Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.
As an unofficial record, it is believed that The Four Tops were the band to continue performing the longest without a lineup change. Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton sang together as the Four Tops from 1954 until 1997, when Lawrence Payton died of cancer. That's an astonishing 43 years without a lineup change. The three surviving members continued to tour as "The Tops."
Nature Planned It
The Four Tops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm comin', baby
(Na-na-na-na)
Do you know how long I'm dreamin'
Of a reason it grows?
You may ask me all these questions
But darling, no one knows
Don't ask me why; I just do
Do you ask the Lord who loves you?
Why He makes the sky clear blue
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it
We were meant, we were meant to stay together
It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
Oh don't ask me how long I'll love you
When you're gone, my heart aches; I'll never never leave you
Girl, all my life, for you I'd wait 'cause it's the way
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it
We were meant, we were meant to stay together
It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
Don't fight it, baby
I'm comin' girl
(Na-na-na-na)
It should be clear, I really love you
Don't ask me why I just do
'Cause it's the way (it's the way, it's the way mother nature planned it)
Like the stars & the sky & the beautiful heaven
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it
We were meant, we were meant to stay together)
Oh oh yeah, do you know why it rains?
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
Something no one can explain
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
We were meant, we were meant to stay together
Why does a flower grow?
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
Why does the river flow?
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
We were meant, we were meant, we were meant to stay together
Why does it rain?
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
Why do I feel this way?
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it)
The Four Tops's song Nature Planned It is a soulful ballad that reflects on the universal truth that some things in life are predetermined and can be explained by the way nature planned it. The lyrics speak of a deep love for someone that is timeless and unconditional, like the way the sky is always a clear blue or how the stars shine in the sky. The singer is convinced that they are meant to be together because it is the way mother nature intended it to be.
The song suggests that the singer's love is not something they can explain or control, but rather something that is innate and natural. The line "Don't ask me why I just do" captures the genuine and instinctual nature of their love. They express a willingness to wait forever for the person they love, even if they were to be separated. The line "When you're gone, my heart aches; I'll never never leave you" is a poignant reminder of the strength of their love.
The song's chorus reinforces the theme that some things are destined to be, and we cannot change them. The lyrics "We were meant, we were meant to stay together" highlight the belief that love between two people can be predestined or fateful. The song ends with a series of rhetorical questions about the mysteries of nature, implying that some questions may never be understood or answered.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, don't fight it
My love, please don't resist
I'm comin', baby
I am on my way to you
(Na-na-na-na)
The sound of my excitement
Do you know how long I'm dreamin'
I have dreamed of us being together for a long time
Of a reason it grows?
Wondering why my love for you keeps growing stronger
You may ask me all these questions
You could question me about my love for you
But darling, no one knows
But the truth is, I can't explain it
It should be clear, I really love you
My love for you should be obvious
Don't ask me why; I just do
I have no explanation for why I love you
Do you ask the Lord who loves you?
God's love for us is unconditional, just like mine for you
Why He makes the sky clear blue
Just like God's plan for the sky to be blue, nature planned for us to be together
(It's the way, it's the way Nature planned it
Our love is a part of nature's plan
We were meant, we were meant to stay together
Destined to be together forever
Oh don't ask me how long I'll love you
I don't know how long my love for you will last
When you're gone, my heart aches; I'll never never leave you
The mere thought of losing you pains me, and I will never leave you
Girl, all my life, for you I'd wait 'cause it's the way
I would wait for you my entire life because it's meant to be
Like the stars & the sky & the beautiful heaven
Our love is as eternal as the stars and sky above us
Oh oh yeah, do you know why it rains?
Some natural occurrences cannot be explained
Something no one can explain
Rain, just like my love for you, cannot be explained
Why does a flower grow?
Just like nature's plan for flowers to grow, our love was destined to blossom
Why does the river flow?
The natural flow of the river is like the natural course of our love
Why does it rain?
Just like some natural occurrences, our love is beyond explanation
Why do I feel this way?
I can't explain my love for you, it's just the way nature planned it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK EDWARD WILSON, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eddie Towles
Back in the day when music had a meaning and it was all about love. A Classic that is timeless for those who appreciate the sound of pure gold. By far my favorite of the Four Tops. I can play this song back to back and never get too much of it.
Keenan Hervey
Fact....👌🏿
Gail Brown
Love this song it's the way God planned it
Tina Davies
Even before levi starts to sing I get goosebumps, soooo in love with this man's vocals he just gets me everytime. Heaven must be booming with all the harmonies up there! R.i.p Mr Levi Stubbs.
Minnie Belton
HEAVEN AWAITS THE STARS RETURN... thats where they all are.. OKAY DARLINGS 😇💥7
Chris Haze
Facts
Corey Sheppard
I've always love this song, but as an adult I've learned to appreciate it even more. Fantastic recording
Ash26Ken13
Me too! 🤙😎
Angelo Mota
❤Ffq
acrucker
Another Masterpiece for future generations to enjoy. Thank you Four Tops!