About The Song
“The Temptations – Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” is a classic soul song released in 1972 by The Temptations, an iconic Motown group. Here’s a short description and five facts about the song:
Description: “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” is a soul masterpiece that tells the story of a father who lived a troubled life, leaving behind a legacy of instability for his family. The song features a distinctive bassline and a haunting melody, contributing to its status as one of The Temptations’ most memorable and enduring tracks.
Facts:
- Release and Chart Success: The song was released on May 9, 1972, and it quickly climbed the charts. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for three weeks. It also topped the R&B charts.
- Long Version: One of the notable aspects of the song is its extended version. The album version and the single version differ significantly in length, with the album version running over 11 minutes. The extended instrumental introduction adds to the atmospheric and epic feel of the song.
- Songwriting and Production: “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, who were prolific songwriters and producers for Motown. The production of the song is characterized by its rich orchestration and layered instrumentation.
- Grammy Award: The Temptations won two Grammy Awards for “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” in 1973. The song earned them the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group and Best R&B Instrumental Performance.
- Cultural Impact: The song has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been covered and sampled by numerous artists over the years, and its distinctive bassline has been particularly influential in the development of hip-hop music. The lyrics and themes of the song resonate with listeners due to their portrayal of family struggles and the consequences of a troubled past.
Video
Lyrics
It was the third of September
That day I’ll always remember, yes I will
‘Cause that was the day that my daddy died
I never got a chance to see him
Never heard nothin’ but bad things about him
Momma I’m depending on you to tell me the truth
Momma just hung her head and said, sonPapa was a rolling stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Papa was a rolling stone (my son, yeah)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was aloneHey Momma!
Is it true what they say that Papa never worked a day in his life
And Momma, some bad talk goin’ round town sayin’ that
Papa had three outside children
And another wife, and that ain’t right
Heard some talk Papa doing some storefront preachin’
Talking about saving souls and all the time leechin’
Dealing in dirt, and stealing in the name of the Lord
Momma just hung her head and saidPapa was a rolling stone (my son)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Hey Papa was a rolling stone (dad gumma it)
Where ever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was aloneHey Momma
I heard Papa called himself a jack-of-all-trades
Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave
Folks say Papa would beg, borrow, steal
To pay his bills
Hey Momma
Folks say Papa never was much on thinking
Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking
Momma I’m depending on you to tell me the truth
Momma looked up with a tear in her eye and said, sonPapa was a rolling stone (well, well, well, well)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone (lone, lone, lone, alone)
Papa was a rolling stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was aloneWherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
My daddy was
Papa was a rolling stone (yes he was, yeah)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home)