The Temptations-Smiling Faces

[@dienglee]

OUTSTANDING!!!!! Eddie just flows on this smooth, haunting, musical masterpiece....BIG up to Mr. Norman Whitield. He was a genius who was totally underrrated.

[@rodolfo41016]

Norman Whitfield was a genius!!

[@johnniewilson3002]

Some of the best music you will ever hear in your life time there hits records will never die. The temptations.

[@hasake8873]

Motown at its best. The Temptations, the Funk Brothers, with Jamerson laying down an awesome bassline, and a nice guitar solo at the bridge by Dennis Coffey. Whitfield was an amazing producer.

[@Thefunksoulbro]

True, I was lucky enough to see them live at a Motown weekend 😎

[@sseventones]

Calling this a Masterpiece Seems like a big understatement, I Salute the Temptations Definitely The Best music I’ve ever heard

[@Kmq1968]

MAN THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, I NEVER KNEW THE TEMPTATIONS DID THIS FIRST, UNTIL I GOOGLED IT, MUSIC BACK THEN, WAS THE TRUTH..

[@donnamatthews5537]

I’m just leaving this information lol

[@shjakes]

This is such a classic arrangement .Know that they don't lay tracks like this anymore.. This is ALL about the music! and this is Grown Folks music! I have a very scratched up vinyl album of with this song and I still can't bring myself to throw it out. My favorite part is from 7.37+ with all that lush arrangement...strings 'N thangs, thumping bass and funky Blaxploitation guitar riff !! Thanks for posting!

[@marcussampson6336]

Yo, at 9:43 the serious percussion and bass take you to place few R&B songs would ever dare to go. Pure Genius!!

[@dennisward1206]

This is a classic motown hit that was played on a late night Motor city rock station almost every day in the late 60's early 70's! Needless to say it got played at some pretty decent volume as the instrumentation is flawless as are the lyrics and vocals!!

[@elfinia]

I love this version. Played "sky's the limit" back in the day....driving along in the van, playing loud. Ahead of it's time and best track on the album. LOVE IT. I love the mellow "cheerfulness" of it...That's irony...I love the slow pace ...cooool ! Adore the funkiness.Now , if only I had listened to the message all those years ago. LOL.

[@pecanchocolatedeluxe]

The Temptations could cover any song and make it sound original!

[@graemelove7617]

This was the original version. It was later in the year a top 5 hit for The Undisputed Truth, also on Motown.

[@rashawnda-professor2999]

True, but The Temptations had originally recorded this song 1st for their album Sky's The Limit. This was scheduled to be the follow up single to Just My Imagination (Running Away From Me), but after Eddie who sang lead on the song left the group, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong had to change gears and they decided to have The Undisputed Truth record their version of the song while The Temptations re-recorded their classic It's Summer.

[@johnbrocklehurst3570]

2016 and still listening-Long live Motown and of course the totally remarkable The Undisputed Truth and The Temptations.

[@FollowScripture]

Never heard this version by the Temptations ...Love it, like all of this groups music.. Talent we just do not see anymore

[@michaelvicks505]

Love these lyrics they are so prophetic like the other social message songs.

[@Multi1628]

~ R.I.P. Marvin Gaye, Florence Ballard, and Paul Williams. Hats off also to the Undisputed Truth. 1971, and still fresh, even abbreviated, in 2018. Respect. Cheers, DAVEDJ ~

[@rashawnda-professor2999]

The Undispiuted released a new album around 2018-2019

[@ms.capricorn4540]

Excellent guitar playing, music, rhythm, melody, etc.

[@janiedemedeiros9470]

Excellent recording & sound. The Temptations were always professional & elegant music performers. Even with the ups & downs in their life...they were human. Thank you so much for uploading this song & for sharing it! TY

[@alanjpoole7274]

... and what a fantastic group the Undisputed Truth were too. Terrible underrated and under valued at Motown but boy didn't they make some fantastic records/albums whilst there. (Part of Norman Whitfield's roster of artists).

