First Time Hearing The Temptations - “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” Reaction | Asia and BJ

Not every song is meant to be danced to. This is one of the best "soul songs" ever written and produced. The genius behind is is writer/producer Norman Whitfield.

When Otis of The Temptations first heard this he said -"this song is funkier than an unwashed armpit"

A masterpiece. 🎉 This was from a brief period where the traditional "soul groups" had to change gears a little to keep up with the psychedelic trend, including longer songs. It couldn't have been done better.

The 60's and 70's had some of the greatest soul and funk ever recorded. Detroit was the king of Motown.

The guys playing the instruments (sessions players) were known as The Funk Brothers. World class musicians from the Detroit area who played on all the Motown hits from 1959 till 1972. Motown moved to LA and that was pretty much the end of Motown records.

When this first came out, people were impressed with the reality of the lyrics with the great music included.

I think when Marvin Gaye did his What's Goin' On album and Stevie Wonder blew up, The Temptations realized they had to move into the 70's and they really did up their game.

Having lived as a young man when this song came out, I can tell you that it was played in ALL the clubs ( gay, straight, black, white, mixed ), and people danced their butts off to it! I'm almost 79 now, and it still makes me want to groove when I hear the opening bars. BJ was feelin' it, and I do believe he has the right take on it: It's a 'reality' song, but still sends out a vibe that gets people up on their feet. The Temptations are hands down the best of the genre, and will never be equalled.

This has been my jam for 60 years, never met my "sperm donor" but heard lots of things about his drinking, bar hoppin, womanizing ways, married 6 times & had 6 other kids besides me & when he died {alcoholism at 57} all he left us was alone ✌💖☮

3 words - “The Funk Brothers” 💜💜💜

This was another time, when music spoke to real feelings and the words meant something. The difference between the sadness of the words and the groove of the music symbolizes how people find a way to survive adversity through the strength, faith and the resilience of their soul. You could dance to it and you could cry to it, it meant everything on all levels fearlessly. Most of the greatest songs and stories of all time speak about being beaten down, struggling, rising up, overcoming and surviving. It was deep, it was personal and it was real.

This was a smash.. Grammy award winning.. it was the truth. It hit home for a lot of people. I was ten..I knew a lot of Rolling Stones in my life.. a Fathers Day classic 😂

Asia, I'm a semi pro songwriter. One of the first things I learned about lyric writing is-as long as you put an up-tempo beat to a song, you can write about almost anything (positive or otherwise). You and BJ are still fairly young. But people who like music and don't dance tend to concentrate more on the word content. Papa Was a Rolling Stone (1972) was a music changing release. It was released the same year as Marvin Gays What's Going On, Isaac Hayes' Shaft, Stevie Wonder's Music In My Mind & Talking Book albums. Curtis Mayfield released Superfly, and the Staple Singers released I'll Take You There. And this was only a very small amount of the music released that year. And these are some of the many reasons why people my age (I'm 69) aren't the least bit impressed by today's music. Love you & BJ----Keep on trucking!!!

Talk about a great, nostalgic, gone-bye era. The Four Tops, The Temptations, Smokey, Marvin, Diana and all of the rest of the greats. Glad I was there in real time. You made an old man happy. Thanks you guys

They DEFINITELY DON'T make music like this anymore!!! 🔥❤🔥

One of the best intros you will ever hear, just sit back , listen and enjoy the song.

This is one of the greatest songs of its era. You need to feel it from the first note. It is real. Deep. Powerful.

There’s another wonderful reactor who totally broke down sobbing at this song. His dad was just like that and this song hit him hard.😢😢😢

This song, 52 years old and the lyrics, is still relevant today. As are so many other songs from that era. That intro, a masterpiece.

My birthday is Sept 3rd…that’s why this song always resonates with me when I hear…then I just start grooovin’