Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (single edit)
~ Recording by The Temptations
Appears on releases
| # | Title | Length | Track artist | Release title | Release artist | Release group type | Country/Date | Label | Catalog# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official | |||||||||
| 1.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (vocal) | 6:58 | The Temptations | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | The Temptations | Single |
| Gordy | G 7121F |
| 1.2 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (vocal) | 6:58 | The Temptations | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | The Temptations | Single |
| Tamla Motown (for non-US releases only) | 2C 006-93.908, 2C 006-93908 |
| 1.1 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Tamla-Motown Is Hot, Hot, Hot!, Volume 4 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Tamla Motown (for non-US releases only) | 5C 048-94107 |
| 3.11 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Anthology | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | M782A3 |
| 1.11 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Black Gold: The Greatest Hits of Black Music | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Arcade (record label founded in 1970s by Herman Heinsbroek; use this as its universal imprint) | ADE G 93 |
| 1.6 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | Where the Buffalo Roam | Various Artists | Album + Soundtrack |
| Backstreet Records | MCA-5126 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | All the Million Sellers | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Tamla Motown (for non-US releases only) | STMS 5053 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | All the Million Sellers | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 230⋅15⋅075 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | All the Million Sellers | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 535043 |
| 3.6 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Motown 50 Certified Original No.1 Hits: A Motown Anniversary Collection | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | SED-10214 |
| 1.16 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | 17 Greatest Hits (BMG club edition) | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. (BMG company that owned their direct marketing company/club editions), Gordy | D 153410, GCD06125GD |
| 2.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | 25 #1 Hits From 25 Years | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 2-6132 |
| 1.16 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Compact Command Performances: 17 Greatest Hits | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Gordy | GCD06125D |
| 2.14 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Anthology | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 3746307822 |
| 2.14 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Anthology | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | MOTD2-782 |
| 1.22 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | T’N’T: Temptations ’n’ Four Tops | The Temptations / Four Tops | Album + Compilation | Silver Eagle Records | SED-10523 | |
| 1.22 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | T’N’T: Temptations ’N’ Four Tops | The Temptations / Four Tops | Album + Compilation |
| PolyGram, PolyTel | 832 498-2 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:56 | The Temptations | All the Million-Sellers | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 3746352122 |
| 1.11 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Great Songs and Performances That Inspired the Motown 25th Anniversary Television Special | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | MCD09033MD |
| 1.16 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | Introduction to the Motown Elite 9000 Series | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | MCD00900MD |
| 1.13 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | Dance Classics, Volume 2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Arcade (record label founded in 1970s by Herman Heinsbroek; use this as its universal imprint) | 01 3152 61 |
| 1.11 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | Motown in Motion: 20 Classic Motown Dance Hits | Various Artists | Album |
| K‐tel (international budget record label) | NCD 3410 |
| 1.8 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Billboard Top Rock’n’Roll Hits: 1972 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Rhino (reissue label) | R2 70633 |
| 1.17 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | Hifi Visionen: Oldie-CD 17 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Hifi Vision, Widder Musik | 89 11 001 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | All The Million-Sellers | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | WL72096 |
| 1.3 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Motown Collection, Volume 4 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | |
| 3.7 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | 25 Years of Great Original Hits: The Motown Story | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Reader’s Digest | RDCD 231-236 |
| 2.5 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Club Classics, Volume 1 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Electrola | 1C 2CD 686-7 96154 2 |
| 1.7 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Dance Classics, Volume 5 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Arcade Deutschland GmbH (DE branch of Dutch “Arcade” label; this is not an imprint!) | |
| 1.12 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Sounds of the Seventies: 1972, Take Two | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Warner Special Products, Time–Life Music | OPCD-2624, SOD-13 |
| 1.6 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1972–1992 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 3746363582 |
| 1.9 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | 35 soulklassiker 1970-75 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Diesel Music AB | Diesel C-9 |
| 3.20 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | Emperors of Soul | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 31453-0338-2 |
| 1.14 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | Magic Motown | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown France, Polydor (British label, see annotation) | |
| 1.9 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:56 | The Temptations | Motown Magic: The Ultimate Hits Collection | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 530457-2 |
| 2.8 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | Radio City Classic Hits: The 70's | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Polydor (British label, see annotation) | 525110-2 |
| 1.8 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:51 | The Temptations | The Vorspiel Collection 2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| The Record Collection | 525 024-2 |
