_The_Temptations-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Germany_The_Temptations_29-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-22211">The Temptations – Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"</a> (in German). <a href="/wiki/GfK_Entertainment_charts" title="GfK Entertainment charts">GfK Entertainment charts</a>. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON The Temptations" </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Dutch40_The_Temptations-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Dutch40_The_Temptations_30-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.top40.nl/top40-artiesten/The-Temptations">Nederlandse Top 40 – The Temptations"</a> (in Dutch). <a href="/wiki/Dutch_Top_40" title="Dutch Top 40">Dutch Top 40</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Dutch100_The_Temptations-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Dutch100_The_Temptations_31-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Temptations&titel=Papa+Was+A+Rollin'+Stone&cat=s">The Temptations – Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"</a> (in Dutch). <a href="/wiki/Dutch_Single_Top_100" title="Dutch Single Top 100">Single Top 100</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-32">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=455#n_view_location">Flavour of New Zealand, 12 February 1973</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSamson" class="citation web cs1">Samson, John. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(T).html">"Papa was a rollin' stone in South African Chart"</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 6,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Papa+was+a+rollin%27+stone+in+South+African+Chart&rft.aulast=Samson&rft.aufirst=John&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rock.co.za%2Ffiles%2Fspringbok_top_20_%28T%29.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-UK-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-UK_34-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-UK_34-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/11683/Temptations">"Temptations: Artist Chart History"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Official_Charts_Company" title="Official Charts Company">Official Charts Company</a>. Retrieved June 16, 2013.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Billboardhot100_The_Temptations-35"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Billboardhot100_The_Temptations_35-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.billboard.com/artist/The-Temptations/chart-history/HSI">"The Temptations Chart History (Hot 100)"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" title="Billboard (magazine)"><i>Billboard</i></a>. Retrieved December 20, 2020.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-36">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation magazine cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-temptations/chart-history/bsi/">"The Temptations Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" title="Billboard (magazine)">Billboard</a></i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">December 20,</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Billboard&rft.atitle=The+Temptations+Chart+History+%28Hot+R%26B%2FHip-Hop+Songs%29&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fartist%2Fthe-temptations%2Fchart-history%2Fbsi%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-37"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-37">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ultratop.be/nl/weekchart.asp?cat=sb&year=2009&date=20090207">"50 Back Catalogue Singles – 7 February 2009"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Ultratop_50" class="mw-redirect" title="Ultratop 50">Ultratop 50</a></i>. Hung Medien<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 17,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Ultratop+50&rft.atitle=50+Back+Catalogue+Singles+%E2%80%93+7+February+2009&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ultratop.be%2Fnl%2Fweekchart.asp%3Fcat%3Dsb%26year%3D2009%26date%3D20090207&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRyan2011" class="citation book cs1">Ryan, Gavin (2011). <i>Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010</i> (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 297.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Australia%27s+Music+Charts+1988%E2%80%932010&rft.place=Mt+Martha%2C+Victoria%2C+Australia&rft.pages=297&rft.edition=PDF&rft.pub=Moonlight+Publishing&rft.date=2011&rft.aulast=Ryan&rft.aufirst=Gavin&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Austria_Was_(Not_Was)-39"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Austria_Was_(Not_Was)_39-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Was+(Not+Was)&titel=Papa+Was+A+Rolling+Stone&cat=s">Was (Not Was) – Papa Was A Rolling Stone"</a> (in German). <a href="/wiki/%C3%963_Austria_Top_40" title="Ö3 Austria Top 40">Ö3 Austria Top 40</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Flanders_Was_(Not_Was)-40"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Flanders_Was_(Not_Was)_40-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Was+(Not+Was)&titel=Papa+Was+A+Rolling+Stone&cat=s">Was (Not Was) – Papa Was A Rolling Stone"</a> (in Dutch). <a href="/wiki/Ultratop" title="Ultratop">Ultratop 50</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-41"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-41">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.1286.pdf">"Papa was a rolling stone in Canadian Top Singles Chart"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. Library and Archives Canada<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 16,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Papa+was+a+rolling+stone+in+Canadian+Top+Singles+Chart&rft.pub=Library+and+Archives+Canada&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Fobj%2F028020%2Ff2%2Fnlc008388.1286.