This is a listing of all of the singles and albums released by Motown singing group The Temptations. Thirty-seven of their singles reached the Billboard Top 40 in the US; four of them reached #1.
Singles
Otis Williams & The Siberians
- 1958: "Pecos Kid"
The Distants
- 1959: "Come On" (with The Andantes) (Northern Records)
- 1960: "Open Your Heart" (Northern Records)
The Temptations
1960s Motown releases
The following singles were released on Motown's Gordy label except for the following: "Oh Mother of Mine" and "Check Yourself" were released on Miracle, "Mind Over Matter (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)" was released on Mel-o-dy, and the three American-issued Supremes/Temptations duets were released on Motown. "I Second That Emotion" was released only in the United Kingdom on Tamla-Motown. Lead vocalists are identified for each of the following singles.
| Year | Song title | Lead Vocal | US chart | US R&B chart | UK chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | "Oh Mother of Mine" | Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks | |||
| 1961 | "Check Yourself" | Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin | |||
| 1962 | "Dream Come True" | Eddie Kendricks | 22 | ||
| 1962 | "Mind Over Matter (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)" (credited as The Pirates) |
Eddie Kendricks | |||
| 1962 | "Paradise" | Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin | |||
| 1963 | "I Want A Love I Can See" | Paul Williams | |||
| 1963 | "Farewell My Love" | Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Eddie Kendricks | |||
| 1964 | "The Way You Do The Things You Do" | Eddie Kendricks | 11 | n/c* | |
| 1964 | "I'll Be In Trouble" | Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin | 33 | n/c | |
| 1964 | "The Girl's Alright With Me" (b-side of "I'll Be In Trouble" ) |
Eddie Kendricks | 102 | n/c | |
| 1964 | "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" | Eddie Kendricks | 26 | n/c | |
| 1964 | "My Girl" | David Ruffin | 1 | 1 | |
| 1965 | "It's Growing" (additional background vocals by The Andantes) |
David Ruffin | 18 | 3 | |
| 1965 | "Since I Lost My Baby" | David Ruffin | 17 | 4 | |
| 1965 | "You've Got to Earn It" (b-side of "Since I Lost My Baby") |
Eddie Kendricks | 22 | ||
| 1965 | "My Baby" | David Ruffin | 13 | 4 | |
| 1965 | "Don’t Look Back" (b-side of "My Baby") |
Paul Williams | 83 | 15 | |
| 1966 | "Get Ready" | Eddie Kendricks | 29 | 1 | |
| 1966 | "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" | David Ruffin | 13 | 1 | |
| 1966 | "Beauty is Only Skin Deep" | David Ruffin | 3 | 1 | |
| 1966 | "(I Know) I'm Losing You" | David Ruffin | 8 | 1 | |
| 1967 | "All I Need" | David Ruffin | 8 | 2 | |
| 1967 | "You're My Everything" | Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin | 6 | 3 | |
| 1967 | "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need" | David Ruffin | 14 | 3 | |
| 1967 | "I Wish It Would Rain" | David Ruffin | 4 | 1 | |
| 1967 | "I Truly, Truly Believe" (b-side of "I Wish It Would Rain") |
Melvin Franklin | 116 | 41 | |
| 1968 | "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" | David Ruffin | 13 | 1 | |
| 1968 | "Please Return Your Love To Me" | Eddie Kendricks | 26 | 4 | |
| 1968 | "Cloud Nine" | Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin |
6 | 2 | |
| 1968 | "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" | Eddie Kendricks and Otis Williams | |||
| 1968 | "Silent Night" (b-side of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer") |
Eddie Kendricks | |||
| 1968 | "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations) |
Diana Ross and Eddie Kendricks (Spoken interlude by Otis Williams) |
2 | 2 | |
| 1969 | "Runaway Child, Running Wild" | Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin |
6 | 1 | |
| 1969 | "I'll Try Something New" (Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations) |
Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin | 25 | 8 | |
| 1969 | "Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down" | Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin |
20 | 2 | |
| 1969 | "I Second That Emotion" (U.K. only single) (Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations) |
Diana Ross and Eddie Kendricks | n/a | n/a | 19 |
| 1969 | "I Can't Get Next to You" | Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin |
1 | 1 | |
| 1969 | "The Weight" (Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations) |
Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams | 46 | 4 |
(*) There was no Billboard R&B Singles Chart from November 1963 to January 1965. When the chart was reinstated on January 30, 1965, The Temptations' "My Girl" was the first #1 hit on the new chart.
