List of songs written by Norman Whitfield

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This is a list of songs written by Norman Whitfield , either as a sole writer or with others

Chart hits and other notable songs written by Norman Whitfield

YearSong [1] Original artist [1] Co-writer(s) with Whitfield [1] U.S. Pop [2] U.S. R&B [3] UK Singles Chart [4] Other charting versions, [1] and notes
1962"Pride and Joy" Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye , William "Mickey" Stevenson 102-
"Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)"Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye, Barrett Strong ---1983: Paul Young, #70 pop, #1 UK
1964"The Girl's Alright with Me" The Temptations Eddie Holland Jr. , Eddie Kendricks -39-1980: Masterpiece, #81 R&B
"Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)"The TemptationsEddie Holland Jr.2611-
"Needle in a Haystack" The Velvelettes William "Mickey" Stevenson4531-
"Too Many Fish in the Sea" The Marvelettes Eddie Holland Jr.255-1966: Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, #24 pop
1965"He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'"The VelvelettesEddie Holland Jr., William "Mickey" Stevenson6421-1982: Bananarama, #5 UK
"Everybody Needs Love"The TemptationsEddie Holland Jr.---1967: Gladys Knight & the Pips, #39 pop, #3 R&B
1966"Ain't Too Proud to Beg"The TemptationsEddie Holland Jr.131211974: The Rolling Stones, #17 pop
1989: Rick Astley, #89 pop
"Beauty Is Only Skin Deep"The TemptationsEddie Holland Jr.31181989: Aswad, #31 UK
"(I Know) I'm Losing You"The TemptationsEddie Holland Jr., Cornelius Grant 81191970: Rare Earth, #7 pop, #20 R&B
1971: Rod Stewart and the Faces, #24 pop
1986: Uptown, #87 pop
1967"Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got" Jimmy Ruffin Barrett Strong2914261969: Marvin Gaye (#67 pop, #27 R&B)
"Don't You Miss Me a Little Bit Baby"Jimmy RuffinBarrett Strong, Rodger Penzabene 6827-
"You're My Everything"The TemptationsCornelius Grant, Rodger Penzabene63-
"(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need "The TemptationsEddie Holland Jr.143-
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"Gladys Knight & the PipsBarrett Strong21471968: King Curtis & The Kingpins, #83 pop
1968: Marvin Gaye, #1 pop, #1 R&B, #1 UK
1974: Marvin Gaye, #53 UK (reissue)
1976: Creedence Clearwater Revival, #43 pop
1981: Roger, #79 pop, #1 R&B
1986: Edwin Starr, #83 UK
1986: Marvin Gaye, #8 UK (reissue)
1988: The California Raisins, #84 pop
1968"I Wish It Would Rain"The TemptationsBarrett Strong, Rodger Penzabene41451968: Gladys Knight & the Pips, #41 pop, #15 R&B
1973: The Faces, #8 UK
"The End of Our Road"Gladys Knight & the PipsBarrett Strong, Rodger Penzabene155-1970: Marvin Gaye, #40 pop, #7 R&B
"I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)"The TemptationsBarrett Strong, Rodger Penzabene13147
"It Should Have Been Me"Gladys Knight & the PipsWilliam "Mickey" Stevenson143-1976: Yvonne Fair, #85 pop, #5 UK
1991: Adeva, #48 UK
"Please Return Your Love to Me"The TemptationsBarrett Strong264-
"Cloud Nine"The TemptationsBarrett Strong62151969: Mongo Santamaria, #32 pop, #33 R&B
1969"Runaway Child, Running Wild"The TemptationsBarrett Strong61-
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby"Marvin GayeBarrett Strong, Janie Bradford 4151969: The Billy Mitchell Group, #49 R&B
1970: The Young Vandals, #46 R&B
1972: Mardi Gras, #19 UK
"Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down"The TemptationsBarrett Strong202-
"I Can't Get Next to You"The TemptationsBarrett Strong11131970: Al Green, #60 pop, #11 R&B
"Message from a Black Man"The TemptationsBarrett Strong---1970: The Whatnauts, #99 pop, #19 R&B
"That's the Way Love Is"Marvin GayeBarrett Strong72-
"Friendship Train"Gladys Knight & the PipsBarrett Strong172-
