Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations marks the first on-record appearance of new Temptations lead singer Dennis Edwards, who was brought in as David Ruffin's replacement in July 1968.
All of the tracks on the album are covers of songs for other artists. Both "I Second That Emotion" and "I'll Try Something New" were originally recorded by Motown's Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, while "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" was an outside hit for Dee Dee Warwick before it became a hit for the Supremes and Temptations. Motown's Marvin Gaye had previously had hits with "Try It Baby" and, as a duet with Tammi Terrell, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". "This Guy's in Love with You" was a hit for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass , while "Funky Broadway" had been recorded as a hit for Wilson Pickett. The Sweet Inspirations' signature song, "Sweet Inspirations", is also covered here, as is Stevie Wonder's "A Place in the Sun", The Four Tops' "Then", and the show tune "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha.
Frank Wilson served as executive producer of the project. Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, joint-recorded at both the main Hitsville USA studio in Detroit, Michigan, the Golden World studio in Detroit, and satellite studios in Los Angeles, primarily features leads by Diana Ross of the Supremes and Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations, with additional leads by Temptations Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin.
Uptight
Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uptight, out of sight
Baby, everything is all right
Uptight, out of sight
I'm a poorman's son from across the railroad tracks
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back
But I'm the envy of every single guy
When we go out stepping on the town
For a while my money's low and my suit's out of style
But it's all right if my clothes aren't new
Out of sight because my heart is true
She says baby everything is all right
Uptight, out of sight
Baby, everything is all right
Uptight, clean out of sight
Baby, everything is all right
Uptight, out of sight
I'm a pearl of a girl
I guess that's what you might say
I guess her folks brought her up that way
The right side of the tracks
She was born and raised
In a great big old house full of butlers and maids
She says give her the things
That money can buy but I'll never
Never never make my baby cry
And it's all right
What if I can't do
Out of sight because my heart is true
She says baby everything is all right
Uptight, clean out of sight
Baby, everything is all right
Uptight, clean out of sight
No one is better than I
I know I'm just an average guy
No footfall hero or smooth Don Juan
Got empty pockets
You see I'm a poor man's son
The song Uptight by Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations is an upbeat and positive song about being content with what you have, even if you don't have much. The lyrics describe a man from humble beginnings who has won the heart of a beautiful girl. He may not have much material wealth, but his heart is true, and that's all that matters to her. Despite any financial limitations, the couple enjoys going out together and having a good time. The song's message is one of gratitude and positivity, emphasizing the importance of love over money.
The lyrics also touch on themes of social class, highlighting the divide between the "right side of the tracks" and those from poverty. The girl's family may have money and luxury, but it's the sincere love between her and the singer that matters the most. The song acknowledges that money can buy things, but it can never buy true love or happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, everything is all right
The singer is expressing that everything is going well in their life.
Uptight, out of sight
Despite some difficulties, everything is going well and everything is on track.
Baby, everything is all right
The singer restates that everything is good in their life.
Uptight, out of sight
Despite some difficulties, everything is going well and everything is on track.
I'm a poorman's son from across the railroad tracks
The artist is disclosing that they come from a modest background.
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back
The singer highlights their lack of material possessions by stating that they only own one shirt.
But I'm the envy of every single guy
Regardless of their lack of material possessions, the singer believes that they are admired by everyone.
Since I'm the apple of my girl's eye
The artist is the object of affection of their significant other, which makes them feel important.
When we go out stepping on the town
The artist is talking about going out and enjoying life with their partner.
For a while my money's low and my suit's out of style
The artist sometimes has little money and their clothes are not trendy.
But it's all right if my clothes aren't new
The singer is expressing their view that new clothes are not necessary for them to be happy.
Out of sight because my heart is true
The artist is stating that even though they may not have much, their love is genuine and intense.
She says baby everything is all right
The singer's partner repeats the sentiment that everything is okay.
Uptight, out of sight
Even though there might be some obstacles and issues, everything is ultimately fine.
Baby, everything is all right
The singer's partner reinforces that everything is going to be okay.
Uptight, clean out of sight
Despite difficulties, everything is on track and it will be alright.
I'm a pearl of a girl
The artist's partner talks about herself, describing herself as a valuable and desirable person.
I guess that's what you might say
The singer's partner is expressing uncertainty about whether her self-description is accurate.
I guess her folks brought her up that way
The singer's partner attributes her valuable qualities to how she was brought up. She was raised that way by her family.
The right side of the tracks
The artist's partner comes from a wealthy family.
She was born and raised
The artist's partner is talking about her upbringing.
In a great big old house full of butlers and maids
The artist's partner is describing her family's luxurious lifestyle and environment.
She says give her the things
The singer's partner is expressing her desire for material things.
That money can buy but I'll never
The artist's partner retracts her previous statement about wanting worldly possessions.
Never never make my baby cry
The singer's partner promises never to hurt the singer.
And it's all right
The singer is expressing their positive outlook on life.
What if I can't do
The singer is expressing that they are not perfect and that they have flaws.
Out of sight because my heart is true
The artist believes that even though they may not be perfect, their love is still true and intense.
She says baby everything is all right
The artist's partner reassures them that everything is okay.
Uptight, clean out of sight
Even though there might be some obstacles and issues, ultimately everything is fine.
Baby, everything is all right
The singer's partner repeats that everything is going to be okay.
Uptight, clean out of sight
Even though there might be some obstacles and issues, everything is on track and it will be alright.
No one is better than I
The artist is expressing their sense of self-worth and confidence.
I know I'm just an average guy
Despite their sense of self-worth, the artist knows they are just like most people.
No footfall hero or smooth Don Juan
The singer is implying they are not any kind of superman or smooth womanizer.
Got empty pockets
The artist is saying that they are currently broke.
You see I'm a poor man's son
The singer is disclosing that they come from a modest background.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HENRY COSBY, SYLVIA MOY, STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Felton
LOVE that INDIA sounding string opening!
kersanthemum53
Very George Harrison/Beatles
SkipperbySkip
First time hearing the complete mix. Before, I'd only heard the left channel.
Paul Tindale
(Me