1970s Motown releases
The following singles were released on Motown's Gordy label except for "Why (Must We Fall in Love)" and "Law of the Land", released on Tamla-Motown in the United Kingdom. Lead vocalists are identified for each of the following singles.
| Year | Song title | Lead Vocal | US chart | US R&B chart | UK chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | "Psychedelic Shack" | Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin |
7 | 2 | |
| 1970 | "Why (Must We Fall in Love)" (U.K. only single) (Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations) |
Diana Ross and Eddie Kendricks | n/a | n/a | 31 |
| 1970 | "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" | Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin |
3 | 2 | |
| 1970 | "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World)" | Dennis Edwards and Melvin Franklin | 33 | 8 | |
| 1970 | "Hum Along and Dance" (b-side of "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World)") |
Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin |
|||
| 1971 | "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" | Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams | 1 | 1 | |
| 1971 | "It's Summer" | Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin | 51 | 29 | |
| 1971 | "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" | Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franlkin |
18 | 8 | |
| 1972 | "Take A Look Around" | Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, and Otis Williams |
30 | 10 | |
| 1972 | "Mother Nature" | Dennis Edwards | 92 | 27 | |
| 1972 | "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" (b-side of "Mother Nature") |
Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franlkin |
27 | ||
| 1972 | "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" | Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, and Melvin Franlkin |
1 | 5 | |
| 1973 | "Masterpiece" | Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, and Melvin Franlkin (Spoken introduction by Otis Williams) |
7 | 1 | |
| 1973 | "Plastic Man | Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, and Melvin Franlkin |
40 | 8 | |
| 1973 | "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)" | Richard Street | 35 | 2 | |
| 1973 | "Law of the Land" (U.K. only single) |
Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, and Damon Harris |
n/a | n/a | |
| 1973 | "Let Your Hair Down" (instrumentation by Rose Royce) |
Dennis Edwards | 27 | 1 | |
| 1975 | "Heavenly" | Richard Street and Damon Harris | 43 | 8 | |
| 1974 | "You've Got My Soul on Fire" | Dennis Edwards | 74 | 8 | |
| 1974 | "Happy People" (instrumentation by "The Temptations Band": The Commodores) |
Dennis Edwards | 40 | 1 | |
| 1975 | "Shakey Ground" (instrumentation by The Eddie Hazel Band) |
Dennis Edwards | 26 | 1 | |
| 1975 | "Glasshouse" | Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, and Richard Street | 37 | 9 | |
| 1976 | "Keep Holdin' On" | Dennis Edwards | 54 | 3 | |
| 1976 | "Up The Creek (Without A Paddle)" | Dennis Edwards | 94 | 21 | |
| 1976 | "Who Are You (and What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life)" | Dennis Edwards | 22 |
Atlantic Records releases
The following four singles were released by Atlantic Records.
- 1977: "In A Lifetime"
- 1978: "Think For Yourself"
- 1978: "Bare Back"
- 1978: "Ever Ready Love"
Motown releases
The Temptations return to Motown and the Gordy label.
