Released 60 years ago
Gettin' Ready
The Temptations · 1966
33 min · 12 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of soul and rhythm and blues, marked by lush harmonies and infectious grooves that define the Motown sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ain’t Too Proud to Beg — This song captures the yearning of lost love with emotional intensity, becoming a defining anthem for The Temptations and a staple in their live performances.
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Get Ready Start here — With its energetic beat and catchy hook, this track exemplifies the upbeat spirit of Motown while highlighting the group's vocal prowess.
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Lonely, Lonely Man Am I — This ballad showcases the group’s ability to convey deep emotion through soulful harmonies, marking a poignant moment on the album.
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Too Busy Thinking About My Baby — The smooth groove and heartfelt lyrics reflect a perfect blend of romance and melancholy, illustrating the complexities of love.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and vocal arrangements, with effective pacing and emotional contrasts.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track, followed by a series of upbeat songs that maintain a consistent groove.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the interaction between the lead and background singers.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove
- sing-along friendly melodies
- uplifting tunes for gatherings
- nostalgic vibes for reminiscing
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of slow ballads
- prefer lengthy, sprawling albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified their place in Motown after the hit 'My Girl'.
- Themes
- Motown romance· 1960s love anticipation· soulful heartbreak
- Career context
- Gettin' Ready was the fifth studio album released by The Temptations, arriving in January 1966 just after their major hit, My Girl. This album solidified their place in the Motown roster as they transitioned from early hits to more complex arrangements and themes, showcasing their growth as artists during a pivotal moment in their career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Supremes· Marvin Gaye· Earth, Wind & Fire
Tracklist
- 1 Say You 2:34
- 2 Little Miss Sweetness 3:12
- 3 Ain’t Too Proud to Beg 2:34
- 4 Get Ready Start here 2:40
- 5 Lonely, Lonely Man Am I 2:37
- 6 Too Busy Thinking About My Baby 2:42
- 7 I’ve Been Good to You 3:03
- 8 It’s a Lonely World Without Your Love 2:35
- 9 Fading Away 2:41
- 10 Who You Gonna Run To 3:08
- 11 You’re Not an Ordinary Girl 2:54
- 12 Not Now (I’ll Tell You Later) 2:55
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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