Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone

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Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Produced by: Whitfield
Released: Oct. '72 on Gordy
Charts: 16 weeks
Top spot: No. 1

At first the Temptations hated this song, especially Dennis Edwards: His father had died on September 3rd, just like the papa in the song. Then "Papa" topped the charts, and it "kind of grew on us," said Temptation Otis Williams.

Appears on: Anthology (Motown)

Next: Losing My Religion

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