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-42"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-42">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement">"Papa was a rolling stone in Irish Chart"</a>. IRMA<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 16,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Papa+was+a+rolling+stone+in+Irish+Chart&rft.pub=IRMA&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishcharts.ie%2Fsearch%2Fplacement&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span> Only one result when searching "Papa was a rolling stone"</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Dutch40_Was_Not_Was-43"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Dutch40_Was_Not_Was_43-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.top40.nl/top40-artiesten/Was-Not-Was">Nederlandse Top 40 – Was Not Was"</a> (in Dutch). <a href="/wiki/Dutch_Top_40" title="Dutch Top 40">Dutch Top 40</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Dutch100_Was_(Not_Was)-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Dutch100_Was_(Not_Was)_44-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Was+(Not+Was)&titel=Papa+Was+A+Rolling+Stone&cat=s">Was (Not Was) – Papa Was A Rolling Stone"</a> (in Dutch). <a href="/wiki/Dutch_Single_Top_100" title="Dutch Single Top 100">Single Top 100</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_New_Zealand_Was_(Not_Was)-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_New_Zealand_Was_(Not_Was)_45-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Was+(Not+Was)&titel=Papa+Was+A+Rolling+Stone&cat=s">Was (Not Was) – Papa Was A Rolling Stone"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Official_New_Zealand_Music_Chart" title="Official New Zealand Music Chart">Top 40 Singles</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-sc_Swiss_Was_(Not_Was)-46"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sc_Swiss_Was_(Not_Was)_46-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Was+(Not+Was)&titel=Papa+Was+A+Rolling+Stone&cat=s">Was (Not Was) – Papa Was A Rolling Stone"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Swiss_Hitparade" title="Swiss Hitparade">Swiss Singles Chart</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-awards2-47"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-awards2_47-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-awards2_47-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-awards2_47-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.allmusic.com/album/are-you-okay-mw0000307870/awards">"Are You Okay? awards on AllMusic"</a>. AllMusic<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 16,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Are+You+Okay%3F+awards+on+AllMusic&rft.pub=AllMusic&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2Falbum%2Fare-you-okay-mw0000307870%2Fawards&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-United_KingdomTemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef-48"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-United_KingdomTemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef_48-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/17442-2994-1">"British single certifications – Temptations – Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"</a>. <a href="/wiki/British_Phonographic_Industry" title="British Phonographic Industry">British Phonographic Industry</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">August 20,</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=British+single+certifications+%E2%80%93+Temptations+%E2%80%93+Papa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone&rft.pub=British+Phonographic+Industry&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bpi.co.uk%2Faward%2F17442-2994-1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-United_StatesThe_TemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef-49"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-United_StatesThe_TemptationsPapa_Was_a_Rollin'_StonesingleCertRef_49-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=The+Temptations&ti=Papa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone&format=Single&type=#search_section">"American single certifications – The Temptations – Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America" title="Recording Industry Association of America">Recording Industry Association of America</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">August 20,</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=American+single+certifications+%E2%80%93+The+Temptations+%E2%80%93+Papa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone&rft.pub=Recording+Industry+Association+of+America&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.riaa.com%2Fgold-platinum%2F%3Ftab_active%3Ddefault-award%26ar%3DThe%2BTemptations%26ti%3DPapa%2BWas%2Ba%2BRollin%2527%2BStone%26format%3DSingle%26type%3D%23search_section&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APapa+Was+a+Rollin%27+Stone" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Papa_Was_a_Rollin%27_Stone&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXiQtD5gcHU"><span class="plainlinks">The Temptations Papa Was A Rolling Stone 1972 Single Version</span></a> on <a href="/wiki/YouTube_video_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="YouTube video (identifier)">YouTube</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://secondhandsongs.com/work/52851/versions">List of cover versions of ”Papa Was a Rollin' Stone”</a> at SecondHandSongs.com</li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236075235">.mw-parser-output .navbox{box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:100%;clear:both;font-size:88%;text-align:center;padding:1px;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbox{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox-styles+.navbox{margin-top:-1px}.mw-parser-output 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style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks vcard hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239400231">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini 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title="David Ruffin">David Ruffin</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dennis_Edwards" title="Dennis Edwards">Dennis Edwards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ricky_Owens" class="mw-redirect" title="Ricky Owens">Ricky Owens</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Richard_Street" title="Richard Street">Richard Street</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Damon_Harris" title="Damon Harris">Damon Harris</a></li> <li>Glenn Leonard</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Louis_Price" title="Louis Price">Louis Price</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ali-Ollie_Woodson" title="Ali-Ollie Woodson">Ali-Ollie Woodson</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Theo_Peoples" title="Theo Peoples">Theo Peoples</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Harry_McGilberry" title="Harry McGilberry">Harry McGilberry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Barrington_%22Bo%22_Henderson" title="Barrington "Bo" Henderson">Barrington "Bo" Henderson</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ray_Davis_(musician)" title="Ray Davis (musician)">Ray Davis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/G._C._Cameron" title="G. C. Cameron">G. C. Cameron</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Joe_Herndon" title="Joe Herndon">Joe Herndon</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bruce_Williamson_(singer)" title="Bruce Williamson (singer)">Bruce Williamson</a></li> <li>Larry Braggs</li> <li>Willie Green</li> <li>Mario Corbino</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Studio albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Meet_the_Temptations" title="Meet the Temptations">Meet the Temptations</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_Sing_Smokey" title="The Temptations Sing Smokey">The Temptations Sing Smokey</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptin%27_Temptations" title="The Temptin' Temptations">The Temptin' Temptations</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Gettin%27_Ready" title="Gettin' Ready">Gettin' Ready</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_with_a_Lot_o%27_Soul" title="The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul">The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_Wish_It_Would_Rain" title="The Temptations Wish It Would Rain">The Temptations Wish It Would Rain</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Cloud_Nine_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Cloud Nine (The Temptations album)">Cloud Nine</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Puzzle_People" title="Puzzle People">Puzzle People</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Psychedelic_Shack" title="Psychedelic Shack">Psychedelic Shack</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Sky%27s_the_Limit_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Sky's the Limit (The Temptations album)">Sky's the Limit</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Solid_Rock_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Solid Rock (The Temptations album)">Solid Rock</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/All_Directions" title="All Directions">All Directions</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Masterpiece_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Masterpiece (The Temptations album)">Masterpiece</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/1990_(The_Temptations_album)" title="1990 (The Temptations album)">1990</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/A_Song_for_You_(The_Temptations_album)" title="A Song for You (The Temptations album)">A Song for You</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/House_Party_(The_Temptations_album)" title="House Party (The Temptations album)">House Party</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Wings_of_Love_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Wings of Love (The Temptations album)">Wings of Love</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_Do_the_Temptations" class="mw-redirect" title="The Temptations Do the Temptations">The Temptations Do the Temptations</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Hear_to_Tempt_You" title="Hear to Tempt You">Hear to Tempt You</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Bare_Back" title="Bare Back">Bare Back</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Power_(Temptations_album)" title="Power (Temptations album)">Power</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_(1981_album)" title="The Temptations (1981 album)">The Temptations</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Reunion_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Reunion (The Temptations album)">Reunion</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Surface_Thrills" title="Surface Thrills">Surface Thrills</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Back_to_Basics_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Back to Basics (The Temptations album)">Back to Basics</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Truly_for_You" title="Truly for You">Truly for You</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Touch_Me_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Touch Me (The Temptations album)">Touch Me</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/To_Be_Continued..._(The_Temptations_album)" title="To Be Continued... (The Temptations album)">To Be Continued...