About the song
“My Girl” is a soul music song that has stood the test of time, becoming an iconic classic that continues to captivate audiences around the world. Recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) record label in 1965, this song was written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White. The song’s inspiration was Robinson’s wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson, and it has since become the Temptations’ signature song.
The song’s recording was a significant moment in the Temptations’ history, marking the first time that David Ruffin sang lead vocals on a single. Ruffin’s unique voice, described by Robinson as “mellow” yet “gruff,” was the perfect fit for the song’s soulful melody. The Temptations’ background vocals, which included boosts like “hey hey hey” and a series of “my girls” that echoed Ruffin’s vocal, added to the song’s infectious energy.
The song’s introduction, featuring the iconic bass notes played by James Jamerson, is recognized around the world. As Smokey Robinson notes, “I can be in a foreign country where people don’t speak English and the audience will start cheering before I even start singing ‘My Girl.’ They know what’s coming as soon as they hear the opening bass line.” The song’s guitar riff, played by Robert White of the Funk Brothers, is another memorable element that has become synonymous with the song.
“My Girl” was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the U.S. pop charts and staying there for several weeks. It was also the first number one hit on the reinstated Billboard R&B Singles chart and gave the Gordy label its first number one on the Hot 100. The song’s success was not limited to the United States, as it also reached number two in the UK Singles Chart.
Over the years, “My Girl” has been sampled and covered by numerous artists, including the Temptations themselves. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and has been ranked as one of the greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone. In 2004, it was ranked number 88 on the magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and in 2021, it was re-ranked and moved to number 43.
The song’s personnel included David Ruffin on lead vocals, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and Otis Williams on backing vocals, as well as the Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on instrumentation. The song’s production was a collaborative effort between Smokey Robinson and the Temptations, with Robinson’s vision and creativity guiding the process.
In conclusion, “My Girl” is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences around the world. Its soulful melody, memorable introduction, and infectious energy have made it a classic that will be remembered for generations to come.
Video
Lyrics
I’ve got sunshine, on a cloudy day
When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May (ooh)
I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin’ ’bout my girl, my girl
I’ve got so much honey, the bees envy me
I’ve got a sweeter song, than the birds in the trees
Well, I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin’ ’bout my girl, my girl
Ooh, ooh
Hey-hey-hey, hey-hey-hey
Ooh, ooh, yeah
I don’t need no money (ooh), fortune, or fame
I’ve got all the riches, baby (ooh) one man can claim
Well, I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin’ ’bout my girl, my girl
(Talkin’ ’bout my girl)
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day (whoa, whoa) with my girl
I’ve even got the month of May, with my girl (talkin’ ’bout my girl)
Talkin’ ’bout, talkin’ ’bout, talkin’ ’bout my girl (ooh)
Ooh, my girl (talkin’ ’bout my girl)
That’s all I can talk about is my girl (ooh)
Why don’t you believe she’s all my girl? (Talkin’ ’bout my girl)