"Don't Let Him Take Your Love from Me" The Four Tops Barrett Strong4525-
1970"How Can I Forget"Marvin GayeBarrett Strong4118-
"Psychedelic Shack"The TemptationsBarrett Strong7233
"You Need Love Like I Do (Don't You)"Gladys Knight & the PipsBarrett Strong253-2000: Tom Jones and Heather Small, #24 UK
"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) "The TemptationsBarrett Strong327
"War" Edwin Starr Barrett Strong1331986: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (live), #8 pop, #18 UK
"Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)"The TemptationsBarrett Strong338-
"I Gotta Let You Go" Martha Reeves and the Vandellas 9343-
"Stop the War Now"Edwin StarrBarrett Strong26533
1971"Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)"The TemptationsBarrett Strong1181984: Lillo Thomas, #79 R&B
1998: The McGanns, #59 UK
2008: Boyz II Men, #83 R&B
"Save My Love for a Rainy Day" The Undisputed Truth Rodger Penzabene-43-
"Funky Music Sho' 'Nuff Turns Me On"Edwin StarrBarrett Strong646-1972: The Temptations, #27 R&B
1974: Yvonne Fair, #32 R&B
2000: The Utah Saints, #23 UK
"Smiling Faces Sometimes "The Undisputed TruthBarrett Strong32-
"It's Summer"The TemptationsBarrett Strong5129-
"Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) "The TemptationsBarrett Strong18832
"You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth "The Undisputed TruthBarrett Strong7224-
1972"What It Is"The Undisputed TruthBarrett Strong7135-
"Take a Look Around"The TemptationsBarrett Strong301013
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"The Undisputed TruthBarrett Strong6324-1972: The Temptations, #1 pop, #5 R&B, #14 UK
1982: Wolf, #55 pop, #47 R&B
1987: The Temptations (remix) #31 UK
1990: Was (Not Was), #60 R&B, #12 UK
1973"Masterpiece"The Temptations7153
"Mama I Got a Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)"The Undisputed Truth4646-
"Law of the Land"The Undisputed Truth-40-1973: The Temptations, #41 UK
"The Plastic Man"The Temptations408-
"Hey Girl (I Like Your Style) "The Temptations352-
"Hum Along and Dance" Rare Earth Barrett Strong-95-
"You've Got My Soul on Fire"Edwin Starr-4054
"Let Your Hair Down"The Temptations271-
1974"Heavenly"The Temptations438-
"You've Got My Soul on Fire"The Temptations748-
"Help Yourself"The Undisputed Truth6319-
"I'm a Fool for You"The Undisputed Truth-39-
"Walk Out the Door If You Wanna"Yvonne Fair-60-
1975"UFO's"The Undisputed Truth-62-
"Love Ain't No Toy"Yvonne Fair-96-1987: Amii Stewart, #99 UK
"Higher Than High"The Undisputed Truth-77-
1976"Car Wash" Rose Royce 1191988: Rose Royce, #20 UK (reissue)
1998: Rose Royce, #18 UK (reissue)
"You Gotta Believe" The Pointer Sisters -14-
1977"Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is"Rose Royce--44
"You + Me = Love"The Undisputed Truth4837431989: The Funky Worm, "U + Me = Love", #46 UK
"Let's Go Down to the Disco"The Undisputed Truth68-
"I Wanna Get Next to You"Rose Royce103141998: Christión, #32 R&B
"I'm Going Down"Rose Royce7010-1995: Mary J. Blige, #22 pop, #13 R&B, #12 UK
"Do Your Dance"Rose Royce Dwight Turner 39430
"Ooh Boy"Rose Royce723-1980: Rose Royce, #46 UK (reissue)
1978"All American Funkathon" Willie Hutch Willie Hutch-62-
"Theme Song from Which Way Is Up?" Stargard 21119
"It Makes You Feel Like Dancin'"Rose Royce--15
"What You Waiting For"Stargard-439
1979"First Come, First Serve"Rose Royce-65-
"Show Time"The Undisputed Truth-55-
"I'm in Love (And I Love the Feeling)"Rose Royce-551
1980"Pop Your Fingers"Rose Royce-60-
1981"Golden Touch"Rose Royce Mark Kenoly , Walter Downing-56-
"High on the Boogie"Stargard-70-
"R.R. Express"Rose Royce--52
1982"1990" Dr. America -51-
1983"Ready for Some Action " June Pointer -28-
"Miss Busy Body (Get Your Body Busy) "The Temptations Angelo Bond -67-
1984"Sail Away"The TemptationsAngelo Bond5413-
1989"I'm Gonna Git You Sucka " The Gap Band William Bryant II -1463

