50 Years of “Just My Imagination”
Thursday, January 14, 2021, marked 50 years since the release of one of the greatest songs ever recorded: “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” by The Temptations.
According to the song’s writers, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, “Just My Imagination” was written in 1969, but was not recorded because the group was in the middle of a string of psychedelic soul hits. Even though it was a return to the group’s soul origins, it was believed that it would have a jarring effect when juxtaposed with the group’s hits at the time. The song was kept to be recorded at a later date, and that later date came the following year when “Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)” underperformed on the charts.
“Just My Imagination” was recorded during an acrimonious time for The Temptations. The members were constantly arguing and are said to have thrown hands at each other quite regularly. The conflict got so bad that Eddie Kendricks, who sings most of the lead vocals on track, left the group soon after. Paul Williams, the only other member to get a lead part on the song, also left (but due to health reasons).
“Just My Imagination” tells a story about a romantic fantasy that soon ends when the protagonist comes back to reality, and for whatever reason, that theme is popular around here. The song was a major success for the group, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and listed among the biggest songs of the year. However, the charts don’t tell the full story. “Just My Imagination” is the kind of the song for which the word “classic” was made. It has transcended generations in ways that very few have, and has become a signature hit not just for the group, but for a specific time in popular music.
Below is the group’s performance of “Just My Imagination” on The Ed Sullivan Show — the only performance of the song featuring the members who sang on the recorded version. Eddie Kendricks left the group just days later.
No Comments