The Origins of a Motown Masterpiece
My Girl, a song that epitomises the soulful charm of Motown, was the result of a creative collaboration between the legendary Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of The Miracles. This iconic track, performed by The Temptations, showcases the genius of its writers and the vocal prowess of the group, especially David Ruffin. Smokey Robinson, inspired by the voice and personality of Ruffin, wrote My Girl as a response to his own hit, My Guy, which he had penned for Mary Wells in 1964.
The lyrics of My Girl were also influenced by Robinson’s love for his wife, Claudette, who was a member of The Miracles. Robinson recalled how he composed the song while playing the piano at the Apollo Theatre, where The Temptations were performing as part of a Motown tour. He was joined by White, and together they crafted a song that had “hit!” written all over it.
The Sound of My Girl
The sound of My Girl is a quintessential example of the Motown style, blending elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and pop. The song features a catchy melody and smooth vocal harmonies, supported by a distinctive bass line played by James Jamerson, one of the Motown session musicians known as The Funk Brothers.
David Ruffin’s lead vocals are powerful and expressive, conveying the joy and love in the lyrics. The instrumental arrangement is simple yet effective, with a guitar, piano, tambourine, and string section creating a bright, upbeat tempo. The song opens with a memorable guitar riff by Robert White (not to be confused with the co-writer/producer, Ronald White), which is recognised around the world as the signature of the song. The chorus, with its repeated affirmations of My girl, speaks to the universal feeling of love and contentment found in a cherished relationship. The song’s bridge and outro further emphasise this sentiment, creating a timeless message of happiness and gratitude for having someone special in one’s life.
The Temptations: Crafting Vocal Harmony
The Temptations, known for their exceptional vocal talents and choreography, brought My Girl to life with their harmonious background vocals, a signature element of their sound. This song marked a significant milestone for the group, being the first to feature David Ruffin as the lead vocalist.
Ruffin had joined the group in January 1964, replacing Elbridge Bryant, and had impressed Robinson with his rendition of The Drifters’ Under the Boardwalk at the 20 Grand nightclub in Detroit. Robinson saw Ruffin as a “sleeping giant” in the group with a unique voice that was “mellow” yet “gruff”, and decided to write a song that would showcase his vocal strengths and appeal to a wide audience.
He rehearsed the song with The Temptations over the next week and produced the recording session on December 21, 1964. The song was included on The Temptations’ 1965 album, The Temptations Sing Smokey, which featured songs written and produced by Robinson and other members of The Miracles. My Girl catapulted The Temptations to new heights of fame, becoming their first million-seller and a cornerstone in the soul genre.
Lyrical Analysis: Sunshine and Honey
The lyrics of My Girl are a masterclass in simplicity and depth. The opening lines, “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day,” immediately evoke a sense of warmth and joy, a theme that runs throughout the song. The song uses natural imagery, such as sunshine, flowers, birds, and honey, to describe the beauty and sweetness of the narrator’s girl.
The song also uses metaphors, such as “the month of May” and “a symphony,” to compare the girl to something that is pleasant and harmonious. The song avoids any negative or complex emotions and instead focuses on the positive and simple aspects of love. It is a celebration of the narrator’s feelings for his girl and a declaration of his loyalty and devotion to her, and also a compliment to the girl, who is portrayed as the source of the narrator’s happiness and the reason for his existence.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
My Girl by The Temptations is not just a song; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Its influence extends beyond the realm of music, becoming a part of the collective consciousness. The song’s success in 1965 marked a defining moment in the history of Motown and popular music, as it was the first #1 hit for a male vocal group on the Motown label and the first of four #1 hits for The Temptations.
Its enduring appeal is evident in the numerous covers by artists across various genres, such as Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, The Mamas & the Papas, Dolly Parton, and Boyz II Men, yet the original version by The Temptations remains unparalleled in its soulful depth and emotional resonance. The song has also been used in many movies, TV shows, and commercials, such as The Big Chill, Mannequin, Born on the Fourth of July, Sleeping with the Enemy, Munich, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, My Girl, and My Girl 2. The song is a timeless expression of happiness and gratitude for having someone special in one’s life, and it is a song that speaks to everybody.
The Temptations My Girl Lyrics
Verse 1
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May
I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way?
Chorus
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin’ ’bout my girl, my girl
Verse 2
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?
Chorus
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin’ ’bout my girl, my girl
Bridge
Ooh, ooh
Hey, hey, hey
Ooh, ooh
Hey, hey, hey
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Verse 3
I don’t need no money, fortune, or fame
I’ve got all the riches, baby, one man can claim
Well, I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way?
Chorus
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin’ ’bout my girl, my girl
(Talkin’ ’bout my girl)
Outro
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day (Woah, woah)
With my girl
I’ve even got the month of May
With my girl
Talkin’ ’bout, talkin ’bout, talkin ’bout my girl
Ooh, my girl
That’s all I can talk about is my girl
Why don’t you believe she’s all my girl
You might also like: