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.
All I Need )
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I think about how I've hurt you so
After you been, been so good to me
I've been unfaithful, darling
I've caused you misery
A feeling of guilt, oh it tortures me
And only you my darling, oh can set me free
Forgive me baby
All, all I need is to have you touch my hand
Say you understand, baby
A moment of weakness darling, caused me to stray
Your trust in me, dear I threw away
When I look, look into your eyes
I can see the hurt baby that you feel inside
Although I've hurt you, baby you never once complain
It makes me feel sweet darling, that much more ashamed
Tears of guilt, tears of guilt running down my face
Tears that only you, baby, only you can erase
And darling, all, all I need is just to hear you say you forgive me
Forgive me baby
All, all I need is to have you touch my hand
Say you understand, ooh
I know I made a big mistake
When all your love darling, yes, I did forsake
It's on my mind, it's in my heart
This guilty feeling tearing me apart
With ev'ry step I make, with ev'ry breath I take
I'll make it up to you, I'll make it up to you
Undo the wrong I've done, undo the wrong I've done
I've been unfaithful I know it's true, but I'll make it up to you baby
All, all I need is just to hear you say you forgive me, forgive me baby
All, all I need is to have you touch my hand,
Say you understand, baby
All, all I need is just to hear you say you forgive me, forgive me baby
The Temptations' "All I Need" is a soulful ballad about love, guilt, and forgiveness. In the song, the singer expresses his remorse for being unfaithful to his lover, causing her pain and misery. He begs for her forgiveness and confesses that he feels tortured by the guilt of his actions. The singer acknowledges the hurt that he has caused his lover and her stoic response to it, which only adds to his guilt. The only way he believes he can be free of his guilt is if she forgives him.
The song has a raw emotional intensity as the singer's guilt and desperation to be forgiven is palpable. The chorus, "All, all I need is just to hear you say you forgive me, forgive me baby / All, all I need is to have you touch my hand, say you understand, baby," is a plea for mercy and compassion. The singer wants to make amends for his mistakes and undo the wrongs he has done to his lover, but he can't do it on his own. He needs her forgiveness and understanding to move forward.
Overall, "All I Need" is a powerful song about love, remorse, and forgiveness. It speaks to the universal human experience of making mistakes and wanting to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, this heart of mine carries a heavy load
The singer's heart is burdened by a feeling of guilt.
When I think about how I've hurt you so
The singer regrets the pain they have caused their partner.
After you been, been so good to me
The singer acknowledges their partner's kindness and loyalty.
I've been unfaithful, darling
The singer admits to having been unfaithful to their partner.
I've caused you misery
The singer recognizes that their actions have hurt their partner.
A feeling of guilt, oh it tortures me
The singer is tormented by a sense of guilt.
And only you my darling, oh can set me free
The singer believes that their forgiveness is the only path to redemption.
And darling all, all I need is just to hear you say you forgive me
The singer desires their partner's forgiveness more than anything else.
Forgive me baby
The singer pleads with their partner to forgive them.
All, all I need is to have you touch my hand
The singer desires physical and emotional connection with their partner.
Say you understand, baby
The singer wants their partner to grasp the extent of their remorse.
A moment of weakness darling, caused me to stray
The singer explains the reasons behind their infidelity.
Your trust in me, dear I threw away
The singer acknowledges that they have damaged their partner's trust.
When I look, look into your eyes
The singer sees the pain in their partner's eyes and is remorseful.
I can see the hurt baby that you feel inside
The singer understands that their partner is suffering emotionally.
Although I've hurt you, baby you never once complain
The singer praises their partner's patience and understanding.
It makes me feel sweet darling, that much more ashamed
The singer is embarrassed by their partner's unwavering love and generosity.
Tears of guilt, tears of guilt running down my face
The singer is moved to tears by their feelings of remorse.
Tears that only you, baby, only you can erase
The singer believes that their partner's forgiveness can heal their emotional wounds.
I know I made a big mistake
The singer takes full responsibility for their actions.
When all your love darling, yes, I did forsake
The singer acknowledges that they betrayed their partner's love.
It's on my mind, it's in my heart
The singer is consumed by their feelings of guilt and regret.
