Wow! I cannot describe the joy I get in watching someone experience The Temptations for the first time! First of all, they were at the top of their craft and they set the standard for everyone who followed. As great as David Ruffin was as a lead singer - all five of them could lead at any given time! They were known for their choreography (which they continue to exhibit to this day). The mike was David's idea. The song was written by Roger Penzabene, who wrote a number of passionate songs in this vein ("You're My Everything", "You Don't Love Me No More", this is "The End Of Our Road", "I Could Never Love Another After Loving You"), expressing his deep hurt upon finding out his wife was cheating on him and, unfortunately, he committed suicide, at the age of 23),a week after this record was released.
Oh man, I wish I was my father’s age when this music first started coming around. Not just David Ruffin/The Temptations.... but so so SO many others! I’m glad he’s shown me such great music! He’s a wonderful musician himself. He has been since he was 12... he actually formed a band around when he and my Mom went through their divorce. He didn’t cover this song, but he covered My Girl. It may actually be on RU-vid! Not sure if anyone will read my comment and wish to hear it, but I’ll link it if so! I’m so proud of him. He deserves way more recognition. (He’s the always the lead singer, and more often than not is the bassist. He sings and plays the bass in that cover! 😊)
*_I Wish It Would Rain_* came out in 1967. This song has a tragic back story. The songwriter, Rodger Penzabene, took his own life when he found out that his wife, whom reports said he absolutely adored, was cheating on him. He put all his energies into this song and another one called *_I Could Never Love Another_* also sung by the Temptations along with *_You're My Everything_* that he contributed to as well. So every lyric in this song is what the songwriter was actually feeling with her words still ringing in his ears. Amazing how he channeled all his emotions into this tune. Now that you know the story behind the song when you listen to them again you can almost feel Rodger's pain. Wikipedia "On New Year's Eve 1967, a week after the release of "I Wish It Would Rain", Penzabene committed suicide by gunshot at the age of 23." en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodger_Penzabene The Temptations I Could Never Love Another ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IIQMyzAVAOY.html
@thewordkeeper Thanks for providing some background on this song. I recently saw an interview with another writer who worked for Motown and with Rodger Penzabene. He talked about how around the time they were recording this song and others that Rodger was depressed and talked about how "things would never be right". This song was written by a man pouring out his pain.
Examples of the other members leading songs; Eddie Kendricks - "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)", "Get Ready" and "You're My Everything"; Paul Williams - "Don't Look Back" (check out the live version), "For Once In My Life", "I've Gotta Be Me"; Melvin Franklin - "I Truly, Truly Believe", "Old Man River", "Power" and Otis Williams - ""This Guy's In Love With You" (from "Live at London's Talk of the Town"). David Ruffin was also the powerful lead on "My Girl", "Beauty's Only Skin Deep" and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)." David and Eddie (and David's replacement, Dennis Edwards) also had solo hits as well.
This song, as well as the Temptations' "I could Never Love Another After Loving You," were written by Rodger Penzabene. Allegedly he wrote the songs out of real life pain. Learning his wife was unfaithful inspired both songs. Penzabene committed suicide before "I Wish it Would Rain" was released.
David Ruffin was in my opinion one of the greatest singers of all time. Unfortunately he thought he was bigger than the whole of the group. Reminds me of a very talented WR in the NFL right now.
Great Analogy and you are correct. Most likely you're talking about Antonio Brown. Team effort, please. [Thanks for subscribing, I will be back soon.] Cheers, laudanum669
What can I say except that was the greatest group ever and with David out front what is needed it doesn’t get any better than that check out Jackie Wilson
Love this song , voices are amazing , watched your reactions to queen videos , love them as we ,try the four tops ask the lonely ,brilliant voices once again thnx good luck x
@ledzepandhabs No he didn't . David was only with the group from 1964-68 and even then Paul and Eddie sang some of the leads. The Temptations have been around for 59 years!
@@DetroitLives313 Yeah I don't really care about the 60 year career and blah blah. When Ruffin was with the band, he sang most of the songs and most of the hits. No one is talking about the history of the band, he was inquiring about "that singer" so my original statement stands accurate and intact.
@ledzepandhabs Yeah well, you can't rewrite history because you like someone. I wished David didn't have such a drug problem. I was at his funeral. Such a waste. Take care now.
@@ledzepandhabs The Way You Do the Things You Do I'll be in Trouble Get Ready Girl, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue The Girl's All Right With Me Don't Look Back Please Return Your Love to Me My Baby All Temptations hits while "that singer" David Ruffin was in the group but on which he wasn't the lead singer.
In one month I will be seeing "Ain't to proud" at the Imperial Theater on Broadway. A Broadway show has been on my bucket list but throw in The Temptation's and it's pure gold.
That's awesome. That's an excellent broadway show, I haven't seen it but could only imagine. They should do more broadway show like this. The Four Tops, etc
The mike was a starburst mike. All the original Temps has lead quality voices, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks led on most but all had their moments. Without the starburst their steps were even more impressive IMO
