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 Tear From a Woman's Eyes
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When an old man pass my way
Walking the streets, so all alone
All because he had no home
Is a tear from a woman's eye
A tear from a woman's eye
I saw a man, no shoes on his feet
But the saddest thing is to see a woman weep
A woman is a tender thing
To see her cry, a sad, sad thing
Nothing touches me deeper inside
Than a tear from a woman's eye
A tear from a woman's eye
A woman's tears dropping on her cheek
Is like a sound of thunder that loudly it rings
Because when I see her cry
I know she hurts inside
Yes, the saddest thing I've ever seen
Is a tear from a woman's eye
A tear from a woman's eye
Sad, sad thing is a tear from a woman's eye
A sad, sad thing is to see a woman cry
Sad, sad, sad thing is a tear from a woman's eye
Sad, sad, sad thing is to see a woman cry
The Temptations’ “A Tear From a Woman’s Eyes” is a poignant song about the pain of loneliness and the deep impact of a woman’s tears. The first and second verses describe two instances of seeing people who are in a sad state— an old man who is homeless and a man who has no shoes on his feet. Although these encounters are certainly somber, the song posits that the sight of a woman crying is the most heartbreaking thing that one can witness. The lyrics suggest that when a woman cries, it is a signal that she is truly hurting inside.
The bridge of the song particularly drives this point home. The comparison of a woman’s tears to the sound of thunder is evocative, suggesting that the emotion behind a woman’s tears is powerful and resonant. The song repeatedly affirms that a woman’s tears are a sad thing to see, emphasizing the depth of emotion captured in the lyrics.
As a whole, The Temptations’ “A Tear From a Woman’s Eyes” is a moving exploration of the human experience. It acknowledges that people suffer in various ways and that different things can make the heart heavy, but that the sight of a woman crying speaks to something fundamental about human pain.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw the saddest thing other day
I witnessed something deeply saddening recently
When an old man pass my way
An old man crossed my path
Walking the streets, so all alone
He was wandering alone on the streets
All because he had no home
His homelessness was the reason for his loneliness
But the saddest thing I've ever seen
However, the most heartbreaking thing I've ever witnessed is
Is a tear from a woman's eye
The sight of a woman shedding tears
A tear from a woman's eye
A woman's tearful expression
I saw a man, no shoes on his feet
I observed a shoeless man
But the saddest thing is to see a woman weep
But nothing is sadder than witnessing a woman cry
A woman is a tender thing
A woman is someone who's gentle and delicate
To see her cry, a sad, sad thing
It's truly upsetting to watch her cry
Nothing touches me deeper inside
There's nothing that strikes me deeper than
Than a tear from a woman's eye
The tears streaming down a woman's face
A tear from a woman's eye
A woman's tearful expression
A woman's tears dropping on her cheek
When a woman's tears fall down her face
Is like a sound of thunder that loudly it rings
It's as if a deafening thunderstorm is taking place
Because when I see her cry
Because when I witness her tears
I know she hurts inside
I know that she's in pain
Yes, the saddest thing I've ever seen
Thus, the most heartbreaking thing I've ever witnessed is
Sad, sad thing is a tear from a woman's eye
Seeing a woman cry is a profoundly sad occurrence
A sad, sad thing is to see a woman cry
Observing a woman in tears is truly disheartening
Sad, sad, sad thing is a tear from a woman's eye
A woman shedding tears is an extremely sad event
Sad, sad, sad thing is to see a woman cry
It's just incredibly sad to witness a woman in tears
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hollidayevery
This could have been a great single from the Temptations and got them going even sooner...also, the Temptations may not have worked with HDH often, but they DID record several songs that Eddie Holland co-wrote with Norman Whitfield...many people forget that successful partnership provided "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", "Beauty's Only Skin Deep", and "I'm Losing You"..3 really BIG HITS!!
Norma J.
Thanks for the reminder :)
Robert Velez
On January 6, 1964, A Tear from a Woman Eyes was recorded with Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin along with new member David Ruffin! Three days later, The Temptations recorded their classic "The Way You Do The Things You Do" and the rest is history!
Norma J.
Thanks so much for sharing, really beautiful, love it!!
rollerchickable
I LOVE THIS SONG IT BRINGS BACK SO MANY MEMORIES, THANK YOU FOR SHARING.SING IT EDDIE KENDRICK, I LOVE ALL OF TEMPTATIONS. THIS IS A TRUE SONG.
simon4186
This is the only Temptations- H-D-H production, besides "Just One Last Look" that I am aware of. I LOVE MOTOWN!
Tunes342
"I'm Ready For Love" off the Mellow Mood album
Sue Kelly
Love this song 🙂
v8foad
Been looking for this for four years. First heard it on an oldies station in the 80's. Thanks!!!!!!!
robbk1
At least tied for my favourite Temptations' cut. Amazing that Holland-Dozier-Holland would reach the same upper level that Smokey reached with them, when they hardly worked with the group.