Cloud Nine

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

Cloud Nine from 1969 was a turning point for The Temptations. It was the first complete studio album with Dennis Edwards, who had replaced David Ruffin after he was fired in June 1968. Producer Norman Whitfield took the group into psychedelic soul. The idea came from Otis Williams, who had talked about the funky style of Sly and the Family Stone and felt that the group's sound needed to be renewed. Until then they had had success with ballads such as My Girl.

In the title track all five members take turns as lead singer, over a funk-like accompaniment with wah-wah guitar. Run Away Child, Running Wild grows into a nine-minute epic, with an instrumental jam in the second half. The change of style divided older fans, but the album reached number four on the American pop chart and earned the group their first Grammy in 1969.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Cloud Nine3:32Apple Music ↗
2. 2I Heard It Through the Grapevine3:05Apple Music ↗
3. 3Runaway Child, Running Wild9:35Apple Music ↗
4. 4Love Is a Hurtin' Thing2:31Apple Music ↗
5. 5Hey Girl2:42Apple Music ↗
6. 6Why Did She Have To Leave Me (Why Did She Have To Go)2:00Apple Music ↗
7. 7I Need Your Lovin'2:42Apple Music ↗
8. 8Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me2:35Apple Music ↗
9. 9I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back)3:01Apple Music ↗
10. 10Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love2:32Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• Motown