Favorite Protest Songs #6 - "Masterpiece"

@teamfreak16 (43421)
Denver, Colorado
September 24, 2016 1:33pm CST
What can I say? I love protest songs, hence my Favorite Protest Songs series. We're at #6, which belongs to their 1973 hit "Masterpiece." The Temptations have, albeit with a revolving door of a lineup (Otis Williams is the only living original member,) been at it since 1960. They are a three-time Grammy Award winner, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and they are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "Masterpiece" is the title track from their 1973 album. The album version is 13-plus minutes. It was heavily edited down to around 3 1/2 minutes for radio purposes, which didn't matter to the record buying public. The single is certified Platinum, and charted at #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, #1 on that magazine's US R&B chart, and #28 in the UK. According to Wikipedia, other than a collaboration with Rod Stewart, it was their last Top 10 pop hit. Protesting conditions in the ghetto, "Masterpiece" is just that. I only listen to the string-laden album version, which I've linked below. Of all the phases of the group's lengthy career, I like their 70's protest era the best. "Masterpiece" is one of the main reasons.
Masterpiece (Norman Whitfield) publ. Stone Diamond Recorded Hitsville-GW / L.A., completed 09-Jan-73 ; produced by Norman Whitfield Album: Masterpiece (1973)...
6 people like this
4 responses
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
24 Sep 16
I LOVE the Temptations. I saw them in the SIXTIES and I saw them more recently in Las Vegas. Of course, they weren't the ORIGINAL Temptations in Las Vegas, but they nailed the songs. We also saw the "new" Platters at the same show. It was FANTASTIC!!
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Sep 16
That's a good double bill, even with the new lineups!
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
21 May 17
I remember this one, back in the day. Boy...
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@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
21 May 17
This entire album was great. My aunt gave it to me when she left for college.
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@msiduri (5687)
• United States
21 May 17
@teamfreak16 I haven't heard the whole album. I bet it is great.
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@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
21 May 17
@msiduri - It's also got "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)" on it.
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@amadeo (111948)
• United States
24 Sep 16
Scott.This one never heard of.Going to give a listen.Thank you.
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@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Sep 16
I hope you like it. It's a far cry from "My Girl," that's for sure.
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• Eugene, Oregon
24 Sep 16
@teamfreak16 Is it ever!
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• Eugene, Oregon
24 Sep 16
Holy Moley! I did not follow the Temps closely, just heard what was the radio back then. I saw them in concert here in the early 1980s and it was a great show. This song was not part of it. It is one I never heard and I listened to the whole thing. What a great song! Things have not changed much, it seems. That line about "hard to stay alive in the ghetto" still holds true.
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• Eugene, Oregon
24 Sep 16
@teamfreak16 No kidding!
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@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Sep 16
I'm glad you liked it. It is kind of sad that all these years later the song is still relevant.
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