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.
Christmas
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a window frame,
Just inside my door
But my Christmas tree
Doesn't look the same
As it always has before
There's just one lonely present
'Cause the best little present
A girl could had
Has gone away from me
Oh, my Christmas tree is not very big;
In fact, it's kind of small
But it was funny when she picked 'em out;
They always seem so tall
The lights don't seem so bright this year;
It's hard for me to see
The smile that made my Christmas bright
Has gone away from me
I have been so lonely
Since you left me all alone
All I want for Christmas
I my baby, my back back at home
Oh, my Christmas tree's so sad and bare
My room's so big and cold
Oh they wish me happy New Year,
But the New Year's is already on
There's no little angel
On top where she used to be,
'Cause the angel
That made my Christmas right
Has gone away from me
'Cause the angel
That made my Christmas right
Has gone away from me
'Cause the angel
That made my Christmas right
Has gone away from me
In The Temptations' song "My Christmas Tree," the lyrics describe the feelings of loneliness and heartbreak that comes with spending the holiday season without a loved one. The singer describes their Christmas tree as being different and less festive than it has been in the past, as they're missing the one person who used to liven up their holiday season. There's only one present beneath the tree, and it's clear that the person receiving it would trade it all just to have their loved one back with them.
The lyrics are particularly poignant, as they display the contrast between the joy that the holiday season is supposed to bring and the crushing sense of loss that comes when someone is missing from it. The song is a tribute to those who are feeling the sting of heartbreak during the holiday season, and it serves as a reminder that even when the world is supposed to be happy and bright, it's possible to feel a deep sense of sadness and longing.
In all, the lyrics of "My Christmas Tree" are an incredibly moving testament to the power of love and loss during the holidays. They offer a glimpse into the darker side of the season and serve as a reminder that not everyone is feeling the joy and cheer that's typically associated with this time of year.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a Christmas tree,
The singer has a Christmas tree.
In a window frame,
The Christmas tree is placed in the singer's window frame.
Just inside my door
The Christmas tree is placed just inside the singer's door.
But my Christmas tree
Despite having a Christmas tree, the artist is feeling sad.
Doesn't look the same
The artist feels that the Christmas tree doesn't look the same as it used to.
As it always has before
The singer is used to having a certain kind of Christmas tree.
There's just one lonely present
There's only one present under the singer's Christmas tree.
Beneath my Christmas tree,
The present is under the artist's Christmas tree.
'Cause the best little present
The artist had something very important but it's no longer there.
A girl could had
The artist had a girl but she's not around anymore.
Has gone away from me
The girl the singer cared about has left.
Oh, my Christmas tree is not very big;
The artist's Christmas tree is small.
In fact, it's kind of small
The singer's Christmas tree is really small.
But it was funny when she picked 'em out;
The girl the singer cared about used to be involved in picking out the Christmas tree.
They always seem so tall
The trees the girl picked always seemed really tall.
The lights don't seem so bright this year;
The Christmas lights don't look as bright as they usually do.
It's hard for me to see
The artist is having a difficult time seeing in general.
The smile that made my Christmas bright
The girl the singer cared about was someone who brought happiness to the singer's life.
Has gone away from me
The girl the singer cared about is no longer around.
I have been so lonely
The artist is feeling very lonely.
Since you left me all alone
The girl the artist cared about left the artist and he's been alone ever since.
All I want for Christmas
The artist's only wish for Christmas is to have the girl he cared about back in his life.
I my baby, my back back at home
The girl the singer cared about is referred to as his 'baby' and he wants her back in his life.
Oh, my Christmas tree's so sad and bare
The artist's Christmas tree looks sad and empty without the girl he cared about.
My room's so big and cold
The singer's room feels empty and cold without the girl he cared about.
Oh they wish me happy New Year,
People are wishing the singer a happy New Year.
But the New Year's is already on
The New Year has already started but the singer is still sad and missing the girl he cared about.
There's no little angel
The artist's Christmas tree has an angel on top.
On top where she used to be,
The angel used to be on top of the Christmas tree where the girl the artist cared about used to be.
'Cause the angel
The angel on the singer's Christmas tree represents the girl the singer cared about.
That made my Christmas right
The girl the singer cared about brought happiness to the singer's life during Christmas.
Has gone away from me
The girl the artist cared about is no longer around.
'Cause the angel
The angel on the artist's Christmas tree represents the girl the artist cared about.
That made my Christmas right
The girl the artist cared about brought happiness to the artist's life during Christmas.
Has gone away from me
The girl the singer cared about is no longer around.
'Cause the angel
The angel on the artist's Christmas tree represents the girl the artist cared about.
That made my Christmas right
The girl the singer cared about brought happiness to the singer's life during Christmas.
Has gone away from me
The girl the singer cared about is no longer around.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMY L WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind