If I Don't Love You This Way: The Jackson 5 vs. The Temptations

[midnightman]

Another game of "who did it better".

Up today are the top two male groups in Motown history: the Jackson 5 and the Temptations.

First, the Jackson 5:


[[This song was actually gonna be on MJ's solo album Forever, Michael but the "surprise" top 5 Grammy nominated success of Dancing Machine pushed the album to another year...and possibly hampered sales of that album but the J5 were set to leave Motown around this time)

[midnightman]

And now, the Temptations [[with Richard singing lead):

[RanRan79]

I don't get into what's "better", but as to which one I prefer, it's the Tempts. I dig the overall sound of the Tempts' version more than the J5. I don't particularly care for the J5 version.

[sansradio]

I gotta go with J5 on this one. I love the production values and orchestrations, and MJ’s aching vocal sends me every time. Maybe I’m biased because it’s the version I grew up with, but, for me, it’s no contest [[all respect due to Richard and The Tempts).

[midnightman]

Ran, it's all in fun.

[RanRan79]

Ran, it's all in fun.

Of course it is to us. But because some folks around here like to confuse opinions for facts...it's always good to use words like "prefer".

[midnightman]

Of course it is to us. But because some folks around here like to confuse opinions for facts...it's always good to use words like "prefer".

Hehe I feel ya.

[Bluebrock]

And now, the Temptations [[with Richard singing lead):

Love them both, but if i was forced to choose i would have to go with the super Tempting Temptations.
As regards the J5 and the Temps being the top two male vocal groups i am sure some Four Tops fans on here would have something to say about that. I can only assume you going by record sales or chart positions rather than the quality of the music?

[jaybs]

Love both, but perhaps The Temptations just have the edge.

[Motown Eddie]

I'm going with The Jackson 5 for the best version of "If I Don't Love You This Way". I've been enjoying this song by The Jacksons for years [[and since I've never listened to the House Party LP, I didn't even know about the version by The Tempts until this post). Motown was giving Michael Jackson & Co. good songs that were more adult in tone just before they left the label [[like "If I Don't Love You This Way" & "All I Do Is Think Of You").

[midnightman]

Interesting thoughts.

I do like Richard attacking this song though so I get the Tempts bias.

[midnightman]

I'm going with The Jackson 5 for the best version of "If I Don't Love You This Way". I've been enjoying this song by The Jacksons for years [[and since I've never listened to the House Party LP, I didn't even know about the version by The Tempts until this post). Motown was giving Michael Jackson & Co. good songs that were more adult in tone just before they left the label [[like "If I Don't Love You This Way" & "All I Do Is Think Of You").

Here's a fun fact: Mary J. Blige covered this song [[the original MJ/J5 version) for, I think, a Japanese edition of her 2003 recording, Love and Life.

[sansradio]

Here's a fun fact: Mary J. Blige covered this song [[the original MJ/J5 version) for, I think, a Japanese edition of her 2003 recording, Love and Life.

I did not know that! What do you think of MJB's version?

[DrTemptation]

The Temptations did it Best. It was Richard Streets better leads.

[alexstassi]

I always knew J5's version first so prefer it... The Tempts version for me is good also... and Mary J did a great cover..
So 3 good versions of this song for me.

[midnightman]

I did not know that! What do you think of MJB's version?

Real good. Take a listen:

[arr&bee]

Not a great song even when sung by the temps[it kinda drags].

[DJMoch]

The Jackson 5 version for me, only because I heard it first years ago. I only discovered the Temptations' version a few months ago.

[sansradio]

Real good. Take a listen:

Outstanding! What an excellent, off-the-beaten-track choice to cover! Thanks!