Ted Tocks CoversMar 13

Ted Tocks Covers

Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone

Originally posted on January 18, 2019.

On this day 65 years ago, The Temptations auditioned successfully and were signed to the Motown label.

“Talking about saving souls and all the time leechin'
Dealing in dirt, and stealing in the name of the Lord.”

#TheUndisputedTruth #TheTemptations #NormanWhitfield #davidlindley  #RareEarth

https://tedtockscovers.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/papa-was-a-rollin-stone-musicislife-tedtockscovers-theundisputedtruth-thetemptations-normanwhitfield-davidlindley-rareearth/

Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone – #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #TheUndisputedTruth #TheTemptations #NormanWhitfield #DavidLindley #RareEarth

Today’s feature is going to go in a few different directions and then I will bring it all back home to a story about the songwriter who played an integral role in making ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ S…

Ted Tocks Covers
Robin BannksFeb 21

Masterpiece

Released on February 21, 1973, through Motown's Gordy label, Masterpiece was the final album the group recorded at Detroit's iconic Hitsville U.S.A. before the label relocated to Hollywood. It's the peak of their "psychedelic soul" era under producer Norman Whitfield. #thetemptations #masterpiece #thetemps #soul #rnb #psychedelicsoul #normanwhitfield #70smusic #music #musicsky #musiciansky #motown

http://robinbannks.com/2026/02/21/masterpiece/

Masterpiece

Released on February 21, 1973, through Motown’s Gordy label, Masterpiece was the final album the group recorded at Detroit’s iconic Hitsville U.S.A. before the label relocated to Hollyw…

You Can't Make This Stuff Up ...
50+ MusicFeb 13
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song originally performed by #Motown recording act #theUndisputedTruth in 1972, though it became much better known after a #GrammyAward-winning cover by #theTemptations was issued later the same year. This latter version of the song became a number-one hit on the #Billboard #Hot100. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was written by #NormanWhitfield and #BarrettStrong in 1971. Whitfield produced #theOriginal Undisputed Truth version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5xAtsXb8Vs
The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone

YouTube
50+ MusicFeb 5
"I Can't Get Next to You" is a 1969 #single recorded by #theTemptations and written by #NormanWhitfield and #BarrettStrong for the Gordy (#Motown) label. The song was a No. 1 single on the #Billboard Top Pop Singles chart for two weeks in 1969, from October 18 to October 25, replacing "#SugarSugar" by #theArchies and replaced by "#SuspiciousMinds" by #ElvisPresley. The single was also a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Top #RAndB Singles for five weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDasi1jiqRs
The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" on The Ed Sullivan Show

The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on September 28, 1969. Subscribe now to never miss an update: https://ume.lnk.t...

YouTube
Ted Tocks CoversJan 28

Ted Tocks Covers

Ball of Confusion

Originally posted on February 5, 2018

Remembering Barrett Strong!

“People moving out, people moving in. Why, because of the colour of their skin.
Run, run, run but you sure can’t hide. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Vote for me and I’ll set you free. Rap on, brother, rap on.”

#TheTemptations #BarrettStrong #NormanWhitfield #LoveandRockets

https://tedtockscovers.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/ball-of-confusion/

Ball of Confusion – That’s what the world is today. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #TheTemptations #BarrettStrong #NormanWhitfield #LoveandRockets

Songwriter Barrett Strong was born on this day in 1941. You may not know his name but he wrote some Motown classics, including ‘Papa Was a Rolling Stone’, ‘Money’, ‘Wa…

Ted Tocks Covers
50+ MusicJan 14
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is a 1966 song and hit single by #theTemptations for #MotownRecords' Gordy label, written by #NormanWhitfield and #EdwardHollandJr and produced by Whitfield. It peaked at number 13 on the #Billboard Pop Chart, and was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B charts for eight non-consecutive weeks. The song's success, in the wake of the relative underperformance of the previous Temptations' single, "#GetReady".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0TkufXA38
Temptations "Ain't too proud to beg"

YouTube
Andi ChorleyJan 9

Psychedelic Soul by the Temptations, released on Spectrum Music in 2000.

Most of the Norman Whitfield psychedelic soul funk classics on one CD. Musical therapy is much needed today!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKH_noCxjLQ&list=RDPKH_noCxjLQ&start_radio=1

#Temptations #Motown #Funk #Soul #Music #NormanWhitfield #PsychedelicSoul

50+ MusicSep 29
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a song written by #NormanWhitfield and #BarrettStrong for #MotownRecords in 1966. The first recording of the song to be released was produced by Whitfield for #GladysKnightAndThePips and released as a single in September 1967. It went to number one on the #Billboard #RAndB Singles chart and number two on the Billboard #PopSingles chart and shortly became the biggest selling Motown single up to that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZnrZnFSlWU
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Live)

YouTube
50+ MusicSep 16, 2025
#OnThisDay in 2008, #NormanWhitfield, American songwriter and producer for Motown ("I Heard It Through the Grapevine"), died at 68.
#RIP †
Ted Tocks CoversAug 29, 2025

Ted Tocks Covers

War

Originally posted on February 5, 2019

This #EdwinStarr classic was at #1 on this day 55 years ago.

“Oh, war, is an enemy to all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest within the younger generation
Induction then destruction, who wants to die?”

#BarrettStrong #NormanWhitfield #edwinstarr #TheTemptations #brucespringsteen

https://tedtockscovers.wordpress.com/2019/02/05/war-todays-classic-song-an-original-recording-and-a-great-cover-musicislife-tedtockscovers-barrettstrong-normanwhitfield-edwinstarr-thetempations-brucespringsteen/

War –  It Means Destruction of Innocent Lives. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #BarrettStrong #NormanWhitfield #EdwinStarr #TheTemptations #BruceSpringsteen

Back on January 18th I featured ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ and profiled Norman Whitfield. Today I am going to feature the other half of that prolific songwriting team; Barrett Strong. I have featur…

Ted Tocks Covers