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.
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The Temptations Lyrics
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Is it right to be left alone when the one you love is never home
I love too hard my friends sometimes say
But I believe I believe that a woman should be loved that way
But it hurts me so inside to see you treat me so unkind
Somebody somewhere tell her it ain't fair
Can I get a witness (Can I get a witness)
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
Somebody (Can I get a witness)
Is it right to be treated so bad when you give her everything you had
Keep on talking in my sleep 'cause I haven't seen my baby all week
Now you kids you all agree is that the way it's supposed to be
Let me hear you, let me hear you say yeah, yeah, yeah
Up early in the morning with her on my mind
Took to find it out all night I been cryin'
But I believe a woman's a man's best friend
I'm gonna stick by hr till the very end
Well she causes so much misery how's a gal supposed to be
Somebody somewhere tell her it ain't right
Can I get a witness, can I get a witness
(Can I get a witness), I want a witness
(Can I get a witness), witness, witness
(Can I get a witness), witness, witness
(Can I get a witness)
Everybody knows especially you girls
That a love can be sad but my beloved's twice as bad
Now you kids do all agree that ain't the way it's supposed to be
Let me hear you, let me hear you say yeah, yeah, yeah
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
Yeah, I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
Somebody (Can I get a witness)
Is it right to be treated so bad when you give her everything you had
Keep on talking in my sleep 'cause I haven't seen my baby all week
Now you kids you all agree is that the way it's supposed to be
Let me hear you, let me hear you say yeah, yeah, yeah
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
Witness, witness, yeah, I want a witness
The Temptations' "Can I Get A Witness" talks about the singer's troubles in his romantic relationship. He loves his partner very deeply, but he feels neglected because she is never around. He questions if it is right to be left alone when he loves her so much, even if his friends think he loves too hard. He believes that women should be loved in this way and is hurt by the mistreatment he receives. He asks if he can get a witness to prove that this isn't fair.
The chorus repeats his request for a witness, as he wants to be heard and validated. He questions if it is right to be treated so poorly even when he has given her everything. He even talks in his sleep because he hasn't seen her all week. He believes in standing by her side but is met with too much misery to ignore. The song ends with him asking for a witness again while affirming that love should not be this sad.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah ah listen everybody (body), specially you girls (girls)
Listen up everyone, especially you girls
Is it right to be left alone when the one you love is never home
Is it fair to be left alone when the one you love is always absent
I love too hard my friends sometimes say
My friends say I love too intensely
But I believe I believe that a woman should be loved that way
But I believe that a woman deserves to be loved with such intensity
But it hurts me so inside to see you treat me so unkind
But it hurts me deeply to see you treat me unfairly
Somebody somewhere tell her it ain't fair
Someone needs to tell her it's not right
Can I get a witness (Can I get a witness)
Can someone testify to what I'm saying
Is it right to be treated so bad when you give her everything you had
Is it fair to be treated poorly even after giving your all
Keep on talking in my sleep 'cause I haven't seen my baby all week
I keep talking in my sleep because I haven't seen my lover all week
Now you kids you all agree is that the way it's supposed to be
Do you kids all agree that this is how it's meant to be
Up early in the morning with her on my mind
I wake up early in the morning thinking about her
Took to find it out all night I been cryin'
Took me all night to realize I've been crying
But I believe a woman's a man's best friend
But I believe a woman should be a man's closest companion
I'm gonna stick by hr till the very end
I'm going to support her until the very end
Well she causes so much misery how's a gal supposed to be
Well, if she causes so much misery, how is a woman supposed to be
Everybody knows especially you girls
Everybody knows, especially you girls
That a love can be sad but my beloved's twice as bad
Love can be sad, but my lover's sadness is twice as bad
Let me hear you, let me hear you say yeah, yeah, yeah
Let me hear you say yeah, yeah, yeah
I want a witness (Can I get a witness)
I need someone to confirm what I'm saying
Witness, witness, yeah, I want a witness
Testify, testify, yes, I need someone to testify
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaylene.turner6524
Last surviving founding member
Otis Williams
(Second Tenor/Baritone)
Founding member
Melvin Franklin
(Bass)
Founding member
Eddie Kendricks
(First Tenor/Falsetto)
Founding member
Paul Williams
(Baritone)
Dennis Edwards
(Tenor)
(Replaced David Ruffin in 1968)
This song came out in 1969 and it was their second number one pop hit.
@ChipLooper
NOTHING BUT AWESOME!
@kanyegang2810
Dennis voice had soul
@Meezy06
Eddie Kendricks. Mann nobody can sing as good as him. Dennis for leadership, Paul Williams for swag, Melvin for his bass power, Otis for keeping it together.
@adriennerobinson1180
Truth Indeed
@blankblank5524
Perfectly said!Eddie singing ‘Just My Imagination’ is still one of my favourites!
@DJaySplitSecond
Lol and that exactly why the woman were mesmerized by Eddie’s voice
@karencruz320
Temptations fan forever♥️ Good singing… Miss them!
@Leon-zu1wp
You forgot the voice of the group. David Ruffin.
@aaropajari7058
Us Brits worshipped the Temps
@NaimaNaima0608
Melvin Franklin was a whole mood💃🏽