1969 Song of the Day is- I Can’t Get Next To You- by The Temptations. I Can’t Get Next To You- written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett {Money} Strong went to #1 on the pop charts for The Temptations in October 1969. It replaced The Archies “Sugar Sugar” at #1 and would be replaced by The King’s “Suspicious Minds” a couple weeks later. It would spend 5 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard R&B singles chart. The song was recorded at the Motown Hitsville USA studio and released on the Gordy label. This would become the second of four Temptations singles to go to #1. A case of a great song that deserved the #1 slot. The four Temptations singles that went to #1- My Girl, I Can’t Get Next To You, Just My Imagination and their greatest single in my opinion- Papa Was A Rollin Stone.
David Ruffin had left the group by this time. On “I Can’t Get Next To You” all five of The Temptations share the singing-each doing a verse with all of them joining together in the chorus. The music was done by Motown’s Funk Brothers- the unsung heroes of the record label.
This song has been covered by many other artists including the great Al Green, The Four Tops. Annie Lennox, Jose Feliciano and gag- The Osmonds.
slicethelife 
I don’t ever recall hearing this song until it was in the movie Hope Floats. Now I picture that scene. It’s hard to sit still when it’s playing.
We played this over and over in my girlfriend’s garage on her little pink record player. Four of us girls dancing and belting it out on weekdays after school. We had to give Dennis Edwards respect after this song dropped.
I think The Temptations are kind of overlooked a bit- deserve more attention.. what a tragic history the members had..
Great song!
Nobody can top these guys’ voices for quality as they sing this kick azz song. I love the piano intro and the way pauses (not sure technical term) are used to great effect. The very thought of the Osmonds getting anywhere near it makes me a little queasy.