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.
Common Man
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, hoping to rise to the top
I have sworn by my blood as your man, my love
That one day, I promise
One day your hurting would stop
But I'll never never never never change
I never change one single grain of sand
For just loving a common man
I want to thank you this evening
Oh, I thought, I thought that I failed you so
But that's when you turn around and look me in my eyes
And you let me know
You said and you said it softly
I didn't have to worry about being a common man
You said, "David, you don't have to worry about rising to the top"
You said, you said, you said I didn't have to swear by my blood
But ah baby, that one day your heartaches would stop
Then you put your arms around me and you said
You never never never never cared
If I never change one single grain of sand
You said, "I love you, baby
I love you for just being a common man"
For my gratitude just keep on growing
Yeah, for recognizing me, I thank you baby
Yeah, for respecting me, yeah I want to thank you, baby
For every time of need, Lord, I thank you baby
Oh for my gratitude, for respecting me, baby
For just being a common man
Ah I want to thank you babe
In a time of need, I want to thank you for respecting me
In a time of worry, I want to thank you for calming my troubles
Oh, I thank you baby
Thank you honey, for loving a common man like me
The Temptations' song "Common Man" is a powerful and emotional ballad about a man who dreams of rising to success and leaving his humble origins behind. The song opens with the lyrics "I have dreamed a dream, there a common man, hoping to rise to the top." The singer of the song promises to his love that someday her pain will cease and he will have achieved his dream. However, as the lyrics progress, it becomes clear that the singer has resigned himself to a life as a common man and does not aspire to greatness. He thanks his love for accepting him as he is and for loving him despite his humble origins.
The lyrics express a sense of humility and gratitude for the simple pleasures in life that are often taken for granted. The singer acknowledges that his dreams of success may never come to fruition, but he is content to remain a common man if it means having the love and acceptance of those he cares about. The song's message is a powerful reminder that true happiness comes from embracing one's true self, rather than striving for unattainable goals.
Line by Line Meaning
I have dreamed a dream, there a common man
I have imagined a future where I am just an ordinary person.
Ah, hoping to rise to the top
But I still hope to achieve great success.
I have sworn by my blood as your man, my love
I have made a promise to you that I will always be loyal and dedicated.
That one day, I promise
One day your hurting would stop
And I promise that someday, you will no longer feel pain or sadness.
But I'll never never never never change
I never change one single grain of sand
However, I will always remain the same and true to who I am.
Oh, thanks to you baby
For just loving a common man
I want to thank you this evening
I express my gratitude to you for loving me just the way I am.
Oh, I thought, I thought that I failed you so
But that's when you turn around and look me in my eyes
And you let me know
I felt like I disappointed you, but you reassured me with your gaze.
You said and you said it softly
I didn't have to worry about being a common man
You said, "David, you don't have to worry about rising to the top"
You said, you said, you said I didn't have to swear by my blood
But ah baby, that one day your heartaches would stop
You said to me gently that I don't need to be anything more than myself, and that you have faith that my struggles will end.
Then you put your arms around me and you said
You never never never never cared
If I never change one single grain of sand
You said, "I love you, baby
I love you for just being a common man"
And then you embraced me and told me that you love me for who I am, and that you never want me to change.
For my gratitude just keep on growing
Yeah, for recognizing me, I thank you baby
Yeah, for respecting me, yeah I want to thank you, baby
For every time of need, Lord, I thank you baby
Oh for my gratitude, for respecting me, baby
For just being a common man
Ah I want to thank you babe
My gratefulness for you continues to increase, for you have always recognized and respected me, helped me in times of trouble, and loved me as an ordinary person.
In a time of need, I want to thank you for respecting me
In a time of worry, I want to thank you for calming my troubles
Oh, I thank you baby
Thank you honey, for loving a common man like me
I appreciate you for supporting me during difficult times and easing my fears. Thank you for loving me despite being just an average person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nerdlarge4691
"Never, never, never, never change
I'm still f$cking with crime 'cause crime pays
I never change!
Out hustling, same clothes for days
I never change!
I'll never change, I'm too stuck in my ways, I never change
(Who you know like Hov'?)"
@JavierRodriguez-yf9pd
I have dreamed a dream, there a common man
Ah, hoping to rise to the top
I have sworn by my blood as your man, my love
That one day, I promise
One day your hurting would stop
But I'll never never never never change
I never change one single grain of sand
Oh, thanks to you baby
For just loving a common man
I want to thank you this evening
Oh, I thought, I thought that I failed you so
But that's when you turn around and look me in my eyes
And you let me know
You said and you said it softly
I didn't have to worry about being a common man
You said, "David, you don't have to worry about rising to the top"
You said, you said, you said I didn't have to swear by my blood
But ah baby, that one day your heartaches would stop
Then you put your arms around me and you said
You never never never never cared
If I never change one single grain of sand
You said, "I love you, baby
I love you for just being a common man"
For my gratitude just keep on growing
Yeah, for recognizing me, I thank you baby
Yeah, for respecting me, yeah I want to thank you, baby
For every time of need, Lord, I thank you baby
Oh for my gratitude, for respecting me, baby
For just being a common man
Ah I want to thank you babe
In a time of need, I want to thank you for respecting me
In a time of worry, I want to thank you for calming my troubles
Oh, I thank you baby
Thank you honey, for loving a common man like me
@jjtaylor51
I’m 27 and this music is more relevant to me today as anything being played on the radio today I thank god every day for my southern up bringing and the soul music I was raised on🖤🖤‼️
@6thson876
I grew up listening to this beautiful music and as soon as I heard Jay Z, I was like that's David Ruffin right there.... 70's babies, we know what real music is!!!
@tyrekzardies6346
Facts
@jamesa.hamilton269
Go back to fifties and sixties with Ruffin. He was a Voice Master and solo before brother Jimmy advised him and The Tempts he was a better fit for them, than he, himself! PBUH!
@bettyhudson979
Katy Z sound nothing like David Ruffin😮
@archyology
Check out "Never Change" by Jay-Z
@yambrown3552
I'm a 60s baby and I was raised listening to David Ruffin and the temptations
@ElronHumpperdink
This is an absolute soul-stirring tearjerker. Literally one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever performed/written/composed.
@nothin_really_ivo5666
This is a hit in 2022. Rest In Peace mr Ruffin
@bathaveuniversity7901
White,black,if u never listened to David ruffin,u will never truly understand what it means to sing from the soul.this common Italian man from brooklyn thanks u for ur music