</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Together_Again_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Together Again (The Temptations album)">Together Again</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Special_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Special (The Temptations album)">Special</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Milestone_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Milestone (The Temptations album)">Milestone</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Phoenix_Rising_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Phoenix Rising (The Temptations album)">Phoenix Rising</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Ear-Resistible" title="Ear-Resistible">Ear-Resistible</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Awesome_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Awesome (The Temptations album)">Awesome</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Legacy_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Legacy (The Temptations album)">Legacy</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Still_Here_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Still Here (The Temptations album)">Still Here</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Temptations_60" title="Temptations 60">Temptations 60</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Cover albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_in_a_Mellow_Mood" title="The Temptations in a Mellow Mood">The Temptations in a Mellow Mood</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/For_Lovers_Only_(The_Temptations_album)" title="For Lovers Only (The Temptations album)">For Lovers Only</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Reflections_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Reflections (The Temptations album)">Reflections</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Back_to_Front_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Back to Front (The Temptations album)">Back to Front</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/All_the_Time_(The_Temptations_album)" title="All the Time (The Temptations album)">All the Time</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Live albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Temptations_Live!" title="Temptations Live!">Temptations Live!</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Live_at_the_Copa_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Live at the Copa (The Temptations album)">Live at the Copa</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Live_at_London%27s_Talk_of_the_Town_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Live at London's Talk of the Town (The Temptations album)">Live at London's Talk of the Town</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_in_Japan" title="The Temptations in Japan">The Temptations in Japan</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Other albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Diana_Ross_%26_the_Supremes_Join_the_Temptations" title="Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations">Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/TCB_(TV_program)" title="TCB (TV program)">TCB</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_Show" title="The Temptations Show">The Temptations Show</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Together_(The_Supremes_and_the_Temptations_album)" title="Together (The Supremes and the Temptations album)">Together</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/G.I.T._on_Broadway" title="G.I.T. on Broadway">On Broadway</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_Christmas_Card" title="The Temptations Christmas Card">The Temptations Christmas Card</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Give_Love_at_Christmas" title="Give Love at Christmas">Give Love at Christmas</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Lost_and_Found:_You%27ve_Got_to_Earn_It_(1962%E2%80%931968)" title="Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968)">Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968)</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Compilations</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Greatest_Hits_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Greatest Hits (The Temptations album)">Greatest Hits</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Greatest_Hits_II_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Greatest Hits II (The Temptations album)">Greatest Hits II</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Anthology_(The_Temptations_album)" title="Anthology (The Temptations album)">Anthology</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Emperors_of_Soul" title="Emperors of Soul">Emperors of Soul</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Ultimate_Collection_(The_Temptations_album)" title="The Ultimate Collection (The Temptations album)">The Ultimate Collection</a></i></li> <li><i>My Girl: The Very Best