The Temptations
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

Between 1966 and 1974, the Temptations and Motown Records staff producer Norman Whitfield teamed for a series of ambitious, audacious singles that forever redefined the shape and scope of the fabled Motown Sound. But in the midst of classics like "Cloud Nine," "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" - tough-minded, socially conscious records informed by read more…

Track Facts

Like countless other Motown hits from the '60s and early '70s, "Just My Imagination" was recorded at Motown's Hitsville USA studio in Detroit, MI. The sessions took place in Studio A on November 24, 1970.
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Also common for Motown, the strings and horns were provided by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and overdubbed at Golden World Studios on December 3, 1970.
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Producer/composer Norman Whitfield arranged and recorded the main tracks featuring members of the famed Motown session musician crew The Funk Brothers.
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Jerry Long, an arranger who had previous experience with scoring films in Paris, worked as the arranger and conductor for the orchestral overdubs.
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When released as a single, "Just My Imagination" became the third Temptations song to reach number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single held the number 1 position on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart for two weeks in 1971, from March 27 to April 10. "Just My Imagination" also held the number one spot on the Billboard R&B Singles chart for three weeks, from February 27 to March 20 of that year.