[@JersiPeach]

The instrumentals in this song are sweet.

[@LizHarriton]

One of the Greats for All time history ❤ 👍

[@sneeweeble]

i love the instrumentation in this song

[@melvinpruitt3907]

Brother Norman produced some monster tracks for these already smokin hot Tempting Temps.

[@joemusic13]

This track deliver the goods of being one of the best of the Temptations. The music score was excellent s in every sense of the word. I also loved the length of the song it made enjoy the movements of the whole track. Today group can't even compare to this in music and vocals. Motown Record label took it in that day as the best ever. Dunmore Music of Monee IL.

[@hasake8873]

Love this song. I especially like Jamerson bass work.

[@dbookin]

This song, like many from the late 60's and 70's are still relevant today!

[@phyllisstevens4839]

yes it is, expectably the 3 stooges.

[@kimjameson7979]

Much like the talking heads in MAINSTREAM MISLEADIA today.

[@jthoen61]

This is a great song that is truly timeless. It's relevant today.

[@shjakes]

This is what yuh call "An Arrangement"! My vinyl copy is scratched to shreds but afater all these years I still don't have the heart to throw it out. Check that Mod Squad" guitar going on in background..Ten minutes...pen minutes, this version is going in my "Favourites!!! Lawd have mercy! This is grown folks music!! Thanks for posting Disconights1987!

[@05bobbo50]

Cool in 1970 & still stands the test of time today "the impossible task, is to figure out which of the smiles is a mask"..so true of our politicians of today..love it!!

[@HoneyKone]

@lrwsoreal "Smiling Faces Sometimes" was covered by The Undisputed Truth. The song was designated to be the follow-up release to The Temptations' "Just My Imagination." However, Eddie Kendricks had just left the group and had a prominent lead vocal in "Smiling Faces" so producer Norman Whitfield decided to release The Undisputed Truth's version instead which went top 5.

[@jeffdennis905]

I think this is the best version of Smiling faces!

[@thehonestybroker4493]

No way to me Billie Rae Calvin makes the undisputed truths version much better. She was outstanding

[@ppwilbon]

I like David Ruffin version the best

[@jeffdennis905]

I like all of them.

[@oldman5719]

6:28 6:31​@@thehonestybroker4493

[@oldman5719]

​@thehonestybroker4493 you lost your mind

[@tedkay]

This song was done and made popular by another Motown group! called, The Undisputed Truth! that's the one we all know! Motown was talented enough to pen a song and release it on several different artist, and make each version to fit that particular group or solo act with thier own signature sound! That's what you call! The Motown Sound! aka Motown MAGIC!! the sound of young America.

[@michaelvicks5606]

Yes that is my words exactly haunting it sends a chill down your spine I find myself singing covers of these song I just did actually. Love my Tempts and classic soul the best

[@TheDetroitredd313]

Thanks for posting this. I love the pic of them Temps sitting on Scott Fountain on Belle Isle in Detroit. Classic shit, when all the originals were still together.

[@wlliebowen2043]

Dennis Edwards replaced David Ruffin.Who replaced Eldridge Bryant.

[@Doll2018]

A MASTERPIECE never ages🔥

[@DiscoNights1987]

Haha...it doesn't sound weird at all. I mean look at him!!! How can anyone NOT fall for him? That smile, that face....EVERYTHING!! Woo! But it still breaks my heart that he is no longer with us. Everytime I think about it I just can't believe he's really gone. :'-( The Thin Man lives on!!!

[@shjakes]

The Orchestration on this song alone is worth buying the album. It is real a pity my vinyl version is so scratched from overuse…now I'm gonna have to buy the digital version.

[@sweetlatina53]

Another of the temptations greatest hits of our time that will live on and on and forever in our hearts may they rips these soul brothers rips💜💐🥀🤪

[@perkperking317]

the greatest group to do it !!

[@1skunkus]

I never knew this existed. superior soul at its best, flowing like massive attack. this is one bad tune (way cool), thanks for posting it. kind of like Masterpiece by them.

