Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tuesday 12-inch Flashback: ‘Standing On the Top’

I always felt a little sad for the Temptations when this record was out.

Yeah, I know it was a hit. But after everything the Tempts achieved in show business, only to have Rick James barking “Temptations, sing!” at ’em... that shit wasn’t right.

Nice bridge, though. Real nice bridge.

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10 comments:

  1. HIMNovember 3, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    I hear you, but I really dig that fact that they reunited some of the original members on this album and David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks still sounded great on this track.

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  2. bklyn6November 3, 2009 at 11:11 AM

    He "barked" at them on "Super Freak" too. :p

    I always felt a little sad for the Temptations when this record was out.

    UBM, perhaps the Temps inspired Rick James and he was paying it forward. (I'm sure the Temps got paid.)

    Like Sly Stone on Jesse Johnson's "Crazay."

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  3. Michael MurrayNovember 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    I never thought of it as a sign of disrespect. I actually thought it was cool at the time, just like his "blow Roy Ayers" line.

    When Stevie calls on Dizzy to blow on "Do I Do"....just cool as hell.

    We were watching Unsung on Teena Marie and they basically said that after Street Songs dropped, James owned Motown. This song would have probably been a bigger hit without them.

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  4. HIMNovember 3, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    I don't know about that. I think the fact that the Temps pulled it off, showed the the younger cats that they still had gas in the tank. Dennis, Eddie and David all sounded good on the Funk.

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  5. junebugNovember 3, 2009 at 2:01 PM

    "Like Sly Stone on Jesse Johnson's "Crazay." - bklyn6

    Or Sly Stone on "Funk Gets Stronger" by Funkadelic, off of The Electric Spanking Of War Babies album.

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  6. ronnie brownNovember 3, 2009 at 6:11 PM

    have to disagree with you brother, classic Temps with Rick James in his producing prime...if this is a "B-list jam", it's beats anything playin' on the radio these days...

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  7. Invisible WomanNovember 3, 2009 at 7:25 PM

    "I always felt a little sad for the Temptations when this record was out."

    I got yo' back UBM...I thought the same thing :-(

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  8. Undercover Black ManNovember 4, 2009 at 6:47 AM

    ^ Thank you, sista.

    He also got the Tempts calling out old Rick James lyrics! ("And what's L-7 square?")

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  9. Lola GetsNovember 5, 2009 at 7:42 PM

    "Can you understand it what I'm talkin' about
    When I say that funk is here to stay?"

    Im sorry, but I do disagree with you. I LOVED this song - and I still do!

    "The funk is here to stay!"

    L

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  10. SuperbizzeeNovember 6, 2009 at 1:42 AM

    Teena used the same line when she featured the Tempts on her joint "It Must Be Magic." Another dope cut from the early 80s.

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