"Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" is a song from 1966. It was written by Norman Whitfield and Edward Holland, Jr., and produced by Whitfield. Norman Whitfield recorded the music without lyrics for the song. Two years later, Whitfield worked with Eddie Holland to write the lyrics for the song.
Before the Temptations recorded it, other artists also performed the song. These included Jimmy Ruffin, who was the older brother of David Ruffin, and The Miracles. The Miracles were the first to record the song in 1964, but their version was not released as a single. It was later included on their 1966 album called Away We a Go-Go.
The Temptations recording
The song was a popular hit in 1966 when The Temptations recorded it for the Gordy (Motown) label. Billboard described the single as a "smooth rocker featuring bongo and brass and a well-performed vocal on a strong lyric." It reached number three on the pop charts and number one on the R&B charts in the United States. In other countries, it became a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number 18 on the UK Singles Chart in late 1966. The song was not included on a regular Temptations studio album but was added to the group's 1966 Greatest Hits album.
Billie Jean Brown, who managed Motown's quality control, chose the song as a single. The group tried to change this decision by appealing to Motown's leader, Berry Gordy, who preferred the song over the group's original choice. The record became more successful than the group members had expected.
Cash Box magazine wrote that it is "a lively song with a steady rhythm and finger-snapping beats, performed in the group’s energetic style."
- Lead vocals by David Ruffin
- Background vocals by Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and Otis Williams
- Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers