50 years ago today: The Temptations top pop charts for first time

"My Girl" was the first song by the Temptations to feature David Ruffin as the lead vocalist.

The song was co-written and produced by another Motown artist: Smokey Robinson. He had heard Ruffin sing a solo part while they were on tour together and thought he had the potential to be a star.

Robinson wrote "My Girl" with Ruffin's "mellow yet gruff" vocal style in mind. It would become the first No. 1 hit for the Temptations.

Video: The Temptations, "My Girl"

http://youtu.be/6IUG-9jZD-g

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