This funky sound came from producer Norman Withfield. He gave the Temptations this type of sound in the late 60s early 70s. Like with "Popa Was A Rolling Stone".
Girl, old lady here. I have loved this song since I was a child. So many songs from that time really fit today. We need to get back to the old protest songs and realize that what was accomplished is in danger of being lost.
This is an example of the enigmatic saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same". With "My Girl" was when Smokey Robinson wrote most the songs, then during the late '60's and '70's they dealt with more serious social problems. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is my favorite. I have their greatest hits and I forgot they were so good, still very underrated.
When the great songwriter/producer Norman Whitfield started writing for them in the late '60s and early '70s the Temptations took a harder turn towards more socially conscious and trippy material. Their hits "Cloud Nine," "Psychedelic Shack," "I Can't Get Next to You," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and "Ball of Confusion" were fantastic tracks that didn't sound like the old Temptations. Gruff-voiced newcomer Dennis Edwards (replacing David Ruffin) sang lead on most of these tracks with Eddie Kendricks still contributing as well. They did still make sweet-sounding music as well, as with the dreamy hit "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" from 1971 with Eddie singing lead.
Hey Empress, You nailed it, every decade seems to have it's own issues...but no matter how old this song is, it is still very relevant today because this world & it's systems, says loud & clear that it is still a "Ball Of Confusion!!!" Mic Drop!!!
When the Temps first came out, Smokey Robinson did most of the writing for the group, ie, My Girl, and had a more doo-wop sound. Later, Norm Whitfield became their primary writer and gave them that rougher psychedelic vibe.
The remaining members of Bauhaus formed Love and Rockets after Peter Murphy went to a solo career. They did a fine job on this song. See what you think. Another good one Empress.
Awesome! That first chorus lands with such an explosion those horns almost seem like afterthoughts. The Temptations dropped "Ball of Confusion" in 1970 and the heavier sound reflected the wear and tear of the late sixties as musical styles changed along with society. Compare the change in their sound with the sound of The Supremes last top ten hit "Stoned Love" from 1970, recorded after Diana Ross left the group but still great and with a timely message as well. Also compare the The Supremes version of "You Keep Me Hangin On" from 1966 with the Vanilla Fudge version from 1967. Groovy mixed with heavy. "Ball of Confusion" was covered almost immediately, first in 1971 by Edwin Starr, then by The Undisputed Truth. Then notably by Tina Turner in 1982, Love and Rockets in 1985, Chuck D & Dapper Dan in 1995, and Anthrax in 1999. Beyond that, The Temptations were awesome -- "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", "Get Ready", "Since I Lost My Baby", "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "Papa Was A Rollin Stone", "(I Know) I'm Losing You", "Ball of Confusion", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Cloud Nine", "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" -- Motown hit machine big time. The Temptations were so great even The Rolling Stones covered their songs, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" in 1974 and "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" in 1978.
This is a slightly altered version from the original 45 RPM/radio release due to its tweaked electronic flourishes and synth intonations, but quite true to the original and still very very good. This is a heavy duty song, definitely not a feel-good campfire tune or something American Bandstand kids would tell Dick Clark, "It has a great beat and is easy to dance to" -- it's all about the message and it's serious business, from racism to drug abuse, inner city riots, lying politicians (as if that's anything new), suicide, the Vietnam War, plus a lot more. Yet the song is still FIRE and very well executed. The "people all over the world are shouting 'end the war'" lyric was something I could relate to even though I was just 11 when this song debuted -- several of my older brother's friends in our neighborhood had their numbers called and were on their way to Southeast Asia (my bro's number was never called, came damn close though). This is a Temptations classic for lots of reasons -- maybe you had to live through that era to fully grasp what type of impact this song had back in '70. 😎
I would suggest only doing live versions of the Temptation's songs. Then you get the full effect of not only the music, but also the amazing choreography.
A time of war,civil rights movements,sexual revolution,drugs,music,etc and as you mentioned the anger of it all.. Add todays stuff like climate change,technology,equal rights,etc
Hey Empress, been a fan for years and I know how u like “Them Vocals”. Well there’s a song no one has reacted to i believe from the 70s called Ms by an artist named David Oliver. It would just warm my heart if u would one day react to it.🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