The Temptations, Beauty is Only Skin Deep | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 91^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” by the iconic Motown collective, The Temptations. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 91^st edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” performed by The Temptations. 

“Now good looks I’ve learned to live without / ‘Cause now I know it’s love that only counts.” If only that were the case these days! “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” commences assertively with biting trumpets and a heavy-handed drum roll.  Soon enough, this brief but potent gem from The Temptations settles into a cool, classy groove. “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” was written by Eddie Holland and Norman Whitfield.  Whitfield also produced the classic. The instrumental arrangement is superb.  The rhythm section cooks, while the horns up the ante with those articulated riffs. Notably, The Temptations weren’t the first to record this cut.  Smokey Robinson & The Miracles took those honors.  Even so, The Temptations released it as a single and made it a hit. “Beauty” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.

Who handles lead vocals on “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” for the iconic Motown collective? That would be the dynamic David Ruffin.  Ruffin is on his ‘A game’ delivering soulful, gritty lead vocals.  The Temptations back him superbly, keeping the same energy, especially in the chorus.  Ruffin has tuneful melodies to work with and memorable and thoughtful lyrics (“A pretty face may be some guy’s taste / But I’ll take lovin’ in its place”). Of course, the crème de la crème is the chorus, among the catchiest of the group’s career:

“‘Cause I know that

Beauty is only skin-deep

Yeah, yeah, yeah

I know that

Beauty’s only skin-deep

Oh, yeah.”

Oh, yeah, indeed! “Beauty is Only Skin Deep” is utterly delightful – The Temptations at their best!

The Temptations // 50^th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1961-1971 // Motown // 2011

The Temptations, Beauty is Only Skin Deep: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 91 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]