The Story of “My Girl”: From Studio to Cultural Phenomenon

“My Girl” is a soulful ballad by American vocal group The Temptations. Written and produced by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of The Miracles, the song became The Temptations’ first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1965 .

The track features lead vocals by David Ruffin, whose emotive delivery brought depth to the song’s romantic lyrics. The opening bass line, played by James Jamerson, and the distinctive guitar riff by Robert White, set the tone for this timeless classic. The song’s arrangement, including strings and horns orchestrated by Paul Riser, contributed to its rich, full sound .

“My Girl” was included on the album The Temptations Sing Smokey, released in 1965, which showcased songs written and produced by Smokey Robinson .

My Girl

Signature Song: “My Girl” is considered The Temptations’ signature song and played a significant role in establishing their career .

Cultural Impact: In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” .

Chart Success: Beyond topping the Billboard Hot 100, “My Girl” also reached number one on the R&B singles chart and was a top ten hit in Canada .

International Revival: The song experienced renewed popularity in the early 1990s after being featured in the 1991 film My Girl, leading to chart success in the UK and Ireland .

Influence on Other Artists: Otis Redding recorded a version of “My Girl” in 1965, which became a hit in the UK, showcasing the song’s broad appeal across different audiences .

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