| 2.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | Anthology: The Best of The Temptations (remastered) | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 530 524-2 |
| 1.13 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| MCA Records (1967–2003; name as in imprint during 1972–1990) | MCAD3-11329 |
| 2.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | Anthology: The Best of The Temptations | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 530 524-2 |
| 2.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | Anthology: The Best of The Temptations | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 31453-0524-2 |
| 2.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | The No.1 Classic Soul Album | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| PolyGram | 525656 |
| 1.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | Tijdloze honderd, Volume 2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| ||
| 3.12 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | Totally 70’s | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Insight (Polygram sublabel) | |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | Living in America: American Superstars | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Polydor (British label, see annotation) | 007 04 22 |
| 2.19 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:59 | The Temptations | Magic Soul 2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| East West France | 9548 34705-2 |
| 1.4 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Double 70 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| PolyGram | 553 443-2 |
| 1.9 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Motown’s Greatest Hits | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 530 015-2 |
| 1.17 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | The Ultimate Collection | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 31453-0562-2 |
| 1.18 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | 1974 - Die Stars - Die Hits - Die Facts | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Polydor (British label, see annotation) | 39611 9 |
| 1.6 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Billboard Top Rock’n’Roll Hits: 1972 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Warner Bros. Records (1958–2019; “WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across) | 9548352262 |
| 7.9 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:59 | The Temptations | The Complete Motown Anthology | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| MEI Digital | |
| 1.17 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | The Ultimate Collection (club edition) | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown, BMG Direct (BMG’s direct marketing company/club editions) | 31453-0562-2, D118077 |
| 1.17 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | The Ultimate Collection | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | MOTD 562 |
| 1.17 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | The Ultimate Collection | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | MOTD-0562 |
| 1.4 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | Tour of Duty: The Final Edition | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| PolyGram TV (a division of PolyGram Record Operations Ltd.) | 553 929-2 |
| 1.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | VH-1 8-Track Flashback: Classic 70’s Soul | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Rhino (reissue label) | R2 72943 |
| 1.7 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:59 | The Temptations | Soul Classics: Best of the 70’s | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Rebound Records (1990s budget reissue imprint) | 314 520 447-2 |
| 1.17 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Motown 40 Forever | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 314530849-2 |
| 1.13 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:48 | The Temptations | Motown Memories | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Marks & Spencer | MS4966 |
| 1.11 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Rhythm & Soul N°2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| PolyGram Collections | 0612 |
| 1.3 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Soul for Your Soul: The Very Best of Black Music | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown, Polymedia Special Marketing | 555 298-2, Art. Nr.: 66295 |
| 2.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | The Motown Story | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 530 891-2 |
| 1.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | The Real Thing | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 530 922-2 |
| 1.14 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | The Temptations: The Original Mini-Series Soundtrack | The Temptations | Album + Soundtrack |
| Motown | 314530986-2 |
| 1.20 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | Dancing in the Street | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited) | 549 510-2, 549 511-2 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | A música do século, volume 19 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Editora Caras | SEC-0019 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | Pottery Barn: PB Soul | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal Music Special Markets, Rock River | 314564967-2, PB16 |
| 1.3 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:59 | The Temptations | The ’70s: Original NBC Motion Picture Soundtrack | Various Artists | Album + Soundtrack |
| Island (imprint of Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group) | 314 542 473-2 |
| 1.6 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection, Volume 2: 1972-1992 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 012 159 027-2 |
| 2.19 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:01 | The Temptations | Motown: The Classic Years (BMG club edition) | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| UTV Records, BMG Direct (BMG’s direct marketing company/club editions) | 012 159 466-2, D236325 |
| 2.13 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:51 | The Temptations | Black Classics Party | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Polystar (Germany) | 560 944-2 |
| 1.4 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Temptations, Volume 2: The ’70s, ’80s, ’90s | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | 012 153 733-2 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Classic The Temptations | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Spectrum Music (Universal Music Group budget label) | 5315271 |
| 2.13 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | Dance Classics, Volume 1 & 2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Arcade (record label founded in 1970s by Herman Heinsbroek; use this as its universal imprint) | 110773, 110773-A, 110773-B |
