Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971. This version of "Papa" was released as a single in early 1972, and peaked at number sixty-three on the pop charts and number twenty-four on the R&B charts. Later in 1972, Whitfield, who also produced the song, took "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" and remade it as a twelve-minute record for The Temptations, which was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards in 1973. While the original Undisputed Truth version of the song has been largely forgotten... (info from wiki).
Thanks Gerard VM (audio) and Dick R (artwork).
At first the group did not like this song! But Norman Whitfield knew he had something when they recorded it.
bubbajackification 1 month ago
The bass is of "the ghetto"from donnie hattaway!!!Beautiful version indeed
slimabbas 3 months ago
wow 45
TheRarewoman 3 months ago
ALMIGHTY MOTOWN....
MegaMusicman09 4 months ago
LOVEEEEEEE THIS VERSION =) thank you !
3Glimpse3 4 months ago
Why does the song begin by "The ghetto - Donny athaway" ?
0killan 5 months ago
Just heard about this version today, classy stuff. When i heard the intro i said (George Benson - The Ghetto) same notes but Benson has a lower pitch. And do hear Stevie Wonders version live,messing around with his talk box, THATS freakin awesome, check it out: watch?v=ImH_HdCqGlY&feature=channel_video_title
Stay Strong!
trademark1874 5 months ago
I'm digging this version, I love hearing old stuff and it being all new to me!
jtstone33 6 months ago
nobody does a song like the Tempts. The Tempts always have the best version hands down,their voices are too unique
tuzwol 7 months ago
Funkadelic's Eddie Maggot Brain Hazel on this one
chiknfulio 8 months ago