Record #0012: The Way You Do the Things You Do / Just Let Me Know – THE TEMPTATIONS

Gordy 7028 (original), USA, Jan. 23, 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – Smokey Robinson, Robert Rogers; Side B – Berry Gordy
Musicians: Eddie Kendricks (lead vocals Side A), Paul Williams (lead vocals Side B), Melvin Franklin (vocals), Al Bryant (vocals on Side B), Otis Williams (vocals), instruments by the Funk Brothers
Recording sessions:  “Hitsville USA” (Studio A),Detroit, MI, Jan.9, 1964 (Side B recorded in 1963)
Highest chart positions:  Side A: US #11 (#1 in US R&B),  UK -

This Motown classic was the Temptations’ first US Top 20 single. Despite the huge success in the States, the record failed to chart in the UK (probably due to the fact that the charts there were crowded with the British acts).

A founding member of the group, Bryant Elbridge was fired two weeks before the recording session of side A. The group made him go due to his volatile and unpredictable nature (e.g. smashing a beer bottle on Paul Williams’ face).

List price:  “Very Good+” is $7.50 and “Near Mint” is $15.