Released: October 1984
Well, with Dennis Edwards gone for a solo career (at least for the moment), the Temptations turned to Ali-Ollie Woodson as their new primary lead singer. They also decided to mimic Earth, Wind & Fire. Now many groups have imitated EWF, but by 1984, no one was really doing that anymore.
This EWF sound was accomplished by hiring Al McKay and Ralph Johnson as producers. McKay had been a longtime guitarist for the elements, while Johnson was a percussionist.
Even if this is imitation, the Temptations did so with gusto. The album opener “Running” has the backing vocals straight-up copying the falsetto stylings of EWF. Ditto for “How Can You Say That It’s Over”. The good news is that the former is dance-pop done well and the latter is a foray into faux reggae. Appreciate the stylistics variety even if neither song is stunning.
Sandwiched in between these songs is the classic “Treat Her Like A Lady” written by Otis Williams and Woodson. This song has the Temptations sounding like the Temptations as Woodson runs his voice up, down, and all around the track. I remain pissed to this day that the song somehow did not at least crack the pop top 20 as it stalled out at #48.
The infectious dance track was basically a hit everywhere else: #2 R&B, #13 disco, #12 UK.
I mean, come on. How can you resist this song? (and don’t sleep on “Lady Soul” we’ll get to that song in a future review)
That sick dance song is followed up by the splendid ballad “My Love Is True (Truly For You)”. Unlike many 80s ballads, it eschews many terrible trappings of the era (can’t fully escape the Casio-like keyboards, though) and goes for a full sweet soul sound. And while it still has EWF influences, this is solidly a Temptations song with Ron Tyson taking the tenor/falsetto lead.
Well the LP’s second side hits you with a big ole dose of 80s cheesiness. The Casio keyboards are completely alive and well on the intro of “Memories”. Mercifully, they only pop up intermittently thereafter in the song. It’s mostly a solid R&B performance with a mostly live band. And the backing vocals start to veer a touch too close to the EWF model instead of being the Temptations’ brand of singing.
“Just To Keep You In My Life” is a straight up EWF song. Like, ain’t no influence, ain’t no touches, it’s a hijacking. At least it’s good, but just sayin’.
Well, maybe they need to stick with the EWF thievery, cuz “Set Your Love Right” is the weakest song on the album as it strays far away from EWF territory. The good news is that this album is good quality, so even the “worst” song here is still a decent listen as is the case with this dance-funk tune.
Hey, our friend Richard Street gets his once-an-album lead vocal on “I’ll Keep My Light In My Window”. Despite being sonically an EWF knock off, this song was actually written over a decade earlier by Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. It’s another pleasant song that doesn’t offend.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
A solid outing from the Temptations who actually add to their legacy for the first time since 1980’s Power thanks to the tremendous single “Treat Her Like A Lady”. Truly For You rose to #3 on the R&B album chart giving the group their first top 10 R&B album (besides the shtick of Reunion in 1982) since 1976.
Anyways, this would be the final above average album by the Temptations. Savor this moment, everyone.
Song Scores
Running: 6.5/10
Treat Her Like A Lady: 9/10
How Can You Say That It’s Over: 6/10
My Love Is True (Truly For You): 7.5/10
Memories: 6.5/10
Just to Keep You In My Life: 7/10
Set Your Love Right: 6/10
I’ll Keep My Light In My Window: 6/10