About the song
“Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” is a classic soul song released in 1971 by the legendary Motown group, The Temptations. The song was written by the prolific songwriting duo of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, who were responsible for many of The Temptations’ biggest hits, including “Cloud Nine,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and “The Last My Love.”
“Just My Imagination” is a lush and romantic ballad that tells the story of a man who is so deeply in love with a woman that he can’t help but imagine a future with her, even though they are not actually together. The song’s lyrics are full of vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion, and they are perfectly complemented by the group’s soaring vocals and Whitfield’s signature orchestral arrangements.
The song was a major hit upon its release, reaching number one on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and Beyoncé. “Just My Imagination” is considered to be one of The Temptations’ greatest songs, and it has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.