9. I Can’t Get Next To You (Temptations)
This was written by the Motown songwriters Barrett Strong
and Norman Whitfield, and Whitfield produced the track. The duo also wrote the
Temptations hit "Cloud Nine," which was released in 1968. Both songs
were released after David Ruffin left the group, but while "Cloud
Nine" had a Psychedelic sound and some pretty deep lyrics, "I Can't
Get Next To You" is more typical Motown Soul, and finds The Temptations
singing about the power of love, and how all their otherworldly powers mean nothing
if they can't get the girl.
All 5 of The Temptations trade verses on this song, and they
all join in on the chorus.
In 1970 Al Green recorded a slow version of this song which
appeared on the album Al Green Gets Next To You. Other artists to record
it include The Four Tops, Jose Feliciano, Annie Lennox, Edwin McCain, The
Osmonds, Toto and Savoy Brown.