Related Research Articles

Get Ready (The Temptations song) Song by The Temptations

"Get Ready" is a Motown song written by Smokey Robinson, which resulted in two hit records for the label: a U.S. No. 29 version by The Temptations in 1966, and a U.S. No. 4 version by Rare Earth in 1970. It is significant for being the last song Robinson wrote and produced for the Temptations, due to a deal Berry Gordy made with Norman Whitfield, that if "Get Ready" did not meet with the expected degree of success, then Whitfield's song, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", would get the next release, which resulted in Whitfield more or less replacing Robinson as the group's producer.

I Cant Get Next to You

"I Can't Get Next to You" is a 1969 No. 1 single recorded by the Temptations and written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Gordy (Motown) label. The song was a No. 1 single on the Billboard Top Pop Singles chart for two weeks in 1969, from October 18 to October 25, replacing "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies and replaced by "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley. The single was also a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Top R&B Singles for five weeks, from October 4 to November 1, replacing "Oh, What a Night" by the Dells, and replaced by another Motown song, "Baby I'm For Real" by the Originals.

Too Busy Thinking About My Baby

"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" is a Motown song written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Janie Bradford. The song was first recorded by The Temptations as a track on their 1966 album Gettin' Ready. Eddie Kendricks sings lead on the recording, which was produced by Whitfield. Jimmy Ruffin also recorded a version with The Temptations providing background vocals in 1966. It remained unreleased until 1997.

Smiling Faces Sometimes

"Smiling Faces Sometimes" is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label. It was originally recorded by the Temptations in 1971. Producer Norman Whitfield had the song re-recorded by the Undisputed Truth the same year, resulting in a number-three Billboard Hot 100 position for the group. "Smiling Faces" was the only Top 40 single released by the Undisputed Truth, and was included on their debut album The Undisputed Truth.

"Masterpiece" is a 1973 soul single written by Norman Whitfield and performed by American vocal group The Temptations.

Beauty Is Only Skin Deep 1966 single by The Temptations

"Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" is a 1964 song, written by Norman Whitfield and Edward Holland, Jr., and produced by Whitfield. Norman Whitfield recorded the song's instrumental track. Two years later, Whitfield got together with Eddie Holland to have lyrics written for the song.

He Was Really Sayin Somethin 1964 song by The Velvelettes

"He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' is a soul song written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield, William "Mickey" Stevenson, and Edward Holland, Jr. in 1964. The song is notable in both a 1964 version by American Motown girl group the Velvelettes, and a 1982 hit version by British girl group Bananarama.

"The End of Our Road" is a single written by Roger Penzabene, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1967. Originally recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips and issued as a single in 1968, the Pips' version of the song, became another top forty hit for the family group as it peaked at number fifteen on the pop singles chart and number five on the R&B singles chart.

Rose Marie (song) 1924 song

"Rose Marie" is a popular song from the musical or operetta of the same name. The music was written by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart, the lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II, In the original Broadway production in 1924, the song was performed by Dennis King and Arthur Deagon, as the characters Jim Kenyon and Sergeant Malone.

"Theme Song from 'Which Way Is Up'" was a hit song by R&B female vocal group Stargard. The song was written by Norman Whitfield and produced by Mark Davis. It was the main theme from the soundtrack to the Richard Pryor movie, Which Way Is Up? It was also included on the group's self-titled debut album. It spent two weeks at number one on the R&B charts in February, 1978 and peaked at number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The single also peaked at number twelve on the disco charts.

All I Need (The Temptations song) Song of The Temptations

"All I Need" is a 1967 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. It is the group's first single to be produced by Norman Whitfield's protégé Frank Wilson. Written by Wilson, Edward Holland, Jr. and R. Dean Taylor, the single was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 8; it was also a number-two hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

"Let Your Hair Down" is a 1973 single by American vocal group The Temptations. The track appeared on the Temptations 1973 album, 1990.

"How Can I Forget" was originally recorded as a love ballad by Motown group The Temptations in 1968 and was re-recorded in a psychedelic soul/funk styling by fellow Motown artist, Marvin Gaye in 1969. His version, released on Motown's first subsidiary, Tamla, became a modest hit that almost reached the Top 40 of the pop charts while peaking at number-eighteen on the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart in 1970. Marvin's recording was featured on his That's the Way Love Is album. The song is also notable for being one of the shortest recordings for both The Tempts and for Gaye; recorded when most songs are over three minutes, its length is just under two.

Still Water (Love) 1970 single by The Four Tops

"Still Water (Love)" is a 1970 hit single written by Smokey Robinson and Frank Wilson for the Motown singing group Four Tops. The B-side was "Still Water (Peace)" and both songs appear on the 1970 album Still Waters Run Deep.

I Wanna Get Next to You 1976 single by Rose Royce

"I Wanna Get Next to You" is a 1976 soul single written, composed and produced by American songwriter and producer Norman Whitfield, and most famously sung by American R&B band Rose Royce. It is the third official single from the Car Wash soundtrack. The song has also become a staple on oldies radio and on adult contemporary stations.

"Happy People" is a 1974 single by The Temptations, co-written by Lionel Richie. It was the first single from the A Song For You album. In the United States, the single went to #1 on the R&B chart and #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "Happy People" also peaked at #11 on the disco/dance chart. The single was the first Temptations release without the guidance of Norman Whitfield since 1966.

"It Should Have Been Me" is a 1963 song written by William "Mickey" Stevenson and Norman Whitfield for Kim Weston. It has been performed by Yvonne Fair, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Adeva among others. Knight's version peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. Fair had her only hit single with her recording of the song in 1976, reaching number 5 in the UK, number 85 in the US and number 10 in Australia.

Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me

"Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me" is a song and single by American group, Gladys Knight & the Pips written by Barrett Strong, Cornelius Grant and Rodger Penzabene. It was produced by Norman Whitfield.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Songs written by Norman Whitfield, MusicVF.com. Retrieved 8 September 2014
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN   0-89820-155-1.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (1996). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995. Record Research.
  4. Betts, Graham (2004). Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004 (1st ed.). London: Collins. ISBN   0-00-717931-6.