Sheer perfection. My Girl is a classic from the opening notes of James Jamerson’s opening bassline, echoed by Robert White’s electric guitar. And then there’s the dancing!

Released at Christmastime 1964, it was the first Temptations single to feature the lead vocals of new member David Ruffin. He got the gig thanks to Smokey Robinson, who wrote and produced this song for him with Ronald White.

Smokey had seen Ruffin sing the Drifters song Under The Boardwalk at a Motown Revue and spotted the potential in a voice he heard as simultaneously “mellow” and “gruff.”

The other Temps then persuaded Smokey to let them sing the backing vocals rather than his own group The Miracles, creating those memorable My girls and Hey-hey-heys themselves.