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Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
Composer: Norman Whitfield / Barrett Strong

Papa Was A Rollin' Stone was played by the Mickey Hart Band in 2012 and by Bruce Hornsby in 1999.

Papa Was A Rollin' Stone was written in 1971 and first released on a single by The Undisputed Truth in May 1972. This single had only moderate success in the charts. Co-writer Norman Whitfield, who produced the Undisputed Truth recording, reworked the song and produced a much longer version with The Temptations. This 12 minute plus version was included on the Temptations album All Directions. An edited version was released on a single in September 1972 and this single topped the Billboard Hot 100.

On the early single and album releases the song title is Papa Was A Rollin' Stone. On some later recordings the title used is Papa Was A Rolling Stone.



The Undisputed Truth

no info Single (Papa Was A Rollin' Stone / Friendship Train), The Undisputed Truth, 1972
no info Law of the Land, The Undisputed Truth, 1973
no info Best Of The Undisputed Truth, The Undisputed Truth, 1991
no info The Best Of The Undisputed Truth, The Undisputed Truth, 1995
no info The Collection, The Undisputed Truth, 2002
no info Smiling Faces: The Best Of Undisputed Truth, 2003
no info Before They Were Hits Or We Did It First!!! Volume 10, Various Artists (The Undisputed Truth), 2010
no info The Complete Motown Singles: Vol. 12A: 1972, Various Artists (The Undisputed Truth), 2013

The Temptation

no info All Directions, The Temptations, 1972
no info Single (Papa Was A Rollin' Stone / Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (instr)), The Temptations, 1972
no info Anthology, The Temptations, 1973
no info Golden Soul, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1973
no info Save The Children, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1973
no info Single (Papa Was A Rollin' Stone / Plastic Man), The Temptations, 1974
no info Live in Japan, The Temptations, 1975 (Japan)
no info Motown Instrumentals, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1977
no info The Temptations (comp), The Temptations, 1978
info Where the Buffalo Roam Soundtrack, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1980
no info 20/20: Twenty No.1 Hits From Twenty Years At Motown, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1980
no info All The Million Sellers, The Temptations, 1981
no info 12" single (Special Medley Live / Papa Was A Rollin' Stone), The Temptations with The Four Tops, 1983
no info Great Songs And Performances That Inspired The Motown 25th Anniversary Television Special, The Temptations, 1983
no info A Motown Anniversary Collection, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1983
no info 25 #1 Hits From 25 Years, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1983
no info The Motown Story: The First Twenty-Five Years, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1983
no info Motown Grammy Rhythm & Blues Performances Of The 70's, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1984
no info 25th Anniversary, The Temptations, 1986
no info Anthology, The Temptations, 1986
no info Billboard Top Rock'N'Roll Hits 1972, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1989
no info Psychedelic Shack/All Directions, The Temptations, 1990
info Sounds of the Seventies: 1972, Take 2, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1990
no info Motown Chartbusters Vol. 4, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1990
no info Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection Vol Two 1972-1992, Various Artists, 1993
info Billboard Top Rock 'n' Roll Hits: 1968-1972, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1993
info Emperors of Soul, The Temptations, 1994
no info Anthology: The Best Of The Temptations, 1995
no info The No. 1 Classic Soul Album, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1995
no info The Ultimate Collection, The Temptations, 1997
no info Soul Classics: Best Of The 70's, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1997
info Blaxploitation II: The Sequel, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1997
no info The Complete Motown Anthology, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1997
no info The Original Mini-Series Soundtrack, The Temptations, 1998
no info Motown 40 Forever, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1998