[@EricGentile]

all the versions of this song get the message across after all this is the age of the narcissist...

[@ClarenceMosley]

True That !

[@marcuseagland5589]

And haters which aren't always enemies bc enemies are real w/u it's haters you don't always see coning

[@unyquelykim]

Eric Gentile It's ALWAYS been the "age of the narcissist" Sadly, they go back centuries...

[@jrynds]

Thanks for the whole version of this. This is a testament to the great arrangers Motown had. I study orchestration with songs like this. If I work as hard as MJ, I know I will get there!!!!!!

[@wolfieshylo]

I LOVE this version of the song Smiling Faces. It was a major introduction for me into the world of spirit communication back in 1972. A friend of mine was murdered in Denver Colorado and she began sending this music to me as a means of helping her understand and get past what happened to her. It was a real life changer for me. It was about 30 odd years later a friend of mine helped me help her finally move on to the other side. It is so haunting to listen to this particular version when you think of it from a spiritual perspective.

[@jeffreycoogan09]

Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown records. This is the original version recorded by the Temptations in 1971. Producer Norman Whitfield had the song re-recorded by the Undisputed Truth later that year.

[@hasake8873]

Later, Whitfield produced this song for David Ruffin. It's a very nice bluesy version.

[@rickw1100]

Norman Whitfield took a cue from the Beatles and the Doors that long versions with instrumental interludes create a theme that can run throughout an album-transforming it from a collection of singles to a thematically connected vision that stands as a single connected theme and message. Brilliant !

[@minikapreston4133]

I love this mellow version..I like instrumentals a lot so this is perfect! Brings out the musicians talents as well as singers

[@DiscoNights1987]

Lol you're welcome and woo, Eddie was a fine, fine man!!! Can't get enough of him!! Hehe...thanks for watching!

[@dvlaries]

I've read more than one place, that had Eddie not left the group when he did, this would have been the next single out of "Sky's The Limit" after Just My Imagination. That both is and isn't a shame when you ponder how Motown might have slashed it up length-wise to make it radio friendly. Just My Imagination was strong enough alone to make you buy the album, and once you discovered this too, you never forgot it.

[@brittr9996]

The introduction gives me chills .... classic ✨

[@sheilasams5065]

I LOVE THIS SONG by the Undisputed Truth but also this one by THE TEMPTS TOO✌💖🌺😎

[@brybrytrudy]

the instrumentals in temptations songs are groovy, why would anybody dislike them

[@stevesewall]

Great cut, thanks DN. Got the tricky oboe line down, stood up, hummed along & got deep into the groove as it built up and up. Satisfying!

[@maureenelliston3461]

Love it. I didn't know the original was by The Undisputed Truth until I listened to it on Facebook recently.

[@1919sedonia]

The Mighty Temptations are amazing there is no one else like them. I grew up on this song at it is so true. Beware of the pat on the back. so real, so real.

[@WonderfulWil1]

This is the original version of the song. This was on the "Sky Is The Limit" Album (The last album that Eddie Kendricks & Paul Williams recorded with The Temptations.)

[@shirleyriley7185]

Just love the temptations oh my irreplacable music

[@msmasterjam]

finally heard the tempts version! i enjoyed this very much! definately thumbs up! 5 star! also i love the undisputed truth's version! they both are 5 stars as far as i am concerned! please whatever you do dont knock the tempts version!Peace!

[@rollerchickable]

I LOVE THIS SONG IT A TRUE SONG, TEMPTATIONS FOREVER, THANKS FOR SHARING..

[@bustabass9025]

"Sky's the Limit"...the quintessential psychedelic soul offering from the first new era of the Temptations, with this track and its haunting oboe and muted trumpet solos anchored to an unforgettable bass line, as its signature statement. Eddie's shimmering falsetto lead voice is as clear and bright here as it would ever be. Unfortunately, it would be Paul and Eddie's last session...and then there were two.👑🎸🎵

[@TheWorshipful2008]

@bjc19199 People always get it twisted that The Undisputed Truth were teh first to do this song. "Sky's The Limit" came out long before the Undisputed Truth's version. This is the killer here!