of the Temptations</i></li> <li><i>Psychedelic Soul</i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Singles<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(US/UK Top 10)</span></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/My_Girl_(The_Temptations_song)" title="My Girl (The Temptations song)">My Girl</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Get_Ready_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Get Ready (The Temptations song)">Get Ready</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Ain%27t_Too_Proud_to_Beg" title="Ain't Too Proud to Beg">Ain't Too Proud to Beg</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Beauty_Is_Only_Skin_Deep" title="Beauty Is Only Skin Deep">Beauty Is Only Skin Deep</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/(I_Know)_I%27m_Losing_You" title="(I Know) I'm Losing You">(I Know) I'm Losing You</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/All_I_Need_(The_Temptations_song)" title="All I Need (The Temptations song)">All I Need</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/You%27re_My_Everything_(The_Temptations_song)" title="You're My Everything (The Temptations song)">You're My Everything</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Wish_It_Would_Rain" title="I Wish It Would Rain">I Wish It Would Rain</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Could_Never_Love_Another_(After_Loving_You)" title="I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)">I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Cloud_Nine_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Cloud Nine (The Temptations song)">Cloud Nine</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I%27m_Gonna_Make_You_Love_Me" title="I'm Gonna Make You Love Me">I'm Gonna Make You Love Me</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Runaway_Child,_Running_Wild" title="Runaway Child, Running Wild">Run Away Child, Running Wild</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Can%27t_Get_Next_to_You" title="I Can't Get Next to You">I Can't Get Next to You</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Psychedelic_Shack_(song)" title="Psychedelic Shack (song)">Psychedelic Shack</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Ball_of_Confusion_(That%27s_What_the_World_Is_Today)" title="Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)">Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Just_My_Imagination_(Running_Away_with_Me)" title="Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)">Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)</a>"</li> <li>"<a class="mw-selflink selflink">Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Masterpiece_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Masterpiece (The Temptations song)">Masterpiece</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Let_Your_Hair_Down_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Let Your Hair Down (The Temptations song)">Let Your Hair Down</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Happy_People_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Happy People (The Temptations song)">Happy People</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Shakey_Ground" title="Shakey Ground">Shakey Ground</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Treat_Her_Like_a_Lady_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Treat Her Like a Lady (The Temptations song)">Treat Her Like a Lady</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/The_Motown_Song" title="The Motown Song">The Motown Song</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/My_Girl_(The_Temptations_song)" title="My Girl (The Temptations song)">My Girl</a>" (reissue)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Related</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_the_Temptations_band_members" title="List of the Temptations band members">Band members</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_(miniseries)" title="The Temptations (miniseries)"><i>The Temptations</i> (miniseries)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ain%27t_Too_Proud" title="Ain't Too Proud"><i>Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations</i></a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_discography" title="The Temptations discography">Discography</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/The_Supremes" title="The Supremes">The Supremes</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth" title="The Undisputed Truth">The Undisputed Truth</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Smokey_Robinson" title="Smokey Robinson">Smokey Robinson</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Norman_Whitfield" title="Norman Whitfield">Norman Whitfield</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Barrett_Strong" title="Barrett Strong">Barrett Strong</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sly_Stone" title="Sly Stone">Sly Stone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/George_Clinton_(funk_musician)" title="George Clinton (funk musician)">George Clinton</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Category"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/23px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/31px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Category:The_Temptations" title="Category:The Temptations">Category</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1256394678"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox navbox-musical-artist navbox-musical-artist-group" aria-labelledby="The_Temptations_singles_discography" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks vcard mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:The_Temptations_singles" title="Template:The Temptations singles"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:The_Temptations_singles" title="Template talk:The Temptations singles"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:The_Temptations_singles" title="Special:EditPage/Template:The Temptations singles"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="The_Temptations_singles_discography" class="fn org" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations" title="The Temptations">The Temptations</a> singles <a href="/wiki/The_Temptations_discography" title="The Temptations discography">discography</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">1960s</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/Oh_Mother_of_Mine" title="Oh Mother of Mine">Oh Mother of Mine</a>" (1961)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Check_Yourself" title="Check Yourself">Check Yourself</a>" (1961)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/(You%27re_My)_Dream_Come_True" title="(You're My) Dream Come True">(You're My) Dream Come True</a>" (1962)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Paradise_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Paradise (The Temptations song)">Paradise</a>" (1962)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Want_a_Love_I_Can_See" title="I Want a Love I Can See">I Want a Love I Can See</a>" (1963)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Farewell_My_Love" title="Farewell My Love">Farewell My Love</a>" (1963)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/The_Way_You_Do_the_Things_You_Do" title="The Way You Do the Things You Do">The Way You Do the Things You Do</a>" (1964)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I%27ll_Be_in_Trouble" title="I'll Be in Trouble">I'll Be in Trouble</a>" (1964) / "<a href="/wiki/The_Girl%27s_Alright_with_Me" title="The Girl's Alright with Me">The Girl's Alright with Me</a>" (1964)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Girl_(Why_You_Wanna_Make_Me_Blue)" title="Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)">Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)</a>" (1964)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/My_Girl_(The_Temptations_song)" title="My Girl (The Temptations song)">My Girl</a>" (1964)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/It%27s_Growing" title="It's Growing">It's Growing</a>" (1965)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Since_I_Lost_My_Baby" title="Since I Lost My Baby">Since I Lost My Baby</a>" (1965) / "<a href="/wiki/You%27ve_Got_to_Earn_It" title="You've Got to Earn It">You've Got to Earn It</a>" (1965)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/My_Baby_(The_Temptations_song)" title="My Baby (The Temptations song)">My Baby</a>" (1965) / "<a href="/wiki/Don%27t_Look_Back_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Don't Look Back (The Temptations song)">Don't Look Back</a>" (1965)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Get_Ready_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Get Ready (The Temptations song)">Get Ready</a>" (1966)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Ain%27t_Too_Proud_to_Beg" title="Ain't Too Proud to Beg">Ain't Too Proud to Beg</a>" (1966)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Beauty_Is_Only_Skin_Deep" title="Beauty Is Only Skin Deep">Beauty Is Only Skin Deep</a>" (1966)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/(I_Know)_I%27m_Losing_You" title="(I Know) I'm Losing You">(I Know) I'm Losing You</a>" (1966)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/All_I_Need_(The_Temptations_song)" title="All I Need (The Temptations song)">All I Need</a>" (1967)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/You%27re_My_Everything_(The_Temptations_song)" title="You're My Everything (The Temptations song)">You're My Everything</a>" (1967) / "<a href="/wiki/I%27ve_Been_Good_to_You" title="I've Been Good to You">I've Been Good to You</a>" (1967)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/(Loneliness_Made_Me_Realize)_It%27s_You_That_I_Need" title="(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need">(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need</a>" (1967)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Wish_It_Would_Rain" title="I Wish It Would Rain">I Wish It Would Rain</a>" (1968)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Could_Never_Love_Another_(After_Loving_You)" title="I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)">I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)</a>" (1968)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Please_Return_Your_Love_to_Me" title="Please Return Your Love to Me">Please Return Your Love to Me</a>" (1968)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Cloud_Nine_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Cloud Nine (The Temptations song)">Cloud Nine</a>" (1968)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer_(song)" class="mw-redirect" title="Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)">Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer</a>" (1968) / "<a href="/wiki/Silent_Night" title="Silent Night">Silent Night</a>" (1968)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I%27m_Gonna_Make_You_Love_Me" title="I'm Gonna Make You Love Me">I'm Gonna Make You Love Me</a>" (1969)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Runaway_Child,_Running_Wild" title="Runaway Child, Running Wild">Runaway Child, Running Wild</a>" (1969)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I%27ll_Try_Something_New_(song)" title="I'll Try Something