Emperors of Soul
Box set Album by The Temptations
Release	September 20, 1994
Recorded	1959 - 1994
Genre	Doo wop/soul/psychedelic soul/funk/pop/R&B
Length	6 hrs 25 mins 36 secs
Label	Motown
Producer	Various
Professional reviews
All Music Guide (4.5/5) link
The Temptations chronology
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Emperors of Soul is a 1994 box set compilation for The Temptations, released by Motown Records. The five-disc collection covers the Temptations' entire four-decade history, from the first recording of The Distants in 1959 ("Come On") to four new recordings by the then-current Temptations lineup of Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, Ron Tyson, and stalwart members Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin: "Error of Our Ways", "Givin' U The Best", "Elevator Eyes", and "Blueprint for My Love". A box set (or boxed set) refers to one or more recordings which are contained in a box made generally out of cardboard. ... An album is a collection of related audio tracks, released together commercially in an audio format to the public. ... The Classic 5 lineup of The Temptations, circa 1965. ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music popular in the mid-1950s to the early 1960s in America. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Psychedelic soul is a subgenre of soul music that thrived during the late 1960s and early 1970s. ... Funk is a distinct style of music originated by African-Americans, e. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... A record label is a brand created by companies that specialize in manufacturing, distributing and promoting audio and video recordings, on various formats including compact discs, LPs, DVD-Audio, SACDs, and cassettes. ... Motown Record Company, L.P., also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label specializing in the musical genres of R&B, pop, soul music, and hip-hop music. ... In the music industry, a record producer is responsible for completing a master recording so that it is fit for release. ... The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. ... The Classic 5 lineup of The Temptations, circa 1965. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... A box set (or boxed set) refers to one or more recordings which are contained in a box made generally out of cardboard. ... The Classic 5 lineup of The Temptations, circa 1965. ... Motown, also known as Tamla-Motown outside the U.S., is a record label founded on December 14, 1959 by Berry Gordy, Jr. ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ali-Ollie Woodson (born September 12, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan) is an African-American R&B singer, songwriter, and keyboardist. ... Theo Peoples is an African-American R&B and singer. ... Ron Tyson (born February 8, 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an African American tenor/falsetto singer and songwriter. ... Otis Williams (second from right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Melvin Franklin (far left), with the Temptations in 1967. ...

The first two discs and the first half of the third disc collect the original mono 45 versions of the Temptations' most popular singles, including "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", and "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)". The rest of the set continues on throug hthe 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s with later hits, album tracks, and unreleased songs. My Girl My Girl, released December 21, 1964, is a 1965 #1 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label. ... Aint 2 Proud 2 Beg is also the name of a 1991 TLC single. ... Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) is a 1971 #1 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... This article provides extensive lists of events and significant personalities of the 1970s. ... // Events and trends The 1980s marked an abrupt shift towards more conservative lifestyles after the momentous cultural revolutions which took place in the 60s and 70s and the definition of the AIDS virus in 1981. ... // Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but otherwise retaining the same mindset. ...

Disc 1: Early years

All tracks in mono.

1. "Come On" (by Otis Williams & the Distants)
2. "Oh, Mother of Mine"
3. "Romance Without Finance"
4. "Check Yourself"
5. "Dream Come True"
6. "Mind Over Matter (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)" (credited as "The Pirates")
7. "I'll Love You 'Til I Die" (credited as "The Pirates")
8. "Paradise"
9. "Slow Down Heart"
10. "I Couldn't Cry If I Wanted To"
11. "Witchcraft (For Your Love)" *
12. "I Want A Love I Can See"
13. "The Further You Look, The Less You See"
14. "Farewell My Love"
15. "A Tear From A Woman's Eyes"
16. "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
17. "I'll Be In Trouble"
18. "The Girl's Alright With Me"
19. "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)"
20. "Baby, Baby I Need You"
21. "My Girl"
22. "(Talking 'Bout) Nobody But My Baby"
23. "It's Growing"
24. "You'll Lose A Precious Love"
25. "Since I Lost My Baby"
26. "You've Got To Earn It"
27. "My Baby"
28. "Don't Look Back"

(*) previously unreleased The Way You Do the Things You Do is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. ... My Girl My Girl, released December 21, 1964, is a 1965 #1 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label. ... Since I Lost My Baby is a 1965 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. ...