This guilty feeling tearing me apart
The singer's guilt is causing them emotional pain.
With ev'ry step I make, with ev'ry breath I take
The singer is committed to making amends and proving their love.
I'll make it up to you, I'll make it up to you
The singer promises to do everything in their power to earn back their partner's trust.
Undo the wrong I've done, undo the wrong I've done
The singer wishes they could turn back time and undo their mistakes.
Lyrics Š Songtrust Ave, Cloud9
Written by: DEAN TAYLOR, EDDIE HOLLAND, FRANK WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RABBAH
Forgive this fool, my darlin'
Verse I
Oh, this heart of mine (Woo hoo)
Carries a heavy load (Woo hoo)
When I think about (Woo hoo)
How I've hurt you so (I'm so ashamed)
Verse 2
After you've been (Woo hoo)
Been so good to me (Woo hoo)
I've been unfaithful, darlin' (Woo hoo)
I've caused you misery (I'm so ashamed)
Verse 3
A feeling of guilt (Woo hoo)
Oh, it tortures me (Woo hoo)
And only you, my darlin' (Woo hoo)
Oh yeah, can set me free and you see (I'm so ashamed)
CHORUS
And darlin', all
All I need
Is just to hear you say
You'll forgive me (Forgive me, baby)
All, all I need
To have you touch my hand
Say you'll understand
Bridge
A moment of weakness, darlin' (Forgive this fool)
Caused me to stray (My darlin')
Your trust in me, dear (Forgive this fool)
I threw away (My darlin')
Verse 4
When I look (Woo hoo)
Look into your eyes (Woo hoo)
I can see the hurt, baby (Woo hoo)
That you feel inside (I'm so ashamed)
Verse 5
Although I hurt you, baby (Woo hoo)
You never once complained (Woo hoo)
It makes me feel, sweet darlin' (Woo hoo)
That much more ashamed (I'm so ashamed)
Verse 6
Tears of guilt, tears of guilt (Woo hoo)
Runnin' down my face (Woo hoo)
Tears that only you, baby (Woo hoo)
Only you can erase (And I'm so ashamed)
CHORUS
And darlin', all
All I need
Is just to hear you say that
You'll forgive me (Forgive me, baby)
All, all I need
To have you touch my hand
Say you'll understand
Forgive this fool, my darlin'
Verse 7
I know---(Woo hoo)
I made a big mistake (Woo hoo)
When all your love, darlin' (Woo hoo)
Yes, I did forsake (I'm so ashamed)
Verse 8
It's on my mind (Woo hoo)
It's in my heart (Woo hoo)
This guilty feeling (Woo hoo)
Tearin' me apart (I'm so ashamed)
Verse 9
With every step I make (Woo hoo)
Every breath I take (Woo hoo)
I'll make it up to you (Woo hoo)
I'll make it up to you (I'm so ashamed)
Verse 10
Undo the wrong I've done (Woo hoo)
Undo the wrong I've done (Woo hoo)
I've been unfaithful I know it's true (Woo hoo)
But I'll make it up to you, baby (I'm so ashamed)
CHORUS
Baby all---
All I need
Is just to hear you say
You'll forgive me (Forgive me, baby)
All, all I need
To have you touch my hand
Say you'll understand
Produced by Frank Wilson
Darryl Evans
The late and great David Ruffin the lead of the Temptation's kills on this one. He had an unbelievable voice. Rest in peace brotha.
wokkie1999
All the Temptations had a remarkable voice. What a group. Ruffin sang his heart out on this one. Rest Easy David
Cecilie Noble
@Google Justice That's just it! They are Airheads! đsmg
Google Justice
Who were the airheads that dislikes David Ruffin?
Susan Hackley
As a former performer ( not in the same breath as David) you always give your best on every note & boy didn't he do that. Nuff said
Gany Meade
Love the lovely classical music flourishes in this song. Still gives me chills 50+ years later.
Tim Roxborogh
Such an underrated Temptations song - this is one of my absolute favourites. It has that classic Motown beat, but with such sad lyrics. Great Ruffin lead vocal.
Wendell Williams
When I look into your eyes .......đâ¤ď¸
Joann Desanto
Definitely
chakafan2
The combination of David and Eddie's voices was pure magic.