Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

About this song

Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote the song, and Whitfield produced it. It was released as a single on the Gordy label in late September 1972 and became a major hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the group's third single to do so, and winning three Grammy Awards in 1973. Whitfield had first recorded it with The Undisputed Truth, whose version reached #24 on the R&B chart earlier that year.

Fun facts

• It's actually a cover of “P”.
• Sampled in 6 other songs, like “Avalanche by Migos”.
• Covered 18 times, including “Papa Was a Rolling Stone by Piano Project”.
• Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong.
• Produced by Norman Whitfield.