It was written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers,[1] the authors of the Temptations' first hit single, "The Way You Do the Things You Do".
"First I Look at the Purse" was the last Contours hit featuring original lead Billy Gordon.
It also features the renewed line-up of Contours, as several original members had left back in 1964.
Shortly after its release, Gordon departed the group, and Motown, due to personal problems.
It has also appeared in several Contours' Motown "Greatest Hits" CD compilations.