Are you ready for the third instalment of the ABC of Motown advent calendar? I hope so, because todays song is from the incredibly talented vocal group, the Temptations. The song is “Cloud Nine” a US no 6 hit for the band in 1968. It reached number 15 in the UK. It was included on their 1969 album of the same name. The song was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Once again it was the Funk Brothers that were the band on the session.
It is a great showcase for the whole group trading vocals. In a sense you could argue that there isn’t really a lead vocalist on this song. It was also the first Temptations single featuring Dennis Edwards who had replaced David Ruffin. It has been suggested that the song is drug related and Berry Gordy is alleged to have had this view. The lyric about ‘riding high on cloud nine’ might suggest to some that he is right.
Yep it was a great session. Hear some of my latest on iTunes I am still in Detroit the city that drives your soul.
BS
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Barrett
I really appreciate your comment and I am very pleased to hear that you’re still recording. I will be checking out some of your new stuff on line this weekend.
Keep on rocking that soulful sound Mr S 🙂
Cheers
Bill
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[…] 3rd post about another Temptations song that he co-wrote with Norman Whitfield; “Cloud Nine” Click here to read that […]
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