Beauty's Only Skin Deep

[Ivory Fair]

Ivory opens up Winamp, browses to the Temptations directory on her hard drive, hits the random button and out comes..........

So in love sad as could be,
'Cause a pretty face got the best of me.
Suddenly you came into my life
And gave it meaning and pure delight.

Now good looks I've learned to do without,
'Cause now I know it's LOVE that only counts!

Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Beauty's only skin deep, oh yeah!

Now you speak your words warm and sincere,
And it lets me know that your love is dear.
A pretty face you may not posses,
But what I like about you is your tenderness.

A pretty face maybe some guys taste,
But I'll take good lovin' in it's place.
'Cause I know,

Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Beauty's only skin deep, oh yeah!

My friends ask what do I see in you,
But it goes deeper than the eye can view.
You have a pleasing personality
And that's an ever-lovin' RARE quality!

Now show me a girl, a girl that's fine,
And I'll choose the one with true-lovin' every time!
'Cause I know,

Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Beauty's only skin deep, oh yeah!

So if you're lookin' for a lover,
Don't judge a book by its cover.
She may be fine on the outside,
But SO untrue on the inside.

And let's not forget....

Beauty's only skin-deep, but ugly is to the bone!!!

Random thoughts......

Would we love this song as much if it didn't have the little xylophone, tinky-tink sounds at the beginning?

Did the Tempts ever REALLY date any ugly women? Did they practice what they preached? Not likey.

[SoulStirrer]

I like the end, the version(there's more than one) where the rhythm section is jamming at the end(guitars get mixed out) and David sez "Beauty's Only Skin Deep, yes, yes, yes". I think this is the single, instead of the album cut.

[SoulStirrer]

And I heard two things:

1.The Temptations weren't crazy about this song, but Quality Control convinced them that this was a hit.

2. Jimmy Ruffin is to have said to have sung the original version.

[Ivory Fair]

I can only imagine what they thought when Pops (if he was the one who came up with it) told them that he wanted to them to pirouette at the beginning of the song.

What do y'all think? Was that a Cholly thing or a Paul?

[SoulStirrer]

Ivory said:

I can only imagine what they thought when Pops (if he was the one who came up with it) told them that he wanted to them to pirouette at the beginning of the song.

What do y'all think? Was that a Cholly thing or a Paul?

Probably Pops. Unless they needed to get something done quickly, ala Get Ready or Stop In the Name of Love.

Then there's Ruffin taking off his glasses...

[Ivory Fair]

You think Paul only came up with stuff when they were in a hurry? Hmmmm.......

I've got an interview of Cholly talking about how he brought more "schooled" elements to the movements where Paul brought a more "street" element to them. For example, I think the beloved "circle" is definately Paul's baby.

[Cadeho]

Why are there always different versions?! Some songs end sooner than other versions... other have extra lyrics.. why not just use one?!

[SoulStirrer]

Ivory said:

You think Paul only came up with stuff when they were in a hurry? Hmmmm.......

I've got an interview of Cholly talking about how he brought more "schooled" elements to the movements where Paul brought a more "street" element to them. For example, I think the beloved "circle" is definately Paul's baby.

Nope, but Berry Gordy would want polish in the movements, which would mean Pops had a big influence.
Berry wanted that crossover $$$$.

[SoulStirrer]

Cadeho said:

Why are there always different versions?! Some songs end sooner than other versions... other have extra lyrics.. why not just use one?!

Different mixing, album space, etc. I've always preferred the singles mixes of "Beauty's Only Skin Deep", "You're My Everything" and "All I Need", because of the extras.

I don't like the guitars mixed into "Get Ready" as much, the rhythm section should dominate.

Now, I wish Motown would just keep the tape rolling on these songs, when reproducing them on CD, you can hear interesting stuff.

[Cadeho]

I didn't like that the "Dream Come True" on "Meet the Temptations" was shorter than EOS and "Baby, Baby I Need You" is shorter on EOS. UGH!!!!

[SoulStirrer]

I must hear:

Ruffin crying at the end of "All I Need".

Kendricks swinging at the end of "The Girls Alright With Me".

David riffing at the end of "You're My Everything".

David singing "Yes, yes, yes", at the end of "Beauty Only Skin Deep".

Paul always singing "Believe me, when I tell ya" on any song.

Eddie, soaring on "Don't Send Me Away".

[iratherlikeme]

Baby, Baby I Need You sounds plenty long to me. It's longer somewhere else?

[SoulStirrer]

Yep, Paul and Eddie make it last a little longer. (Ain't that a gum commercial?)

[iratherlikeme]

Say goodbye a little longer, make it last a little longer... with Big Red.

[iratherlikeme]

I must hear:

Ruffin crying at the end of "All I Need".

Hold on. He cries?! I never noticed. Let me go hear.