New (song)">I'll Try Something New</a>" (1969)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Second_That_Emotion" title="I Second That Emotion">I Second That Emotion</a>" (1969)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Can%27t_Get_Next_to_You" title="I Can't Get Next to You">I Can't Get Next to You</a>" (1969)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/The_Weight" title="The Weight">The Weight</a>" (1969)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">1970s</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/Psychedelic_Shack_(song)" title="Psychedelic Shack (song)">Psychedelic Shack</a>" (1970)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Why_(Must_We_Fall_in_Love)" title="Why (Must We Fall in Love)">Why (Must We Fall in Love)</a>" (1970)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Ball_of_Confusion_(That%27s_What_the_World_Is_Today)" title="Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)">Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)</a>" (1970)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Just_My_Imagination_(Running_Away_with_Me)" title="Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)">Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)</a>" (1971)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Superstar_(Remember_How_You_Got_Where_You_Are)" title="Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)">Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)</a>" (1971)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Mother_Nature_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Mother Nature (The Temptations song)">Mother Nature</a>" (1972)</li> <li>"<a class="mw-selflink selflink">Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</a>" (1972)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Masterpiece_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Masterpiece (The Temptations song)">Masterpiece</a>" (1973)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Law_of_the_Land_(song)" title="Law of the Land (song)">Law of the Land</a>" (1973)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Let_Your_Hair_Down_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Let Your Hair Down (The Temptations song)">Let Your Hair Down</a>" (1973)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Happy_People_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Happy People (The Temptations song)">Happy People</a>" (1974)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Shakey_Ground" title="Shakey Ground">Shakey Ground</a>" (1975)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Glasshouse_(song)" title="Glasshouse (song)">Glasshouse</a>" (1975)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">1980s</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/Standing_on_the_Top" title="Standing on the Top">Standing On The Top - Pt. 1</a>" (1982)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Treat_Her_Like_a_Lady_(The_Temptations_song)" title="Treat Her Like a Lady (The Temptations song)">Treat Her Like a Lady</a>" (1984)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/My_Girl_(The_Temptations_song)" title="My Girl (The Temptations song)">My Girl</a>" <span style="font-size:85%;">(re-issue)</span> (1986)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Lady_Soul_(song)" title="Lady Soul (song)">Lady Soul</a>" (1986)</li> <li>"<a class="mw-selflink selflink">Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</a>" <span style="font-size:85%;">(re-issue)</span> (1987)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">1990s</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/The_Motown_Song" title="The Motown Song">The Motown Song</a>" (1991)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/My_Girl_(The_Temptations_song)" title="My Girl (The Temptations song)">My Girl</a>" <span style="font-size:85%;">(re-issue)</span> (1992)</li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1256394678"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox navbox-musical-artist navbox-musical-artist-group" aria-labelledby="The_Undisputed_Truth" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks vcard hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:The_Undisputed_Truth" title="Template:The Undisputed Truth"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:The_Undisputed_Truth" title="Template talk:The Undisputed Truth"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:The_Undisputed_Truth" title="Special:EditPage/Template:The Undisputed Truth"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="The_Undisputed_Truth" class="fn org" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth" title="The Undisputed Truth">The Undisputed Truth</a></div></th></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><b> Joe Harris </b></li> <li><b> Billie Rae Calvin </b></li> <li><b> Brenda Joyce Evans </b></li> <li><b> Virginia "V" McDonald </b></li> <li><b> Tyrone "Big Ty" Douglas </b></li> <li><b> Tyrone "Lil Ty" Barkeley </b></li> <li><b> Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson </b></li> <li><b> <a href="/wiki/Taka_Boom" title="Taka Boom">Taka Boom</a> </b></li> <li><b> <a href="/wiki/Lyrica_Garrett" title="Lyrica Garrett">Marcy Thomas</a> </b></li> <li><b> Melvin Stewart </b></li> <li><b> Lloyd Williams </b></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Studio albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth_(Undisputed_Truth_album)" class="mw-redirect" title="The Undisputed Truth (Undisputed Truth album)">The Undisputed Truth</a></i> (1971)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Face_to_Face_With_the_Truth" class="mw-redirect" title="Face to Face With the