You've Got to Earn It

"You've Got to Earn It" is a 1964 song recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. It was released as the B-side to their 1965 Top 40 hit "Since I Lost My Baby", and was also able to chart on its own, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Pop Charts. On Billboard's R&B singles chart, "You've Got to Earn It" peaked at number 22.^[1] It was written by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, who also was the song’s producer, and the group’s main guitarist, Cornelius Grant. Grant did not play guitar on the song as he was out on tour during the recording session.^[2]

"You've Got to Earn It"
Single by The Temptations
from the album The Temptin' Temptations
A-side	"Since I Lost My Baby"
Released	June 1, 1965
Recorded	Hitsville USA (Studio A); June 12 and August 18, 1964
Genre	Soul
Length	2:42
Label	Gordy G 7043
Songwriter(s)	Smokey Robinson Cornelius Grant
Producer(s)	Smokey Robinson
The Temptations singles chronology
"It's Growing" (1965) "Since I Lost My Baby" / "You've Got to Earn It" (1965) "My Baby" / "Don't Look Back" (1965)

Cash Box described it as a "rhythmic, hand-clappin’ happy-go-lucky romancer."^[3]

Personnel

• Lead vocals by Eddie Kendricks
• Background vocals by Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, David Ruffin, and Otis Williams
• Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers

Chart history

Chart (1965)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100	123
U.S. Billboard R&B Singles	22