What 1971 single by The Undisputed Truth was produced by Norman Whitfield?
Answer
Smiling Faces Sometimes
What 1971 single by The Undisputed Truth was produced by Norman Whitfield? The answer is “Smiling Faces Sometimes.”
Released on May 13, 1971, “Smiling Faces Sometimes” was written by Motown collaborators Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Whitfield first developed the song with the Temptations, but after Eddie Kendricks left that group, he re-recorded it with his newer protégés, the Undisputed Truth.
The Undisputed Truth’s version became the group’s signature recording. Its lyrics warn listeners not to trust every friendly smile, handshake, or pat on the back, giving the song a suspicious and psychologically tense mood. Whitfield’s production blends psychedelic soul with pop-funk and dramatic studio arranging.
The single reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the U.S. R&B chart. A common mix-up is “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” another Whitfield production associated with the Temptations and released in 1972. The Undisputed Truth version also differs sharply from the Temptations’ much longer album recording, which runs for more than 12 minutes.