1990
The Temptations Lyrics


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Well, we got trouble in the White House
Poverty in the ghetto
When will it end?
Nobody knows!

People are asking now
"How can you spend another dollar on the space race"
"When families at home are starving right in front of your face."
Where is your heart, America?

Thousand of jobless people walking the streets
With no food or place to sleep
What will become of them, America?

I heard some people saying they had a solution,
"All we got to do is change the constitution!"
What about air pollution, America?

America!
Don't get me wrong, I still love ya,
In spite of all your troubles and woes
In my eyes you're still the greatest of them all!

America!
I ain't ashamed to say that I love ya
There ain't another place on Earth I'd rather be.

We won all the battles there were to win
Pray that the war is at an end
That's what people pray
Listen to them, America!

America!
Don't get me wrong, I still love ya,
In spite of all your troubles and woes,
In my eyes you're still the greatest of them all!

America!




I ain't ashamed to say that I love ya,
There ain't another place on Earth I'd rather be.

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' song "1990" critiques the state of American society in the late 1960s. It highlights the hypocrisy of the government, who are funding the space race but failing to address poverty in the ghettoes. The lyrics "Where is your heart, America?" express the frustration of people who are wondering why their government is prioritizing space exploration over providing basic necessities to citizens who are struggling.


The song also touches on the issue of unemployment, as thousands of jobless people are walking the streets with no food or place to sleep. The line "What will become of them, America?" emphasizes the desperation of people who are struggling to survive in a society that does not seem to care about their well-being. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the lyrics "Pray that the war is at an end / That's what people pray / Listen to them, America!" This suggests that the people are hoping for change, and they are urging their government to listen to their concerns and take action to address them.


Overall, the song "1990" is a powerful critique of American society in the late 1960s. It highlights issues of poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, and urges America to take action to address these problems.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, we got trouble in the White House
The government is facing issues and problems


Poverty in the ghetto
There are impoverished areas with a lack of basic resources and opportunities


When will it end?
There is a feeling of hopelessness and uncertainty about when these issues will be resolved


Nobody knows!
The solution to these problems is unknown and elusive


People are asking now
There is a general sense of questioning and concern among the public


"How can you spend another dollar on the space race"
There is frustration with the prioritization of resources towards space exploration instead of addressing domestic issues


"When families at home are starving right in front of your face."
There is criticism of the government's inability to provide basic necessities for citizens


Where is your heart, America?
There is a call for empathy and consideration for the struggles of fellow Americans


Thousand of jobless people walking the streets
Many people are unemployed and struggling to make ends meet


With no food or place to sleep
There is a lack of basic necessities for survival among the unemployed population


What will become of them, America?
There is concern about the future of those experiencing unemployment and poverty


I heard some people saying they had a solution,
Some individuals believe there is a straightforward solution to these complex problems


"All we got to do is change the constitution!"
There is a belief that changes to governing laws and systems can address societal issues


What about air pollution, America?
There are other pressing issues, such as environmental concerns, that also require attention and action


Don't get me wrong, I still love ya,
Despite critiques and concerns, there is still a love and appreciation for America


In spite of all your troubles and woes
Acknowledgment of the many difficulties and obstacles faced by the country


In my eyes you're still the greatest of them all!
Despite shortcomings, there is a belief in the country's potential and strengths


I ain't ashamed to say that I love ya
There is no shame in expressing love and pride for the country


There ain't another place on Earth I'd rather be.
Despite challenges, there is still a strong affection and attachment to America


We won all the battles there were to win
America has succeeded in many past conflicts and challenges


Pray that the war is at an end
A hope that current conflicts and tensions will be resolved peacefully


That's what people pray
Many individuals have a desire for peace and resolution to conflicts


Listen to them, America!
There is a call for the government and society as a whole to listen and respond to the concerns and hopes of the people




Writer(s): Darrin Kevin Mullins, Paul Patrick Power, Brendan Martin Markham, Brian Francis Kennedy Copyright: Chrysalis Music Ltd.

Contributed by Liam E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

nbattle1999

MY FAVORITE GROUP OF ALL TIME!!  AND THIS SONG SOOOO DEFINES WHATS GOING ON TODAY... 2017..AMERICA

Tenth jones

Here to in 2020....👹👺🐷👺👱‍♂️👹

Michael Cheatham

This was a good song in terms of what was going on at the time in which this song came out, I think it was done well.

Willie Burns

Rest in peace, Dennis Edwards.

Ronchel

ESPECTACULAR !!!!!

Miss Tish

And to think they made this album 1990 decades before 1990..... so damn ahead of their time. Temps ✊🏾

Charles W. Artis

Will, also in 1973,Stevie Wonder, used a similar if not identical voice when a Black man is arrested by the police on the song "Living For The City".

Wakili Aliyu

My favourite group in 1973

tyree jackson

Hmmmm it's 2020 and still the same thing continues to persist...no legislation in the world will make people have a heart condition to practice " The Golden Rule "

Mohammed Yassien

It shows maturity and not a matter of “shoving an opinion down throats”. If they only sang about love they wouldn’t have the relevance they do today. How many Teddy Pendagras song’s can you listen to In a row😎

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