Papa Was a Rollin' Stone

The Temptations

About Papa Was a Rollin' Stone

"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song performed by Motown recording act the Undisputed Truth. It was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1971, and released as a single in May 1972. It peaked at number 63 on the Pop Charts and number 24 on the R&B Charts. The song was included on the Undisputed Truth's album Law of the Land (1973). Later that year, Whitfield, who also produced the song, took "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" and remade it as a 12-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, the Temptations' version of the song has been an enduring and influential soul classic. It was ranked number 169 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, one of the group's three songs on the list. In retrospect, the Temptations' Otis Williams considers "Papa" to be the last real classic the group recorded (it would be the Temptations' last number one hit and would win them their second and final Grammy Award in a competitive category). 


Year:
2000
6:59
90 
#2

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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, son

Papa 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 alone

Hey 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 said

Papa 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 alone

Hey 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, son

Papa 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 alone

(I said) Papa was a rolling stone (yes he was, my son)
Wherever 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)

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The Temptations

The Temptations are an American vocal group known for their success in the 60s and 70s at Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music. Known for their recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and flashy onstage suits, the Temptations have been said to be as influential to soul as The Beatles are to pop and rock. more »

12 fans

Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

About the song's creation
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song written by the highly successful Motown songwriting and production team Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1971.
Recording
The song was initially recorded and released by the Motown act "The Undisputed Truth" in 1972. However, it's more famously known by the Grammy-winning rendition by American soul group "The Temptations."
Hit status
"The Temptations's" version of the song became their last number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, spending two weeks in the top spot in December 1972.
Song length
Quite unusually for a hit song, the version by "The Temptations" lasts over 11 minutes, thus making it one of the longer popular hits in music history.
Musical style
The song bears the influences of psychedelic soul and funk music, and is regarded as one of the masterpieces of the '70s Motown production.
Awards
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" won three Grammys in 1973. These included awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus, Best R&B Instrumental Performance, and Best R&B Song.
Song content
The song tells the story of a father who was absent and didn't provide for his family. The lyrics go "Papa was a rollin' stone, Wherever he laid his hat was his home, And when he died, All he left us was alone".
Lyrics presentation
Instead of harmonizing like in many of their earlier hits, each member of "The Temptations" takes a different verse, creating an individualistic style.
Unique introduction
The introduction of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is noteworthy; it contains a highly recognizable four-minute instrumental section before the lyrics begin.
Cultural impact
The song has been covered by multiple other artists and featured prominently in movies and TV shows, reinforcing its enduring cultural relevance.
Notable use
Its distinctive bassline has been sampled by various artists like George Michael and Run-DMC, underlining its impactful presence in the music production landscape.

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    Papa Was a Rollin' Stone

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1972

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