| 1.3 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Funk Blast! | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Experience Music Project | EMPCD 002 |
| 1.6 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | History of Music 70s | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Polymedia Catalogue Marketing | 524689-2 |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | On the Road | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal Licensing Music (U.L.M) | 524 856-2 |
| 1.1 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:56 | The Temptations | Psychedelic Soul | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Spectrum Music (Universal Music Group budget label) | |
| 1.10 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | Respect - The Soundtrack to the Soul Generation | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal (plain logo “Universal” used by Universal Music and Universal Pictures) | 524 866 2 |
| 2.11 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:53 | The Temptations | Respect - The Soundtrack to the Soul Generation (Made in Germany) | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal (plain logo “Universal” used by Universal Music and Universal Pictures) | 524 863 2 |
| 2.11 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Respect: The Soundtrack to The Soul Generation | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal (plain logo “Universal” used by Universal Music and Universal Pictures) | 524 863 2 |
| 1.12 | Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone - Single Version | 6:58 | The Temptations | Funked!: Volume 1 1970 - 1973 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Débutante | |
| 1.7 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:59 | The Temptations | At Their Very Best | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited) | 013578-2 |
| 6.2 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | Back to Black | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal (plain logo “Universal” used by Universal Music and Universal Pictures), MWA | 5415182, 5415812 |
| 3.20 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Can You Dig It? The ’70s Soul Experience | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Rhino (reissue label) | R2 74346 |
| 1.5 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:57 | The Temptations | 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Motown 1970s, Volume 1 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Motown | |
| 1.12 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Funked! Volume 1 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Débutante | 524 954-2 |
| 1.12 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | Funked! Volume 1 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal Music Ltda. (Brazil) | 73145249542 |
| 2.2 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:55 | The Temptations | Once Upon a Song | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Sony Music (global brand, excluding JP, owned by Sony Music Entertainment) | A52573 |
| 2.17 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | The All Time Greatest Disco Hits | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Sony Music Media | 500546 2 |
| 1.7 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:58 | The Temptations | At Their Very Best | The Temptations & Four Tops | Album + Compilation |
| Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited) | 583 015-2, 583 016-2 |
| 3.3 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 7:00 | The Temptations | Best of the 70’s | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Warner Music Germany | 5050467-5508-2-7 |
| 2.5 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:59 | The Temptations | Gold | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown, Chronicles (a label under UMG’s Universal Music Enterprises division), UMe (imprint of Universal Music Enterprises) | B000309902 |
| 3.20 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Las 100 canciones más Rolling de la historia | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| EMI (EMI Records, or EMI Music only if there is no other imprint) | 8431588804322 |
| 2.5 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:59 | The Temptations | My Girl: The Very Best of The Temptations (club edition) | The Temptations | Album + Compilation |
| Motown, BMG Direct (BMG’s direct marketing company/club editions) | 440 017 298-2, D 243174 |
| Promotion | |||||||||
| 1.13 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:51 | The Temptations | „Healey“-Edition No. 2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Mohndruck | 910 704 |
| 4.5 | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone | 6:54 | The Temptations | Classic Songs of the Motown Era, Volume 1 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!) | |
| 1.7 | Papa Was a Rolling Stone | 6:49 | The Temptations | Soul Time | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Universal (plain logo “Universal” used by Universal Music and Universal Pictures) | 520 195-2 |
| (unknown) | |||||||||
| 2.13 | Papa Was a Rollin' Stone | 6:52 | The Temptations | Dance Classics, Volume 1 & 2 | Various Artists | Album + Compilation |
| Arcade (record label founded in 1970s by Herman Heinsbroek; use this as its universal imprint), Universal Music Belgium | 2107125 |
Relationships
| producer: | Norman Whitfield |
|---|---|
| lead vocals: | Dennis Edwards (US soul & R’n’B singer) (in 1972) Damon Harris (in 1972) Richard Street (in 1972) |
| conductor: | Paul Riser (in 1972) |
| arranger: | Paul Riser |
| phonographic copyright (℗) by: | Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972) Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972) |
|---|
| mash-ups: | Papa Stone (Stromae vs. The Temptations) by ViC (Belgian radio host & DJ, aka ViC) Papa Was a Ghostbuster (Ray Parker Jr. vs. The Temptations) by DJ Schmolli Papa Was a Shock of the Lightning by G3RSt |
|---|
| part of: | Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 168) (order: 168) Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 333) (order: 333) |
|---|
| recording of: | Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (in 1972: cover) |
|---|
Related works
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
| lyricist and composer: | Barrett Strong Norman Whitfield |
|---|
| publisher: | Jobete Music (appears also as: Jobete Msc.) Jobete Music (UK) Ltd. Stone Diamond Music Corporation イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present) |
|---|
| referred to in medleys: | More Stars (12″ mix) (12″ mix, duration: ~11:56 on vinyl, ~11:38 on cd) Papa Was an Appezeller Killer / Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (order: 2) |
|---|---|
| later translated parody versions: | Papa war ein rollender Stein |
| later translated versions: | Mei Vater war a Wildera Papa will da nicht mehr wohn' |
Play on ListenBrainz