Categories: Stories

Smokey Robinson Admits ‘My Girl’ Isn’t About A Woman And Was Written For The Temptations

When The Temptations first signed with Motown, the label’s founder, Berry Gordy, instructed Smokey to “get some hits on them.” Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams typically alternated as the group’s lead singers, but Smokey saw incredible potential in background singer David Ruffin.

Smokey Robinson with Esther Gordy Edwards at the Motown Records Office. (Pinterest)

“I wrote ‘My Girl’ for David Ruffin’s voice,” Smokey says. “The Temptations were so creative in making up the background vocals… All the stuff that they’re singing on ‘My Girl,’ they made that up themselves.”

The combination of those background vocals, Ruffin’s distinct voice, and Smokey’s writing abilities is what made the song such a hit. These three important factors all aligned at the right moment.

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“No, I don’t wish I would have kept it for myself,” Smokey says of the song. “[The Temptations are] the ones who brought it out of me!”

This strong sense of community was always prevalent in Smokey’s career with Motown. Everyone there, he adds, felt like family.

The Temptations perform their signature hit, “My Girl,” in 1965. (last.fm)

“I always was so happy whenever I got a hit record on one of the artists,” Smokey says. “They were my brothers and sisters. If I could do something to enhance their career and make things better for them, that made me happy.”

Watch the clip to get behind-the-scenes at Motown!

(Sources: Huffington Post and Little Things)