The Temptations formed in 1961 and were made up of singers from several doo-wop groups. The Cavaliers (1955-57), The Primes (1957 -1960), The Siberians/The El Domingoes (1958 -1959), Otis Williams & The Distants (1959 -1960), and The Elgins (1959 - 1960). The Elgins re-christen themselves, The Temptations before signing with Miracle Records, a subsidiary of Motown Records in 1961.

A cover version (or cover) is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a recently recorded song. A re-record, by comparison, takes place long after the original was released. The term "cover version" came to imply rival commercial recordings of the tune aimed at different tastes.

Fred King was born in Gilmer, Texas in 1934 to Ella Mae King and J. T. Christian. Influenced by his mother and uncle, both proficient guitar players, Fred learned to play rural country blues when he was six. His early influences were Sam Lightnin Hopkins and jump blues saxophonist, Louis Jordan.

After the success of Rock’n’Roll, many African American artists started to explore their musical heritage and look beyond blues and R&B for inspiration. The terms ‘funk’ and ‘rock’n’roll were euphemisms for sex, with the former referring to the smells of intimacy and the latter the act.

The Meters were put together in 1965 when keyboard player Arthur 'Art' Neville (1937-2019) recruited George Porter, Jr. (bass guitar), Joseph (Zigaboo) Modeliste (drums) and Leo Nocentelli (guitar, vocals).