Law of the Land (song)

"Law of the Land" is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield for the Motown label. A socially-conscious funk track with elements of early disco music, it details the rules of human society that people have to accept and live by.

Details

The song was recorded by both of Whitfield's groups, The Temptations and The Undisputed Truth, in 1973 (January and April, respectively), and both versions were given single release. The Temptations' version was released as a UK-only single by Tamla Motown, and just missed out on the UK Top 40, reaching #41. That version was included on volume eight of the Motown Chartbusters compilation album series. The Undisputed Truth released their version of song that same year, and it became a minor hit in America, making #40 on the R&B Charts.

Personnel

Temptations version

Lead vocals by Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris
Background vocals by Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams

Undisputed Truth version

Lead and background vocals by Joe Harris, Billie Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce Evans

Covers

The Undisputed Truth, having been disbanded for most of the 1980s, reformed with Brainstorm vocalist Belita Woods to record a new version of the song for Motown lover Ian Levine and his Motorcity Records label. The rerecorded song (with some new lyrics added) was released as an 8-minute long 12" single in 1991.^[1]

References

↑ "Undisputed Truth, The* - Law Of The Land (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-10-04.

The Temptations

Otis Williams Ron Tyson Terry Weeks Larry Braggs Willie Green Melvin Franklin Eddie Kendricks Paul Williams Elbridge Bryant David Ruffin Dennis Edwards Ricky Owens Richard Street Damon Harris Glenn Leonard Louis Price Ali-Ollie Woodson Theo Peoples Harry McGilberry Barrington "Bo" Henderson Ray Davis G. C. Cameron Joe Herndon Bruce Williamson

Studio albums	Meet the Temptations The Temptations Sing Smokey The Temptin' Temptations Gettin' Ready The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul The Temptations Wish It Would Rain Cloud Nine Puzzle People Psychedelic Shack Sky's the Limit Solid Rock All Directions Masterpiece 1990 A Song for You House Party Wings of Love The Temptations Do the Temptations Bare Back Hear to Tempt You Power The Temptations Reunion Surface Thrills Back to Basics Truly for You Touch Me To Be Continued... Together Again Special Milestone Phoenix Rising Ear-Resistible Awesome Legacy Still Here

Cover albums	The Temptations in a Mellow Mood For Lovers Only Reflections Back to Front

Live albums	Temptations Live! Live at the Copa Live at London's Talk of the Town The Temptations in Japan

Other albums	Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations TCB The Temptations Show Together On Broadway The Temptations Christmas Card Give Love at Christmas Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968)

Compilations	Greatest Hits Greatest Hits II Anthology Emperors of Soul The Ultimate Collection My Girl: The Very Best of the Temptations Psychedelic Soul

Singles (US/UK Top 10)	"My Girl" "Get Ready" "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" "(I Know) I'm Losing You" "All I Need" "You're My Everything" "I Wish It Would Rain" "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" "Cloud Nine" "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" "Run Away Child, Running Wild" "I Can't Get Next to You" "Psychedelic Shack" "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" "Masterpiece" "Let Your Hair Down" "Happy People" "Shakey Ground" "Treat Her Like a Lady" "The Motown Song" "My Girl" (reissue)

Related	The Temptations (miniseries) Discography The Supremes The Undisputed Truth Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong Sly Stone George Clinton

Book Category

The Temptations singles discography

1960s	"Oh Mother of Mine" (1961) "Check Yourself" (1961) "(You're My) Dream Come True" (1962) "Mind Over Matter (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)" (1962) "Paradise" (1962) "I Want a Love I Can See" (1963) "Farewell My Love" (1963) "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (1964) "I'll Be in Trouble" (1964) / "The Girl's Alright with Me" (1964) "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" (1964) "My Girl" (1964) "It's Growing" (1965) "Since I Lost My Baby" (1965) / "You've Got to Earn It" (1965) "My Baby" (1965) / "Don't Look Back" (1965) "Get Ready" (1966) "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (1966) "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" (1966) "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (1966) "All I Need" (1967) "You're My Everything" (1967) / "I've Been Good To You" (1967) "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need" (1967) "I Wish It Would Rain" (1968) / "I Truly, Truly Believe" (1968) "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" (1968) "Please Return Your Love to Me" (1968) "Cloud Nine" (1968) "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1968) / "Silent Night" (1968) "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (1969) "Runaway Child, Running Wild" (1969) "I'll Try Something New" (1969) "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down" (1969) "I Second That Emotion" (1969) "I Can't Get Next to You" (1969) "The Weight" (1969)

1970s	"Psychedelic Shack" (1970) "Why (Must We Fall in Love)" (1970) "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" (1970) "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)" (1970) / "Hum Along and Dance" (1970) "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (1971) "It's Summer" (1971) "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1971) "Take a Look Around" (1972) "Mother Nature" (1972) / "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" (1972) "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (1972) "Masterpiece" (1973) "Plastic Man" (1973) "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)" (1973) "Law of the Land" (1973) "Let Your Hair Down" (1973) "Heavenly" (1974) "You've Got My Soul on Fire" (1974) "Happy People" (1974) "Shakey Ground" (1975) "Glasshouse" (1975) "Keep Holdin' On" (1976) "Up the Creek (Without a Paddle)" (1976) "Who are You (and What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life)" (1976) "In a Lifetime" (1977) "Think for Yourself" (1977) "Bare Back" (1978) "Ever Ready Love" (1978)

1980s	"Power" (1980) "Struck By Lightning Twice" (1980) "Aiming At Your Heart" (1981) "Oh What A Night" (1981) "Standing On The Top - Pt. 1" (1982) "More On The Inside" (1982) "Money's Hard To Get" (1982) "Love On My Mind Tonight" (1983) "Surface Thrills" (1983) "Miss Busy Body (Get Your Body Busy)" (1983) "Sail Away" (1984) "Treat Her Like a Lady" (1984) "My Love Is True (Truly For You)" (1985) "How Can You Say That It's Over" (1985) "Do You Really Love Your Baby" (1985) "Deeper Than Love" (1985) "Touch Me" (1986) "I'm Fascinated" (1986) "A Fine Mess" (1986) "My Girl" (re-issue) (1986) "Lady Soul" (1986) "To Be Continued..." (1986) "Someone" (1987) "I Wonder Who She's Seeing Now" (1987) "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (re-issue) (1987) "Look What You Started" (1987) "Do You Wanna Go With Me" (1988) "All I Want From You" (1989) "Special" (1989) "Loveline" (1989)

1990s	"Soul to Soul" (1990) "One Step At A Time (Remix)" (1990) "The Motown Song" (1991) "The Jones" (1991) "My Girl" (re-issue) (1992) "Hoops of Fire" (1992) "Error of Our Ways" (1994) "Silent Night" (1995) "Stay" (1998) "This is My Promise" (1998) "How Could He Hurt You" (1999)

2000s	"I'm Here" (2000)

The Undisputed Truth

Joe Harris Billie Rae Calvin Brenda Joyce Evans Virginia "V" McDonald Tyrone "Big Ty" Douglas Tyrone "Lil Ty" Barkeley Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson Taka Boom Marcy Thomas Melvin Stewart Lloyd Williams

Studio albums	The Undisputed Truth (1971) Face to Face With the Truth (1972) Law of the Land (1973) Down to Earth (1974) Cosmic Truth (1975) Higher Than High (1975) Method to the Madness (1976) Smokin' (1979)

Singles	"Save My Love for a Rainy Day" (1971) "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (1971) "You Make Your Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" (1971) "What It Is" (1972) "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (1972) "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1972) "Girl, You're Alright" (1972) "Mama, I Got a Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)" (1973) "Law of the Land" (1973) "Help Yourself" (1974) "I'm a Fool for You" (1974) "Lil' Red Riding Hood" (1974) "UFOs" (1975) "Higher Than High" (1975) "Boogie Bump Boogie" (1975) "You + Me = Love" (1976) "Let's Go Down to the Disco" (1976) "Sunshine" (1977) "Show Time" (1979) "I Can't Get Enough of Your Love" (1979)

Related articles	Norman Whitfield The Temptations

Book:The Undisputed Truth

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