The Temptations had four or five hits that are firmly embedded in the public consciousness and about ten or so more that would be recognized by anyone with more than a passing love and interest for Motown. "Loneliness Had Made Me Realize" is probably overlooked by both crowds.
It comes from the transitional period when Norman Whitfield was taking over Smokey Robinson's role as the Temptations' producer. Whitfield was already taking the Temptations in a tougher direction than witty, bitter sweet confections laden with strings and harmonies of the Robinson period, so inasmuch as this is probably Whitfield's only true pop song, it is somewhat of throwback. But that is probably the only comment resembling a that critical note I can mention.
It is a song I've loved dearly for over fifteen years and it never fails to make me shiver. What distinguishes it from the Smokey Robinson songs is its syncopated dynamics, how it builds up to a series of climaxes and how the lead and backup vocals comment on each other. What makes it tick emotionally is lead singer's David Ruffin's patented growl, with its rough, yet suave sense of yearning. What defines its pedigree stature is a series of "it's you that I need" near the end where every Temp gets his lick, that is a modernized variation on the doo wop theme.
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