Ain't Too Proud To Beg (1:41)

“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” is a 1966 song and hit single by The Temptations for Motown Records’ Gordy label, produced by Norman Whitfield and written by Whitfield and Edward Holland, Jr. David Ruffin sings the lead, and he pushed himself beyond his vocal range to achieve a more emotional and raw sound. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and it was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B charts for eight non-consecutive weeks. It was also a huge hit in the United Kingdom, reaching the #21 spot.

The song has been covered by a wide variety of artists since, including The Rolling Stones (in a highly successful single from their 1974 album ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll’), Rick Astley, Willie Bobo, and many others. Considered an iconic part of the Motown canon, the tune has appeared in a wide variety of TV shows and films as well.