I'm astounded that Otis' version of "My Girl" could possibly have been better known in Europe -- or, indeed, anywhere -- than the Motown original recorded by the Temptations. Smokey Robinson wrote it specifically to fit Eddie Kendricks' voice as the lead element in an enemble; the multiple vocal parts are intrinsic to the song, so much so that no solo performer could possibly do justice to the original. Are you guys *sure* you haven't been discussing the Temptations' record all along?

In the US, Otis' cover was nothing more than an obscure album cut while the Tempt's original was one of the greatest hits *ever.*

Otis is a great hero of mine, and his rough-hewn approach often brought a whole new flavor to songs formerly heard only in a much sweeter vein -- "Try a Little Tenderness" is probably the best example of this type of reinterpretation. But I don't think his rendition of "My Girl," while interesting and (of course) soulful as always, was in any way comparable to the original.