How ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ Became a Soul Classic

In September 1972, The Temptations released “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” a track that would become one of their most iconic and enduring songs. Originally penned by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for The Undisputed Truth, The Temptations’ rendition transformed the song into a 12-minute epic featured on their album All Directions. This version masterfully blends elements of psychedelic soul and funk, creating a soundscape that captures the complexities of familial relationships and societal challenges.

Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone

Original Version: Before The Temptations’ famous rendition, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” was first recorded by The Undisputed Truth in early 1972. While their version achieved modest success, it was The Temptations’ interpretation that propelled the song to greater acclaim.

Chart-Topping Success: The Temptations’ version of the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 2, 1972, marking their final chart-topping hit.

Grammy Recognition: In 1973, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” earned The Temptations three Grammy Awards: Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group, Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the B-side, and Best R&B Song for its composers, Whitfield and Strong.

Extended Instrumentation: The album version of the song is notable for its nearly four-minute instrumental introduction, featuring a distinctive bassline, wah-wah guitar, and a haunting trumpet solo by Maurice Davis.

Recording Tensions: During the recording process, lead singer Dennis Edwards was reportedly frustrated with producer Norman Whitfield’s demanding perfectionism, particularly regarding the song’s opening line, which coincidentally mentioned the third of September—the same date Edwards’ father had passed away.

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