- 1980: "Power" (US #43)
- 1980: "Struck By Lightning Twice"
- 1980: "Take Me Away"
- 1981: "Aiming At Your Heart" (US #67)
- 1981: "Oh What A Night" (US #104)
- 1982: "Standing On The Top - Pt. 1" (featuring Rick James, from the 1982 Reunion album/tour with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks) (US #66)
- 1982: "More On The Inside" (from the 1982 Reunion album/tour with Ruffin and Kendricks)
- 1983: "Love On My Mind Tonight" (US #88)
- 1983: "Surface Thrills"
- 1983: "Miss Busy Body (Get Your Body Busy)"
- 1983: "Sail Away" (US #54)
- 1984: "Treat Her Like A Lady" (US #48)
- 1985: "My Love Is True (Truly For You)"
- 1985: "How Can You Say That It's Over"
- 1985: "Do You Really Love Your Baby"
- 1986: "Touch Me"
- 1986: "A Fine Mess"
- 1986: "Lady Soul" (US #47)
- 1986: "To Be Continued"
- 1987: "Someone"
The Gordy label is absorbed into the main Motown label.
- 1987: "I Wonder Who She's Seeing Now"
- 1987: "Look What You Started"
- 1988: "Do You Wanna Go With Me"
- 1989: "All I Want From You"
- 1989: "Special"
- 1990: "Soul To Soul"
- 1990: "One Step At A Time"
- 1991: "The Jones'"
- 1992: "Hoops Of Fire"
- 1994: "Error of Our Ways"
- 1998: "Stay"
- 1999: "This Is My Promise"
- 1999: "How He Could Hurt You"
- 2000: "I'm Here"
Albums
Motown releases
All Temptations albums until 1977 were released on the Gordy label except for the four Supremes/Temptations collaborative albums, which were released on Motown..
- 1964: Meet the Temptations
- 1965: The Temptations Sing Smokey
- 1965: The Temptin' Temptations
- 1966: Gettin' Ready
- 1966: Greatest Hits
- 1967: Temptations Live!
- 1967: The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul
- 1967: The Temptations in a Mellow Mood
- 1968: The Temptations Wish It Would Rain
- 1968: Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations (with Diana Ross & The Supremes)
- 1968: TCB (with Diana Ross & The Supremes)
- 1968: Live at the Copa
- 1969: Cloud Nine
- 1969: The Temptations Show
- 1969: Together (with Diana Ross & The Supremes)
- 1969: Puzzle People
- 1969: On Broadway (with Diana Ross & The Supremes)
- 1970: Psychedelic Shack
- 1970: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
- 1970: Live at London's Talk of the Town
- 1970: The Temptations Christmas Card
- 1971: Sky's the Limit
- 1972: Solid Rock
- 1972: All Directions
- 1973: Masterpiece
- 1973: The Temptations in Japan
- 1973: 1990
- 1975: A Song for You
- 1975: House Party
- 1975: Wings of Love
- 1976: The Temptations Do the Temptations
Atlantic Records releases
The following two albums were released by Atlantic Records.
- 1978: Bare Back
- 1978: Here To Tempt You
Motown releases
The Temptations return to Motown and the Gordy label.
- 1980: Power
- 1981: The Temptations
- 1982: Reunion
- 1983: Back To Basics
- 1983: Surface Thrills
- 1984: Truly for You
- 1985: Touch Me
- 1986: To Be Continued
The Gordy label is absorbed into the main Motown label.
- 1987: Together Again
- 1989: Special
- 1991: Milestone
- 1995: For Lovers Only
- 1998: Phoenix Rising
- 2000: Ear-Resistible
- 2001: Awesome
- 2004: Legacy
New Door release
- 2006: Reflections
Compilations
- All Motown releases
- 1973: Anthology (version #1)
- 1986: Anthology (version #2)
- 1994: Emperors of Soul (box set)
- 1995: Anthology (version #3)
- 1997: The Temptations: The Ultimate Collection
- 1999: Lost and Found: You've Got To Earn It (1962-1968)
- 2000: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Temptations, Vol. 1 - the 1960s
- 2000: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Temptations, Vol. 2 - the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- 2002: My Girl: The Very Best of the Temptations (rereleased in 2005 as The Temptations: Gold)
- 2003: Psychedelic Soul