1. The Temptations … Read Full Bio ↴The Temptations may refer to at least two groups
1. The Temptations are an American Motown singing group whose repertoire has included doo-wop, soul, psychedelia, funk, disco, rnb, and adult contemporary. Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as The Elgins. The group, known for its finely tuned choreography, distinct harmonies, and stylish suits, has been said to be as influential to soul as The Beatles are to rock. Having sold an estimated 22 million albums by 1982, The Temptations are one of the most successful groups in black music history and were the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s. In addition, they have the second-longest tenure on Motown (behind Stevie Wonder), as they were with the label for a total of 40 years: 16 years from 1961 to 1977, and 24 more from 1980 to 2004 (from 1977 to 1980, they were signed to Atlantic Records). As of 2005, The Temptations continue to perform for Universal Records with only one original member, founder Otis Williams, in its lineup.
Like its sister group The Supremes, The Temptations' lineup has changed frequently over the years. The original group included members of two local Detroit vocal groups: second tenor/baritone Otis Williams, first tenor Elbridge Bryant and bass Melvin Franklin from The Distants; and first tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks and second tenor/baritone Paul Williams (no relation to Otis) from The Primes. Among the most notable future Temptations were lead singers David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards (both of whom became successful Motown solo artists after leaving the group, as did Kendricks), Richard Street (another former Distant), Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, and G.C. Cameron.
Over the course of their career, The Temptations have released four number-one pop hit singles and 14 number-one R&B hit singles, and their material has earned them three Grammy Awards. Most of the early Temptations hits, including "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "My Girl", and "Get Ready" were written and produced by Smokey Robinson and other members of The Miracles, while composer/producer Norman Whitfield and lyricists Eddie Holland and Barrett Strong crafted most of the group's later hits, including "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", "I Wish It Would Rain", "Cloud Nine", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone".
2. There was also a 50s doo-wop group from New York named the Temptations. They are best remembered for their 1960 top 40 hit "Barbara. After this hit, lead singer Neil Stevens went solo.
A Taste Of Honey
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll take with me the warmth of thee
A taste of honey
A taste much sweeter than wine
I will return
I'll return
I'll come back for the honey and you
And may it ever remind you of
A taste of honey
A taste much sweeter than wine
I will return
I'll return
I'll come back for the honey and you
He never came back to his love so fair
And so she died dreaming of his kiss
His kiss of honey
A taste more bitter than wine
I will return
I will return
I'll come back for the honey and you
I'll come back for the honey and you!
The Temptations' song A Taste of Honey is a ballad about a man who must leave his lover behind to travel over the icy sea but promises to return for her and a taste of honey. The first verse sets up the scenario, with the man acknowledging the harsh conditions he will face but deciding to take with him the warmth and sweetness of his lover. The chorus repeats the phrase "a taste of honey," emphasizing the importance of this sweetness in the man's life.
The second verse reveals that the man is leaving behind his heart and hopes that his lover will remember him and the taste of honey he brought into her life. The repetition of the line "I will return" underscores the promise he is making to her. However, the last verse implies that the man never came back to his love and she died dreaming of his kiss, bitter with the taste of honey. This tragic ending is a twist on the promise of the previous verses and shows that even sweetness can turn sour.
Overall, the song is a melancholy reflection on the power of love and the pain that comes with separation. It also suggests that even the sweetest aspects of a relationship can turn bitter if they are not sustained over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Winds may blow over the icy sea
Despite the harsh, unpredictable conditions of the sea, I will face them to bring the memory of your warmth with me
I'll take with me the warmth of thee
I'll carry the love and comfort you've provided with me wherever I go
A taste of honey
The sweet essence of our relationship, a feeling that I hold dear
A taste much sweeter than wine
The depth of our love and connection is far greater than any physical indulgence
I will return
My love for you is so strong that I can promise to come back to you
I'll return
I am committed to our relationship and will find my way back to you
I'll come back for the honey and you
I am not only returning for the sweet memories we shared, but for you as well
I'll leave behind my heart to wear
I am leaving a part of myself with you, a symbol of my love and trust in you
And may it ever remind you of
I hope that my love will never fade from your memory
His kiss of honey
The memory of the sweetness of his kiss
A taste more bitter than wine
The bitter disappointment and heartache of his absence
I'll come back for the honey and you!
I am committed to restoring the joy and love we once shared
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Terrance Evans
There are no words to adequately describe the perfection we hear here....
Linda Hines
Love the way MR Eddie Kendricks did this song and
Dave putting his 2 cents in!
PERFECTION! Love these guys!
Aslan
These gentlemen could sing the phone book and make a legendary record out of it. Cheers!
Gene Ayala
Arsalan Nasir ...Way Too Cool
Augustus Caesar
I bought this album years ago & it took me at least two years before I ever listened to this song or "hello young lovers" & it turned out that I really did like & appreciate these songs. The whole in a mellow mood album was superb from "Hello young lovers" to "the impossible dream."
Winter Assassin
James Jamerson gets loads of kudos for his electric bass playing but tracks like this one and Stevie Wonders "Doo Dah Day" shows his brilliance as an acoustic bassist as well.
vanessa williams
my childhood.. i feel in love with this cut
Shirley Zimmerman
My brother brought this album home. I thought, this ain't The Temptations. But then I listened... wow!
Thomas Jimenez
This album with the arrangement of Oscar Peterson of Big Big Band Jazz which put the Fab 5 in a category that no other male group of white or black could touch. The Manager of the Temptation saw this early on as an opportunity too cross The Temps over to the White Listeners . Which respected the as pure perfection in a category of no other. At one time it is said that the Tall the Tan the Talented Temptation and Terrific Temptation where as Big or even bigger then the Beetles. The greatest vocalist group of the twentieth century hands down. God hand pick this Five Himself.
Majik Moments
Totally awesome