"Power" by The Temptations

Song#:  0165
Date:  05/10/1980
Debut:  73
Peak:  43
Weeks:  9
Genre:  R&B, Soul



Pop Bits:  The Temptations were one of the most successful soul groups to come out of Motown. They put sixteen songs in the pop Top 10 (with four #1's) and scored fourteen #1's on the R&B chart. As the 70s were closing, The Temps were in a slump. Their last pop Top 40 song was in 1975 and their last Top 10 in 1973. It didn't help that tensions in the group were running high which culminated in the firing of Dennis Edwards, who the group thought was being pushed further out as a front man. After a decade of hits, The Temps also decided to leave Motown for Atlantic. Their two albums for the label failed to produce any hits and so back to Motown they went, even re-hiring Dennis Edwards. Their first album after rejoining Motown was "Power" and the title song was the first single, but it failed to make any significant impact. Except for 1991 single "The Motown Song" (#10) where the group backed Rod Stewart, The Temps would not reach the pop Top 40 again.

ReduxReview:  While not a stellar song in their catalog, this is still a good groovin' song driven by a cool vocal bass line. Although they would never recapture their hit-making days, this song did show that they still had gas in the tank.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The Temptations won four Grammys in their career. Their first was in 1972 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Duo or Group for their hit "Papa Was a Rollin, Stone." This was the first Grammy award win for any Motown artist.

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