no info Dancing In The Street: 43 Motown Dance Classics, Various Artists (The Temptations), 1999
no info 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection: The Best Of Volume 2: The 70's, 80's, 90's, The Temptations, 2000
no info The Temptations Greatest Hits, The Temptations, 2000
no info Legends Of Soul, The Temptations, 2000
no info Motown The Classic Years, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2000
no info Experience Music Project Presents Funk Blast! A Collection Of Classic Funk, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2000
no info Jammin' Gold, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2000
no info The '70s: Original NBC Motion Picture Soundtrack, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2000
no info 20th Century Masters: The Best Of Motown 1970s Volume 1, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2001
info Back to Black: 1900-1999, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2001
info Can You Dig It? The '70s Soul Experience, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2001
no info Once Upon A Song, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2001
no info 100% R&B, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2001
no info My Girl: The Very Best Of, The Temptations, 2002
no info Platinum Soul Legends 1960-1975, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2002
no info Psychedelic Soul, The Temptations, 2003
info Soul, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2003
no info Classic Funk: The Universal Masters Collection, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2003
info Ultimate Seventies (15 CD set), Various Artists (The Temptations), 2003
no info The Very Best Of The Temptations, 2004
no info Motor City Gold, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2004
info 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Funk Brothers, The Funk Brothers, 2004
info Gold, The Temptations, 2005
no info Can You Dig?, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Soul 70's Collection Volume 1, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Forever Soul, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Four Brothers: Music From The Motion Picture, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Motor City Nites, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Old School Soul Party, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Drivetime, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Disco Inferno, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2005
no info Motown Remixed, Various Artists (The Temptations remix: DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Kuzma), 2005
no info Get Ready: Definitive Performances 1965-1972 (DVD), The Temptations, 2006
no info Blue Lights In The Basement, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2006
no info '70s Soul Gold, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2006
no info More Motown Classics Gold, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2007
no info Number Ones, The Temptations, 2007
no info Uptown Saturday Night: Dancing Machine, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2007
info Dick Clark's American Bandstand: 50th Anniversary, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2007
no info The Definitive Collection, The Temptations, 2008
info Motown: The Complete No. 1's, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2008
no info The Motown Collection, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2008
no info Motown 50 Fanthology, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2009
no info Sweet Soul Of The '70s, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2009
no info Icon, The Temptations, 2010
no info Now That's What I Call R&B, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2011
no info Motown Anthems, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2012
no info The Complete Motown Singles: Vol. 12B: 1972, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2013
no info Motown Funk, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2013
no info American Hustle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2014
no info Now That's What I Call 70s, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2016
no info The Nice Guys: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2016
no info Number 1's, The Temptations, 2020
no info Psychedelic Soul: Produced By Norman Whitfield, Various Artists (The Temptations), 2021

