The Temptations – Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)

The Temptations – Ball of Confusion singing live at Smokey Robison Show – 08.09.1970

“Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” – Single by the Temptations from the album Greatest Hits II
B-side: “It’s Summer”
Released: May 7, 1970
Recorded: April 12 and 14, 1970
Songwriters: Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong
Producer: Norman Whitfield
Charted: No.3 in US and No.7 in UK

“Ball Of Confusion” was one of the many psychedelic soul records Norman Whitfield wrote and produced for the Temptations between the late ’60 and early ’70s. The song tries to make sense of the chaos and disorder pervading the times.

Lyrically, the song attacked the Vietnam War, Nixon’s government, and drug addiction, making it one of the few protest records that came from Motown.

Lead vocals by Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and Melvin Franklin
Background vocals by Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams

The song was used to anchor the Temptations’ 1970 Greatest Hits II LP. It reached number 3 on the US pop charts and number 2 on the US R&B charts. Billboard ranked the record as the number 24 song of 1970. It reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart.