"All Directions" is a 1972 album by The Temptations, released under the Gordy label Motown. Produced by Norman Whitfield, the album achieved significant success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 and becoming their twelfth album to top the Top R&B Albums chart. This marked it as the band's most successful non-collaborative album on the charts, showcasing their influential sound during that era.
All Directions features the iconic #1 hit "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," a cover of a song by The Undisputed Truth, which won three Grammy Awards in 1973. The album marked the end of Barrett Strong's involvement as a lyricist for The Temptations, as both his contributions to the album were covers. Despite initial resistance from the group regarding "Papa," it became a signature song and highlighted their shift in sound.
The album also includes the Edwin Starr cover "Funky Music Sho' 'Nuff Turns Me On," as well as "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" and "I Ain't Got Nothin'," showcasing a mix of styles and themes. Although the first single "Mother Nature" had modest success, "Papa" propelled the album to major acclaim, solidifying The Temptations' legacy in music history.
