"Please Return Your Love to Me" is a 1968 hit single by

The Temptations The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top ...

for the Gordy ( Motown) label. Produced by

Norman Whitfield Norman Jesse Whitfield (May 12, 1940 – September 16, 2008) was an American songwriter and producer, who worked with Berry Gordy's Motown labels during the 1960s. allmusic Biography/ref> He has been credited as one of the creators of the Mo ...

, who co-wrote the song with

Barrett Strong Barrett Strong (born February 5, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best known for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfi ...

and Barbara Neely, it is the last single to feature

David Ruffin David Eli Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin;Ribowsky, p. 88 January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations (1964–68) during the group's "Clas ...

in the lineup (he is featured in the background). With

Eddie Kendricks Edward James Kendrick (December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992), better known as Eddie Kendricks, was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group the Temptation ...

singing lead (his first as a solo lead vocalist since 1966's " Get Ready"), it peaked on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 Pop charts in the Top 30 at number 26, and number 4 on the Billboard R&B Singles charts. '' Billboard'' described the single as a "strong easy beat ballad loaded with sales appeal." '' Cash Box'' said that it is "in a slow vein that carries new shades of power in the group’s familiar style" and is "backed by the solid Motown rhythm section." The b-side, "

How Can I Forget "How Can I Forget" was originally recorded as a love ballad by Motown group The Temptations in 1968 and was re-recorded in a psychedelic soul/ funk styling by fellow Motown artist, Marvin Gaye in 1969. His version, released on Motown's first s ...

", is led by Paul Williams and was allegedly one of the earliest songs recorded by the group after Ruffin's departure. Though "How Can I Forget" was also covered by Marvin Gaye, the Temptations' original did not appear on any album or compilation until 1994's ''Emperors of Soul'' box set.

Personnel

* Lead vocals by

* Background vocals by

Melvin Franklin David Melvin English (October 12, 1942 – February 23, 1995) better known by the stage name Melvin Franklin, or his nickname "Blue", was an American bass singer. Franklin was best known for his role as a founding member of Motown singing ...

, Paul Williams,

, and

Otis Williams Otis Williams (born Otis Miles Jr.; October 30, 1941) is an American baritone singer.Ribowsky, Mark (2010). ''Ain't Too Proud to Beg: The Troubled Lives and Endearing Soul of the Temptations''. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 7–9 He is o ...

* Written by

and

*Produced by

* Instrumentation by

The Funk Brothers The Funk Brothers were a group of Detroit-based session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown recordings from 1959 until the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972. Its members are considered among the most successful groups of stud ...

Notes

1968 singles The Temptations songs Songs written by Barrett Strong Songs written by Norman Whitfield Song recordings produced by Norman Whitfield Gordy Records singles 1968 songs {{1960s-R&B-song-stub