Phoenix Rising (The Temptations album)

Phoenix Rising
Studio album by the Temptations
Released	August 18, 1998
Length	57:10
Label	Motown
Producer	Isaias Gamboa Ronnie Garrett Arthur "Buster" Marbury Rex Rideout Narada Michael Walden
The Temptations chronology
For Lovers Only (1995) Phoenix Rising (1998) Ear-Resistible (2000)

Phoenix Rising is a 1998 studio album by American vocal group The Temptations. It was released on the Motown label on August 18, 1998. Featuring the debut of new Temptations members Barrington "Bo" Henderson, Terry Weeks, and Harry McGilberry, following the departure of Ali-Ollie Woodson, who ended his tenure with the group (following the release of the 1995 album For Lovers Only ); as well as the final Temptations album for Theo Peoples, who Henderson replaced.

The album, the Temptations' first million-selling album in over twenty years, ^[1] features the hit single "Stay" Although not commercially released as a single, "Stay" became a top 30 hit on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 28. It also peaked at number one on the Urban Adult Contemporary charts. Later singles "This Is My Promise" and "How Could He Hurt You" became top five hits respectively on the latter chart as well. Phoenix Rising was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 15, 1999.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]

AllMusic editor Andrew Hamilton wrote that "Temptations' albums used to feature a baritone voice distinct from the tenor not only in register, but in style and phrasing; here the voices are too similar. Still, not a bad silver platter when you take the personnel changes into consideration." ^[2]

Commercial performance

Phoenix Rising became the band's first studio album to receive a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). ^[1]

Track listing

Phoenix Rising track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Lead singer(s)	Length
1.	"Here After" (Interlude)	Benjamin Wright Otis Williams	Williams (spoken word)	0:44
2.	"Stay"	James Fischer Narada Michael Walden Ronald White Scott Urguhart William Robinson	Theo Peoples Ron Tyson Terry Weeks Harry McGilberry Williams (spoken word)	4:46
3.	"False Faces"	Arthur "Buster" Marbury	Peoples	5:31
4.	"How Could He Hurt You"	Darcy Aldridge Rex Rideout Ronnie Garrett Tony Kurtis	Barrington "Bo" Henderson	4:52
5.	"I'm Calling You" (Interlude)	Williams Theo Peoples	Williams (spoken word)	1:26
6.	"This Is My Promise"	Peoples	Peoples McGilberry	7:20
7.	"My Love"	Darin McKinney Walden Robin Taylor Brooks Rodney Alejandro Ron Tyson	Weeks Peoples Tyson	4:20
8.	"Tempt Me"	McKinney Walden Brooks Alejandro	Williams (spoken word) Tyson	5:06
9.	"If I Give You My Heart"	Walden Sunny Hilden	Peoples Williams (spoken word	4:35
10.	"Take Me in Your Arms"	Johnny Britt Williams	Weeks	3:58
11.	"That's What Friends Are For"	Marbury Melvin Jordan Williams Weeks	Weeks	5:51
12.	"Just Like I Told You"	Gamboa	Peoples	4:47
13.	"Stay" (Remix)	Fischer Walden White Urguhart Robinson	Peoples Tyson Weeks McGilberry Williams (spoken word	4:03

Notes

• ^{^a} denotes additional producer(s)

Personnel

The Temptations

• Terry Weeks - tenor/baritone vocals
• Barrington "Bo" Henderson - tenor vocals only on "How Could He Hurt You"
• Theo Peoples - second tenor/baritone vocals;

all except “How Could He Hurt You?”

• Otis Williams - second tenor/baritone vocals
• Ron Tyson - first tenor/falsetto vocals
• Harry McGilberry - bass vocals

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for Phoenix Rising Chart (1998) Peak position US Billboard 200 [3] 44 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [4] 8

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for Phoenix Rising Chart (1998) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [5] 52 Chart (1999) Position US Billboard 200 [6] 179 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [7] 40

Certifications

Certifications for Phoenix Rising

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [8]	Platinum	1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Elias, Jason. "Ear-Resistable - The Temptations". AllMusic . Retrieved August 29, 2022.
2. Hamilton, Andrew. "Phoenix Rising". AllMusic . Retrieved October 26, 2015.
3. "The Temptations Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
4. "The Temptations Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
5. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
6. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
7. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
8. "American album certifications – The Temptations – Phoenix Rising". Recording Industry Association of America. October 12, 1999.