Truth">Face to Face With the Truth</a></i> (1972)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Law_of_the_Land_(album)" title="Law of the Land (album)">Law of the Land</a></i> (1973)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Down_to_Earth_(Undisputed_Truth_album)" class="mw-redirect" title="Down to Earth (Undisputed Truth album)">Down to Earth</a></i> (1974)</li> <li><i>Cosmic Truth</i> (1975)</li> <li><i>Higher Than High</i> (1975)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Method_to_the_Madness" class="mw-redirect" title="Method to the Madness">Method to the Madness</a></i> (1976)</li> <li><i>Smokin'</i> (1979)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Singles</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"Save My Love for a Rainy Day" (1971)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Smiling_Faces_Sometimes" title="Smiling Faces Sometimes">Smiling Faces Sometimes</a>" (1971)</li> <li>"You Make Your Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" (1971)</li> <li>"What It Is" (1972)</li> <li>"<a class="mw-selflink selflink">Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</a>" (1972)</li> <li>"Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1972)</li> <li>"Girl, You're Alright" (1972)</li> <li>"Mama, I Got a Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)" (1973)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Law_of_the_Land_(song)" title="Law of the Land (song)">Law of the Land</a>" (1973)</li> <li>"Help Yourself" (1974)</li> <li>"I'm a Fool for You" (1974)</li> <li>"Lil' Red Riding Hood" (1974)</li> <li>"UFOs" (1975)</li> <li>"Higher Than High" (1975)</li> <li>"Boogie Bump Boogie" (1975)</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/You_%2B_Me_%3D_Love" title="You + Me = Love">You + Me = Love</a>" (1976)</li> <li>"Let's Go Down to the Disco" (1976)</li> <li>"Sunshine" (1977)</li> <li>"Show Time" (1979)</li> <li>"I Can't Get Enough of Your Love" (1979)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Related articles</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Norman_Whitfield" title="Norman Whitfield">Norman Whitfield</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/The_Temptations" title="The Temptations">The Temptations</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1256394678"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox navbox-musical-artist navbox-musical-artist-group" aria-labelledby="Was_(Not_Was)" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks vcard hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Was_(Not_Was)" title="Template:Was (Not Was)"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Template_talk:Was_(Not_Was)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Template talk:Was (Not Was) (page does not exist)"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Was_(Not_Was)" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Was (Not Was)"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Was_(Not_Was)" class="fn org" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Was_(Not_Was)" title="Was (Not Was)">Was (Not Was)</a></div></th></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/David_Was" title="David Was">David Was</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Don_Was" title="Don Was">Don Was</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sweet_Pea_Atkinson" title="Sweet Pea Atkinson">Sweet Pea Atkinson</a></li> <li>Harry Bowens</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Studio albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Was_(Not_Was)_(album)" title="Was (Not Was) (album)">Was (Not Was)</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Born_to_Laugh_at_Tornadoes" title="Born to Laugh at Tornadoes">Born to Laugh at Tornadoes</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/What_Up,_Dog%3F" title="What Up, Dog?">What Up, Dog?</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Are_You_Okay%3F" title="Are You Okay?">Are You Okay?</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Boo!_(album)" title="Boo! (album)">Boo!</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Singles</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/Out_Come_the_Freaks" title="Out Come the Freaks">Out Come the Freaks</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Where_Did_Your_Heart_Go%3F" title="Where Did Your Heart Go?">Where Did Your Heart Go?</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Out_Come_the_Freaks" title="Out Come the Freaks">(Return to the Valley of) Out Come the Freaks</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Spy_in_the_House_of_Love_(song)" title="Spy in the House of Love (song)">Spy in the House of Love</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Walk_the_Dinosaur" title="Walk the Dinosaur">Walk the Dinosaur</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Out_Come_the_Freaks" title="Out Come the Freaks">Out Come the Freaks (Again)</a>"</li> <li>"<a class="mw-selflink selflink">Papa Was a Rollin' Stone</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Listen_Like_Thieves_(song)" title="Listen Like Thieves (song)">Listen Like Thieves</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Shake_Your_Head" title="Shake Your Head">Shake Your Head</a>"</li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1038841319">.mw-parser-output .tooltip-dotted{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox authority-control" aria-label="Navbox" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Help:Authority_control" title="Help:Authority control">Authority control databases</a> <span class="mw-valign-text-top noprint" 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