Personnel

• Oriignally recorded between 1959 and 1965
• Lead and background vocals: Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams
• Lead vocals on "Come On": Richard Street
• Addiitonal background vocals on "Come On": James "Pee-Wee" Crawford.
• Addiitonal background vocals on "It's Growing": The Andantes
• Producers: Andre Williams, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield, and Holland-Dozier-Holland
• Instrumentation: The Funk Brothers

1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1965 was a common year starting on Friday (link goes to calendar). ... Paul WIlliams (far right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Eddie Kendricks, on the cover of his 1981 album Love Keys. ... David Ruffin. ... Elbridge Al Bryant (September 28, 1939 - October 26, 1975) was an African American tenor singer, one of the founding members of Motown singing group The Temptations. ... Melvin Franklin (far left), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Otis Williams (second from right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Richard Street (top right corner) on the cover of the 1984 Temptations LP Truly for You. ... The Andantes were a prolific female session singing group for the Motown record label during the 1960s. ... Andre Williams, born Zeffrey Williams in Bessemer, Alabama, USA in 1936, is a living legend of R&B and R&R. He first started his career with Fortune Records, recording tunes such as Bacon Fat, Greasy Chicken, Jail Bait and Pass the Biscuits as well as writing Twine Time for... William Mickey Stevenson was a songwriter and record producer for the Motown label until 1967, when he and wife Kim Weston left the company for MGM. Categories: Musician stubs | Motown songwriters and producers | Record producers | American songwriters ... Berry Gordy, Jr. ... William Smokey Robinson (born February 19, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. ... Norman Whitfield (born in 1943) was a songwriter and producer for Berry Gordys Motown label during the 1960s. ... Holland-Dozier-Holland was a songwriting and production team consisting of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. ... The Funk Brothers were the house band at Detroits Motown Records from 1959 to 1972, when the company moved to Los Angeles. ...

Disc 2: "Classic-5" years

All tracks in mono unless otherwise noted.

1. "Get Ready"
2. "Fading Away"
3. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg"
4. "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby"
5. "Who You Gonna Run To"
6. "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep"
7. "I Got Heaven Right Here On Earth" *
8. "(I Know) I'm Losing You"
9. "All I Need"
10. "Remember Me"
11. "I'm Doing It All"
12. "No More Water In The Well"
13. "You're My Everything"
14. "Just One Last Look"
15. "Angel Doll" *
16. "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need"
17. "Don't Send Me Away"
18. "Hello Young Lovers"
19. "Ol' Man River" [Alternate Version] *
20. "I Wish It Would Rain"
21. "I Truly, Truly Believe"
22. "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)"
23. "Please Return Your Love To Me"
24. "How Can I Forget"
25. "For Once In My Life" ('ive from TCB) **
26. "My Girl" [Acapella] (hidden bonus track)

(*) previously unreleased (**) in stereo This article is about the 1966 Temptations song. ... Aint 2 Proud 2 Beg is also the name of a 1991 TLC single. ... (I Know) Im Losing You is a 1966 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... Ol Man River (music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II) is a song in the 1927 musical Show Boat that tells the story of African American hardship and struggles at the time. ... I Wish It Would Rain, released December 21, 1967, is a 1968 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... TCB was a 1968 live television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter-Ed Friendly Productions. ... My Girl My Girl, released December 21, 1964, is a 1965 #1 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label. ...

