Top of the Charts: “My Girl” by the Temptations

Mar. 6, 1965 - Hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today was “My Girl” by the Temptations. Written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, it is the Temptations’ first No. 1 single. 

Robinson’s inspiration for writing “My Girl” was his wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson.

The recorded version of “My Girl” is the first Temptations single to feature David Ruffin on lead vocals. Previously, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams had performed most of the group’s lead vocals, and Ruffin had joined the group as a replacement for former Temptation Elbridge Bryant. 

Robinson, who heard the Temptations while part of a collective tour for most of the Motown roster, saw Ruffin as a “sleeping giant” in the group with a unique voice that was “mellow yet gruff.” Robinson thought if he could write the perfect song for Ruffin’s voice, he could have a smash hit. He was correct.

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