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On Dec. 1, September 21, 1964, The Temptations released one of the greatest love songs ever recorded.
Smokey Robinson and Ronald White wrote and produced the Motown classic melody “My Girl,” which became the group’s first No. 1 single. It is now part of the National Recording Registry.
“I remember being in the studio. And we heard the song ‘My Girl’ for the first time,” Otis Williams, the group’s sole surviving founding member, told Fox News Digital.
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The Temptations, from left, David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams and Eddie Kendricks. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“I was in the control room where Smokey acted as producer. And I said, ‘Smoke, I had no idea how big of a record this was going to become.’ Then we were at the Apollo, and we got telegrams from the Beatles, Berry Gordy, and Juul. Podell, owner of Copacabana There are still four telegrams hanging in my house.”
“They are very precious to me,” he reflects. “I never thought The Temps would receive so many great accolades from the start. We formed the band in 1961 but didn’t have a hit until 1964… This song put us on the map.”
When asked who is the mysterious girl behind this single? Williams then chuckled and replied, “You’d have to ask that Smokey guy first.”
Singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson practices with the Temptations in their dressing room at the Apollo in 1964. (Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“Smokey and his wife at the time, Claudette, saw us at a location in Detroit. It was a popular nightclub called The 20 Grand,” Williams recalls. “They came to us. And he was like, ‘Dude, you guys are dynamite.’ Then he stopped and said, ‘I’ve got a song for you’ We were young and cocky. So we were like, ‘Go ahead, we can sing whatever song we want.'”
“My Girl” is the follow-up to another song written and produced by Robinson, Mary Wells’ “My Guy”. board.com Reportedly, that song is also celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Williams says the secret behind the song’s lasting impact is surprisingly simple.
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Otis Williams performs on stage in California (Photo Scott See Delson/Getty)
“It has a very broad meaning,” he explains. “It’s a song that touches on every situation in life. When a father gives his daughter away at a wedding That will always be his girl.
“When a man falls in love with a girl, he says, ‘That’s my girl.’ It has many different meanings. And it feels very mixed. It is not limited to only men and women. But it is also a way of expressing love.”
Music recordings for “My Girl” and “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” are on display in New York City. (Dom Emmert/AFP via Getty Images)
“It’s a great song with simple lyrics. It’s not obnoxious at all,” Williams continued. “It’s a melody that everyone remembers, that’s why it’s priceless… It’s just a great way to express how a man will feel about his woman… And that’s what Motown believes – having good songs with beautiful lyrics that don’t offend anyone.”
On March 6, 1965, The Temptations’ best-selling single “My Girl” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. (International Music Archives)
And there is much that today’s artists can learn from his generation. Williams confirmed.
“Look, I always tell people that the one constant in life is change,” he explains. “I try not to disappoint anyone in their efforts to make it in show business. But I have to say this. I was not impressed by some of the things I heard on the radio today.”
“When I heard the lyrics… I heard swearing,” Williams said. “I have heard a lot of derogatory language. Now I believe in freedom of speech. But it reflects how we live in today’s society… You shouldn’t hear insults on the radio.”
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In 1989, The Temptations were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (International Music Archives)
“I believe in great lyrics. Lyrics that aren’t offensive and will resonate with everyone,” he said. “That’s why Motown was so great. They play beautiful songs. They are called ‘Song for America’
“I know my time is a different time…but I’m just not impressed by what I hear on the radio these days. I don’t know what happens when things are so relaxed that you can hear the insults? People who talk about doing disgusting things to women, children shouldn’t have to hear that.”
At 83 years old, Williams has no plans of slowing down as an actor.
“Look, I always tell people that the one constant in life is change. I try not to disappoint anyone in their attempts to make their bones in show business. But I have to say this. I’m not impressed with some things. of what I heard on the radio today.”
On September 9, on September 14, 1994, The Temptations received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, and on June 7, 2019, they received a star on the Walk. of Fame of the Apollo Theater in New York City (International music group)
“God has blessed me to do this for 64 years,” he said. “I feel like it’s special to be in show business. You can reach a lot of people. You can give them hope. You can lift them up in difficult times, so we will always try to be helpful. We will not come out on stage and Grab our private parts and sing about doing this or that.”
“We were taught that if you act with the right respect and dignity, You will always have someone listening to you,” Williams said. As long as you keep up the good work and keep it up. You don’t have to worry too much about it. We emphasize respect for our audience and ourselves.”
“My Girl” has surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, and Williams admits he’s amazed that young listeners are discovering the song on social media.
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The Temptations have surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify. (International Music Archives)
“God and His infinite wisdom led us into that studio. I really believe that,” Williams said. “And this was a very special time in the ’60s. Now, the ’60s were just as crazy as we are today… But it is true proof that songs can still be loved 60 years later.”
“… our audience grows with us,” he said. “We were young when we started. But look where we are now.”
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