[@loosestudios]

Ruffin's first solo single was a song originally intended for the Temptations, "My Whole World Ended . The single from the album entitled My Whole World Ended was released in 1969 Ruffin continued releasing solo material in1975'"Walk Away From Love", produced by Van McCoy, Ruffin was pronounced dead on June 1, 1991,. The case is considered to be an accidental overdose, although there are some questions surrounding the circumstances Michael Jackson covered some of the expenses of his funeral,

[@elaineDPW]

I remember some classmates started their own band (Woodward Elementary School,Detroit),we had great teachers, Mr. Smith-instrumental, Miss Dickey-glee club. They were good enough to catch the ear of Berry Gordy. I was in high school, when they told me that Kendricks was leaving to start a solo career. When I told my friends, ( by then were were at different schools)they did not believe me until a few months later when it came true. No the band-classmates-did not make it; each went his own way.

[@Lynn-wf3ys]

Nothing better than the Temptations from the prospective of a baby boomer - best all time group as far as I'm concerned. Love'em dearly... Thanks for posting.

[@shytalker]

+Lynn Yes you are correct in your comment

[@lateaz1641]

I never knew The Temps, made a version of this song,,,but now matter who sings, this song,,,it rings of TRUTH!!!!.....

[@maryharris8723]

This song is the honest truth. Smiling in your face stabbing you in the back.

[@waylandporter1766]

Mary Harris So what does religion know?

[@MyFutbol14]

Mary Harris O'Jays Back Stabbers. I never knew The Temptations sang this. Is this original or a cover by these great vocalists? You learn something new every day...

[@maryharris8723]

MyFutbol14 this song came out before I was born! My mom told me about the message it gives. She told me to learn from it. I did!

[@dennisward1206]

+Mary Harris Good Mom, good for you!

[@stringname.youtubegooglepl2505]

This is the original version. The Undisputed Truth recorded their version later the same year and it reached the Billboard Top 10.

[@pakorino1]

Was diggin on this song back in the day . Still great Psycadelic rock soul . The Temps many songs bring very good memories. Thank you for posting. "Pako"

[@adilo4984]

Trumpet from 3:06 to 4:02 is prodigious. Great version and very rich

[@mjscarousal]

My favorite song by the Temps and the BEST version

[@delspaco]

excellent picture show, great, goes with the song perfect, wish i could copy it. awesome version of a great song...this version almost has a psychedelic feel...

[@jody808]

i love that cover artwork, great album of it's time

[@memmory1000]

Great history lesson. Didn't know that N.W. would have more than one group cut the same songs. Also, I wonder if there would have been two versions of this from the Temptations. They could have done it the way Undisputed Truth and this way. Wow!! Thanks for allowing me to hear this version.

[@Nissi210]

I love hearing all of the instruments in this song. I grew up with the Temptations and clearly remember going to the Apollo to see them in their colorful suits and great choreography! What handsome men they were. I cannot believe all these guys are no longer here. But their music live on. The song cut short but I was not surprise because I recalled this being a 12 inch long playing record. Anyone remember dancing to those?lol

[@delicatedell5015]

Nissi210 Two of those guys are still here.

[@kamscott3382]

Nissi210 Otis is alive only member left from the original

[@LESTER7L1]

The lyrics of this song ARE VERY TRUE! Especially in our current times!Thanks for sharing this interesting version of this song.

[@ms.capricorn4540]

Phenomenal!

[@poeme007]

This is fantastic. First time hearing this version. IM still smiling-:)

[@jf73441]

I have the album. And it still sounds great. A few pops here and there.

[@elaineDPW]

Motown has always had different groups/soloists cover the same songs. Example, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Marvin Gaye. "Get Ready Cause Here I Come" Temptations, Rare Earth. I was in elementary school when the Temps did "Get Ready...I was in High School when Rare Earth did it. Smokey!!!! Holland-Dozier-Holland!!!