Personnel

• Originally recorded between 1965 and 1968; bonus track recorded in 1964
• Lead and background vocals by David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams
• Producers: Norman Whitfield, Smokey Robinson, Frank Wilson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Jeffrey Bowen, and Ivy Jo Hunter
• Instrumentation: The Funk Brothers and L.A. session artists

1965 was a common year starting on Friday (link goes to calendar). ... 1968 was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1964 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... David Ruffin. ... Eddie Kendricks, on the cover of his 1981 album Love Keys. ... Paul WIlliams (far right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Melvin Franklin (far left), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Otis Williams (second from right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Norman Whitfield (born in 1943) was a songwriter and producer for Berry Gordys Motown label during the 1960s. ... William Smokey Robinson (born February 19, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. ... Frank Wilson is an African-American former songwriter and record producer for Motown Records. ... Holland-Dozier-Holland was a songwriting and production team consisting of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. ... The Funk Brothers were the house band at Detroits Motown Records from 1959 to 1972, when the company moved to Los Angeles. ...

Disc 3: "Psychedelic soul" years

All tracks in mono unless otherwise noted.

1. "Cloud Nine"
2. "Why Did She Have To Leave Me (Why Did She Have To Go)"
3. "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" ** (Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations)
4. "I'll Try Something New" (Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations)
5. "Runaway Child, Running Wild"
6. "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down"
7. "I Can't Get Next to You"
8. "Message From A Black Man" **
9. "War" **
10. "Psychedelic Shack" *
11. "Hum Along and Dance" **
12. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)"
13. "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World)"
14. "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)"
15. "Take A Look Around" **
16. "It's Summer" **
17. "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" **
18. "I Ain't Got Nothin'" **
19. "Mother Nature" **
20. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" **

(**) in stereo (*) mono 45 single, with stereo LP intro added to beginning Cloud Nine is a 1968 hit song recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label. ... Im Gonna Make You Love Me is a soul song, written in 1967 by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Jerry Ross. ... Reissue album cover showing The Supremes in 1966. ... Reissue album cover showing The Supremes in 1966. ... Runaway Child, Running Wild (the original single labels the song as Run Away Child, Running Wild) is a 1969 hit single for the Motown label, performed by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... I Cant Get Next to You is a 1969 hit single for the Motown label, performed by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... War is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label in 1969. ... Psychedelic Shack, released December 28, 1969, is the name of a 1970 hit single for the Motown label performed by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... Hum Along and Dance is a soul song written for the Motown label by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. ... Ball of Confusion (Thats What the World is Today) is the name of a 1970 hit single for the Motown label performed by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) is a 1971 #1 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) is a 1971 hit single for the Gordy (Motown) label, recorded by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield. ... Papa Was a Rollin Stone is a soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971. ...

Personnel

• Originally recorded betwen 1968 and 1972
• Lead and background vocals by Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, Richard Street, and Damon Harris
• Lead vocals on "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" and "I'll Try Something New": Diana Ross: vocals
• Background vocals on "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" and "I'll Try Something New": Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong
• Producers: Norman Whitfield, Frank Wilson, and Nickolas Ashford
• Instrumentation: The Funk Brothers and L.A. session artists

1968 was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... Dennis Edwards (born February 3, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an African-American soul and R&B singer, most noted for being one of The Temptations lead singers. ... Eddie Kendricks, on the cover of his 1981 album Love Keys. ... Paul WIlliams (far right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Melvin Franklin (far left), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Otis Williams (second from right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Richard Street (top right corner) on the cover of the 1984 Temptations LP Truly for You. ... Damon Harris (born Otis Robert Harris, Jr. ... Diana Ross on the cover of her collection Diana Ross: The Ultimate Collection Diana Ross (born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross [1] on March 26, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan) is an African-American soul, R&B and pop singer and actress. ... Album cover showing Mary Wilson (center) with The Supremes - Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. ... Cindy Birdsong (born December 15, 1939 in Camden, New Jersey) was a member of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles (1960_1967) and later, the Supremes (1967-1972, 1973_1976). ... Norman Whitfield (born in 1943) was a songwriter and producer for Berry Gordys Motown label during the 1960s. ... Frank Wilson is an African-American former songwriter and record producer for Motown Records. ... Nickolas Ashford (born May 4, 1942, in Fairfield, South Carolina) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946 in The Bronx, New York) are a successful songwriting/production team, as well as being recording artists in their own right. ... The Funk Brothers were the house band at Detroits Motown Records from 1959 to 1972, when the company moved to Los Angeles. ...

