Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)

“Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” is a song by American soul group the Temptations, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Released on the Gordy (Motown) label, and produced by Norman Whitfield, it features on the group’s 1971 album, Sky’s the Limit. When released as a single, “Just My Imagination” became the third Temptations song to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single held the number one position on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart for two weeks in 1971, from March 27 to April 10. “Just My Imagination” also held the number one spot on the Billboard R&B Singles chart for three weeks, from February 27 to March 20 of that year.

Motown released “Just My Imagination” as a single on their Gordy label on January 14, 1971, with the up-tempo psychedelic soul song “You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth”, from the 1970 Psychedelic Shack LP, as the B-side. The Temptations performed “Just My Imagination” and “Get Ready” for their final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, broadcast live on January 31.

On February 7, 1971, “Just My Imagination” entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 71 and later number one on both the Hot 100 and the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles charts. It also became the group’s first entry on the Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number 33; the group would not return to that chart until 1984.