My Girl

The harmony of 'My Girl' is a masterclass in Motown soul. It relies on a simple but effective I-IV alternating structure in the verses to create a relaxed, 'sunny' feel. The sophistication lies in the arrangement: the bassline provides the melodic and harmonic foundation, while the brass and strings thicken the texture. The modulation at the end (the 'Truck Driver's Gear Shift') is a quintessential 1960s pop technique used to heighten emotional intensity and energy for the climax.

Smokey Robinson wrote the song while on the Motortown Revue tour. After hearing David Ruffin perform with the group, Robinson decided to write a song specifically to showcase Ruffin's 'mellow yet gruff' voice, moving him to the lead vocal position for the first time over Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams.

Written by Smokey Robinson, 'My Girl' is the definitive masterpiece of the Motown era, blending lush orchestral strings with soulful vocal harmonies. It served as The Temptations' breakout number-one hit and remains one of the most recognizable love songs in music history.