[@rebaseaton5437]

classics never die, that's why they get repeated, always relevent

[@58manoa]

LOVE IT ! Sounds like a Big Movie Soundtrack

[@timmy841212]

Thanks for going through that grueling process to uploading it at all. KZbin is ridiculous when it comes to minute limits. LOL Thanks. :)

[@WonderfulWil1]

Actually This is on the "Sky Is The Limit" Album That was released before The Undisputed Truth recorded they're version.

[@eskay67]

I enjoyed this...I have this album, but have not played it in awhile. Thanks for posting.

[@elaineDPW]

YES,YES,OH YES! I would BLAST This when my parents were out of the house, Dance and Prance, Strut, Break Down then just listen. I love this and it's much better than "Papa was A Rolling Stone".

[@05bobbo50]

Agree w/'storm 9181'-a classic since it came out-still have the original LP..Luv it!!

[@elaineDPW]

I danced to this until my feet bled and kept going, the Whole song, over and over. YES!

[@MsPaulagina]

I love this song..... it has a lot of truth in it. Love it.

[@virginiamontgomery8095]

Eddie Hendricks with the smooth voice love his voice.

[@Arrbyy]

Very cool. Very smooth. Very yesterday, which I miss very much.

[@juliuscasey940]

The Greatest Male Group of All Time............

[@divadoll606]

Definitely a cut above the rest. So, so many hits.

[@TheQ97]

Uploaded Person . . . don't worry 'bout time . . . . . . STILL, An Excellent Post!!! THANKS!!! Have A Great Summer!!!!

[@RIDETHESUNSHINE]

Thank You for posting as much as you could!!! GO YOU!!! Will

[@alldaymusicman]

Back in the day this version was played at the parties BEFORE Undisputed Truth's version. I always liked this version best, maybe it's the memories, but this has a groove that can not be denied.

[@blondwiththewind]

Love the Temps!!! Nice version...different vibe than "The Undisputed Truth" recording....same message, tho...true then...true today.

[@WildWicks]

@jrynds You r so correct as a matter of fact the UT did it first, and that some of the musicans who played on both tracks were members who were to become "Rose Royce"

[@jrynds]

I don't choose UT version over the Tempts because Norman Whitfield produced both versions if I'm not mistaking. That's the mark of a genius-same producer two different styles and sounds. I love this version because of the orchestra.

[@1skunkus]

@DiscoNights1987 No, a nice long intro is great, makes for driving at night a pleasure.

[@gumbyonacid]

this is smoking ...never heard this version before------thanks

[@WhereItAllStarted]

This was supposed to be the Tempts next single after "Just My Imagination", but Eddie left the group so it was handed to Undisputed Truth. Also, check out David Ruffin's version.

[@GarudaMan9]

@83bubble "Sky's the Limit" may no longer be in print on CD (it might be cheaper to find it on vinyl record). "Smiling Faces Sometimes" is also on the Temptations CD compilation "Psychedelic Soul".

[@sweetrob51]

I 'm a die hard temptations fan.They can sing Mary had a Little Lamb and would sound great to me.Check out "Let It Be" by them and see what you think.

[@DAS603]

No doubt about it! This is get up and get down music. They don't play this stuff on the radio anymore.

[@kiki380ify]

quelle chanson fantastique !!!!! aussi bien sinon même mieux que "Papa was a rolling stone " et ce n'est pas peu dire !!!!! j'adoooooore !!!!!

[@solongago57]

According to Wikipedia, this was the first version of the song, recorded later that same year by The Undisputed Truth.

[@steelkeez7700]

Eddie Kendricks on lead 🔥🌋

[@mrsnita1]

Smiling faces sometimes.....pretends is right. On a personal stand point this song is appropriate in alot of cases, most cases. On a musical stand point its a brilliant song sung beautifully by the Tempting Temptations....

[@jody808]

one of my favorite Tempt albums