Other recordings

no info Big Bad Jug, Gene Ammons, 1973
no info Red Black & Green, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, 1973
no info Bananas Are Not Created Equal, Jay Berliner, 1973
no info Single (Papa Was A Rolling Stone / Stickball), Jay Berliner, 1973
no info Single (Papa Was A Rolling Stone / Feeling High), Sidney, George And Jackie, 1973
no info Freedom Feeling, The Pioneers, 1973
no info Super Flute, Ken Munson, 1973
no info Single (Sayin It, Doin It / Papa Was A Rolling Stone), The Variations, 1974
no info In Japan!, The Jackson 5, 1974 (Japan)
no info The Guitar Players, Various Artists (Jay Berliner), 1974
no info A Woman's Blues, The Variations Featuring Samaki, 1975
no info Many Rivers To Cross, The Slickers, 1976
no info Reggae Phenomenon, Big Youth, 1977
no info The Pioneers Greatest Hits, The Pioneers, 1979
no info Single (Papa Was A Rollin' Stone / Window On A Dream), Wolf, 1982
no info Wolf, Bill Wolfer, 1982
info Very Greasy, David Lindley and El Rayo-X, 1988
no info Papa Was A Rolling Stone 12" Single, The Persuasions, 1989
no info Are You Okay?, Was (Not Was), 1990
no info Papa Was A Rolling Stone 12" Single, Was (Not Was), 1990
no info Papa Was A Rolling Stone 12" Single, South Central Cartel, 1992
no info Warren Bailey, Warren Bailey, 1992
no info Hello, Dad...I'm In Jail, Was (Not Was), 1992
no info Battle Of Evermore Maxi-Single, The Lovemongers, 1992
no info Meet Me In The Lobby, The Edlos, 1992
no info Single (Killer / Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (The Remixes)), George Michael, 1993
no info Five Live, George Michael And Queen With Lisa Stansfield, 1993
no info Deep Pocket, Herbie Mann, 1994
info Row vs. Wade, Run C&W, 1994
no info You Can't Hurry Love: The Motown Covers Album, Various Artists (Was (Not Was)), 1994
no info Live From London (video), Bon Jovi, 1995
no info Live It Up, Third World, 1995
no info The Best Funk Album In The World...Ever, Various Artists (Was (Not Was)), 1995
no info Souled On Reggae, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 1995
no info Roots And Branches, Horace Andy, 1997
no info Acappella New Orleans No Cover Charge Volume 2, Jay-Ray And Gee With Friends, 1997
no info Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael, 1998
info Zero Live: Nothing Lasts Forever, Zero, 1998
no info Rhythms Of The Heart, Regina Carter, 1999
no info Favorites, Ron Dante, 1999
no info Reggae Celebrates The Detroit Sound, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 1999
no info Best Kept Secret, Chris Ardoin And Double Clutchin', 2000
no info Impure Thoughts, Michael Wolff, 2000
no info El Rayo-X Live, David Lindley And El Rayo-X, 2000
no info Trojan Soulful Reggae Box Set, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 2000
no info SuperBass 2, Ray Brown / John Clayton / Christian McBride, 2001
no info Simply Rockers: Jamaican Music From The Vaults, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 2001
no info Let Your Yeah Be Yeah: Anthology 1966 To 1986, The Pioneers, 2002
info Double Zero, Zero, 2002
no info Funky Kingston: Reggae Dancefloor Grooves 1968-74, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 2002
no info Give & Take: The Best Of The Pioneers, 2003
no info Fine And Mellow, Gene Ammons, 2003
no info Reggae Pulse 2: Hit Songs Jamaican Style, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 2003
no info It's The Same Old Song: More Songs Of The Motor City, Various Artists (Bill Woolfer), 2003
no info The Great American Rhythm & Soul Songbook...Live!, The Hues Corporation, 2004
no info Overtime (DVD), Lee Ritenour, 2004
no info Rare Earth, Rare Earth, 2005
no info Cross Road (2CD/DVD edition), Bon Jovi, 2005
no info Motor City Music, Peter Cox, 2006
info Into the Twangy-First Century / Row vs. Wade, Run C&W, 2006
no info This Is Crucial Reggae: Funk Party, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 2006
no info Georgie, George Butts, 2007
no info Secret Center Sessions Volume 3, The Four Eyes, 2008
no info A Brand New World, Rare Earth, 2008
no info At The Jazz Café, Lee "Scratch" Perry, 2008
no info People Get Ready, Russell Watson, 2008
no info Pick Of The Litter 1980-2010, Was (Not Was), 2009
no info Warm Heart Cold Steel, 20th Century Steel Band, 2009
info Jazz Swings Motown, Various Artists (Gene Ammons), 2009
no info Neon City, Billy Walton Band, 2010
no info Going Back, Phil Collins, 2010
no info A Philadelphia Story, "Papa" John DeFrancesco, 2011
no info The Deep Well Sessions, Geoffrey Castle, 2012
no info Motown The Musical, Original Broadway Cast, 2013
no info Interpretations Of A Groove, Chuck Rainey, 2013
no info The 70s, Rare Earth, 2015
no info Afrodeezia, Marcus Miller, 2015
no info Vicennial: 20 Years Of, The Hot 8 Brass Band, 2015
no info Single (Super People / Papa Was A Rolling Stone), Sunlightsquare, 2015
no info Live In Berlin, Gregory Porter, 2016
no info Trojan: Original Soul Reggae Classics, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 2017
no info CoverArt, Mark Isham, 2018
no info Recorded Live At The 2019 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Gregory Porter, 2019
no info Live At The Ziggo Dome 2019, Ladies Of Soul, 2019
no info Eight Track III, Dave Stryker, 2019
no info Ain't Too Proud: The Life & Times Of The Temptations, Original Broadway Cast, 2019
no info Weathered, Nils Lofgren Band, 2020
no info Tightrope, Cactus, 2021
no info Reggae & Ska Legends, Various Artists (The Pioneers), 2021
no info Remote Transmissions, Vol. 1, The Band Of Heathens, 2022
no info Orgy Of The Damned, Slash, 2024

 
  The Undisputed Truth

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The Temptations

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