Disc 4: Funk/disco years

All songs in stereo.

1. "Masterpiece"
2. "Plastic Man"
3. "Hey Girl" (I Like Your Style)
4. "Law Of The Land" [Alternate Mix] *
5. "Let Your Hair Down"
6. "Heavenly"
7. "You've Got My Soul on Fire"
8. "Happy People"
9. "Shakey Ground"
10. "Glasshouse"
11. "A Song for You"
12. "Memories"
13. "Keep Holdin' On"
14. "Darling, Stand By Me (Song For My Woman)"
15. "Who Are You" (original title: "Who Are You (and What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life)")
16. "In a Lifetime"
17. "Power"
18. "Isn't the Night Fantastic"
19. "Aiming at Your Heart"

(*) previously unreleased A Song for You is a 1970 song written and originally performed by rock singer/songwriter Leon Russell. ...

Personnel

• Originally recorded beween 1972 and 1982
• Lead and background vocals by Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Glenn Leonard, Louis Price, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams
• Producers: Norman Whitfield, Jeffrey Bowen, Berry Gordy, and James Carmichael
• Instrumentation: The Funk Brothers, The Commodores, Rose Royce, and L.A. session artists

1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dennis Edwards (born February 3, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an African-American soul and R&B singer, most noted for being one of The Temptations lead singers. ... Richard Street (top right corner) on the cover of the 1984 Temptations LP Truly for You. ... Damon Harris (born Otis Robert Harris, Jr. ... Melvin Franklin (far left), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Otis Williams (second from right), with the Temptations in 1967. ... Norman Whitfield (born in 1943) was a songwriter and producer for Berry Gordys Motown label during the 1960s. ... Berry Gordy, Jr. ... The Funk Brothers were the house band at Detroits Motown Records from 1959 to 1972, when the company moved to Los Angeles. ... The Commodores was a highly successful soul/funk band in the 1970s. ... Rose Royce was a soul and disco band, most noted for their work with Motown producer Norman Whitfield. ...

Disc 5: 1980s and 1990s

All songs in stereo.

1. "Standing On The Top" [Pt. 1]
2. "Sail Away"
3. "Treat Her Like A Lady"
4. "My Love Is True (Truly For You)"
5. "Do You Really Love Your Baby"
6. "Magic"
7. "Lady Soul"
8. "I Wonder Who She's Seeing Now"
9. "Look What You Started"
10. "Soul To Soul"
11. "Special"
12. "My Kind Of Woman" *
13. "Hoops Of Fire"
14. "Error Of Our Ways" **
15. "Givin' U The Best" **
16. "Elevator Eyes" **
17. "Blueprint For Love" **

(*) previously unreleased (**) new songs

Personnel

• Oriignally recorded between 1982 and 1994
• Lead and background vocals by Dennis Edwards, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Richard Street, Glenn Leonard, Ron Tyson, Theo Peoples, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams
• Additional leads and background vocals on "Standing on the Top": Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Rick James, and the Mary Jane Girls
• Guest rap on "My Kind of Woman" by Ice-T
• Producers: Rick James ("Standing on the Top"), Berry Gordy, Norman Whitfield ("Sail Away"), Ali-Ollie Woodson, and Otis Williams
• Instrumentation: Earl Van Dyke, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Norman Whitfield, and L.A. session musicians.