Cindy - The Best

[mysterysinger]

So which is the best Cindy. The Temptations, Bobby Taylor or Bobby Darin with Smokey? I'm going for Bobby Darin.

[WaitingWatchingLookingForAChance]

The Temptations

[arr&bee]

Nobody can sing[cindy] like the mighty temps, david at his best, should've been a single!!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Sorry for the duplicate.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

All three versions have their moments. Bobby Taylor's even features The Andantes, which is a big plus for me. Yet, still, my favorite rendition remains The Temptations'. It's the version I heard and loved first, and it's my favorite track from the 1968 "Wish It Would Rain" album.

I agree with arr&bee. "Cindy" should have been released as a single.

[lockhartgary]

The Tempts version is burned so strongly is my brain that no other version can remove it. That's not to say the other versions are bad by any stretch, but the Tempts knock it out of the park.

[thommg]

I don't remember hearing the Temptations version, but David sounds a little too rough for me on that track. I prefer Darin & Robinson's smooth approach to the song.

[lucky2012]

I don't remember hearing the Temptations version, but David sounds a little too rough for me on that track. I prefer Darin & Robinson's smooth approach to the song.

Agreed! On both counts.

[lockhartgary]

I don't remember hearing the Temptations version, but David sounds a little too rough for me on that track. I prefer Darin & Robinson's smooth approach to the song.

So you're saying that David is Ruffin it?

[thommg]

lockhartgary, this site need a laugh emoji!

[arr&bee]

so you're saying that david is ruffin it?

hehehehehehhhehehhehe!!!

[danman869]

Back in the '90s when I first heard The Temptations sing "Cindy," I couldn't help but wonder if the title was inspired by Miss Birdsong. Granted, I later learned the recording by The Tempts pre-dated Cynthia Ann's official arrival at Motown, but... I still wondered at that time considering the album came out in 1968.

OK, so for the question:

The BEST version?

1. The Temptations
2. Bobby Taylor [[a very close second!)
3. Bobby Darin with Smokey.

[johnjeb]

I've always loved The Temptations version. I know I have the other two versions but don't recall them at all.

So, I had a couple of drinks with dinner the other evening. I barely read the info in this thread and started to listen. I was listening on my phone and I had a little buzz. I was amazed at how much Bobby Darin sounded like Smokey on a couple of verses!!! Next time I'll limit my alcohol intake to one drink and read the posts a bit more closely - or maybe not.

[SatansBlues]

1. Temptations
2. Bobby Darin w/ Smokey
3. Bobby Taylor

[snakepit]

I've always loved The Temptations version. I know I have the other two versions but don't recall them at all.

So, I had a couple of drinks with dinner the other evening. I barely read the info in this thread and started to listen. I was listening on my phone and I had a little buzz. I was amazed at how much Bobby Darin sounded like Smokey on a couple of verses!!! Next time I'll limit my alcohol intake to one drink and read the posts a bit more closely - or maybe not.

You realize that Bobby Darin's version is a duet with Smokey Robinson??

[johnjeb]

You realize that Bobby Darin's version is a duet with Smokey Robinson??

Um, yes, lol. But only after I read the posts more thoroughly and I was more clearheaded after my 2-drink binge. Thankfully I didn’t have a third drink or I might have thought Bobby Darin sounded like Diana.

[snakepit]

Lol
Have a drink on me

[MIKEW-UK]

I was truly dumbfounded The Temps and Dzvid every time. And yet, taking the time to truly listen to Bobby Darin, that is serious rendition

[robb_k]

I like Bobby Taylor's lead vocal a little better than David's, but I like The Temptations' background vocals better than The Andantes and whoever else was on Taylor's cut. But, I like the musical arrangement a little better on Taylor's. But, I like the guitar on Darin's version best. So, overall, Bobby's beats out The Temptations' by a small margin.

I have another Motown-related "Cindy" by Cornelius Grant and The Blenders, from 1962.

[Ed H]

I found this hard, never having listened to any of them before. Started with the Temps. Apart from David's voice, it just sounded like a generic Motown song as if a bit of a rushed production. The Bobby Taylor version had a better production overall but still a generic more 70s motown sound. In the Darin/Smokey version, I felt the song was performed more as it was intended when written and you got to hear the tune and words better + the simple guitar accompaniment had a nice feel. Overall though, I didn't like any of them.