The Temptations recorded “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” for their 1971 14th studio album, Sky’s The Limit. Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote the song that featured Eddie Kendrick’s falsetto on lead. They employed an orchestra to create a dreamy feeling that matched the song’s message and the arrangement elevated the pureness of Kendrick’s voice. The performance was epic and “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” became the third single to hit number one for them. Fans were relieved to hear the single because it was a return to the group’s previous sound. Whitfield and Strong had focused on psychedelic soul influenced by the music Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone were making at the time. “Cloud Nine” and “Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)” were hits but fans were still attached to the earlier style.” Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” was more than familiar territory because it was slated to become one of the group’s signature songs.
Sky’s The Limit was the last time Kendricks recorded with the group before leaving for a solo career after multiple conflicts with members Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin. Paul Williams’ co-leading part was his goodbye because his health was declining and he retired from The Temptations later that year. Williams and Kendricks made their last television appearance with the group when they performed the single on The Ed Sullivan Show. “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” is one of The Temptations’ greatest songs, and it has been covered at least 40 times by The Rolling Stones, Donald Byrd, Boyz II Men, Rod Stewart, Dianne Reeves, and more. Otis Williams still leads and tours with The Temptations in 2025.
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