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.
Date with the Rain
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rain, rain, rain
Oh rain
I've got a date with the rain
Gotta go walking in the rain
The clouds that gather in the skies
Gather in my eyes every time it rains
On just such a day you let me go
And as the raindrops began to flow
I'll go walking in the rain no no
Hiding my tears in the rain
I grabbed my coat and leather shoes
Walked out the door with a bag full of blues
No one notices it all but when my teardrops fall
Walking in the rain
Every time the rain comes along
The absence of you become so strong
And I just go walking in the rain
Hiding my tears in the rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
On just such a day you let me go
And as the raindrops began to flow
And I go walking in the rain
Hiding my tears in the rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
Rain, rain, rain
The Temptations’ “Date With the Rain” is a song that makes use of rain as an extended metaphor for heartbreak and loneliness. The singer of the song uses the rain as a way to distract himself from the pain of losing the one he loves. He says he has a “date with the rain,” meaning that he is deliberately choosing to immerse himself in the sadness he feels. The rain becomes a refuge for the singer, a place where he can hide his tears as he walks and wanders aimlessly through the downpour.
The song’s chorus repeats the word “rain,” emphasizing the central metaphor and reinforcing the sense of overwhelming sadness. The singer remembers the day his lover left him, and how the rain began to fall at the same time. The rain and his tears are twin symbols of his grief and sense of loss. He says that “no one notices it all,” referring to his tears, which are hidden by the rain. This line captures the sense of alienation that often accompanies heartbreak, as the singer feels alone in his grief.
Ultimately, the song suggests that the rain itself is a kind of comfort, a reminder that grief is a natural part of life. By embracing the rain and letting it wash over him, the singer is seeking a way to heal his broken heart. The beauty of the song lies in its ability to use the simple image of rain to convey complex emotions of love, loss, and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
Rain, rain, rain
The singer is repeating the word 'rain' several times to emphasize its presence
Oh rain
The singer expresses a sigh for the rain
I've got a date with the rain
The singer has plans to go out in the rain alone
Gotta go walking in the rain
The singer intends to go for a walk in the rain
The clouds that gather in the skies
The singer observes the clouds in the sky
Gather in my eyes every time it rains
The singer's tears well up at the sight of the clouds and rain
On just such a day you let me go
The singer remembers that they were abandoned on a rainy day
And as the raindrops began to flow
The singer recalls the moment they were left, as the rain started to fall
I'll go walking in the rain no no
The singer doesn't want a repeat of that day, but will still go out in the rain anyway
Hiding my tears in the rain
The singer will cry or is crying, but it will be hidden by the rain
I grabbed my coat and leather shoes
The singer is preparing for their walk in the rain
Walked out the door with a bag full of blues
The singer is carrying emotional baggage
No one notices it all but when my teardrops fall
The singer feels unnoticed and alone, but their tears will still fall in the rain
Every time the rain comes along
The singer experiences a trigger for their sadness when it rains
The absence of you become so strong
The singer feels the absence of someone strongly during the rain
And I just go walking in the rain
The singer walks in the rain to deal with their pain
Rain, rain, rain
The singer repeats the word 'rain' again to emphasize its presence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Williams
The lyrics to this song were written by a talented young Motown lyricist named Rodger Penzabene. He also wrote lyrics for Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye, as well as the Temptations. While working on this album, Rodger found out his wife was cheating on him with another man. Rodger was in a bad place. he couldn't stand the pain, but he couldn't stop loving his wife either. He literally poured his heart, soul, and pain into this song. It was released on December 21, 1967 and went on to become one of The Temptations greatest hits but Rodger never saw that. At 23, Rodger Penzabene took his own life on New Years Eve, 1967. He never got to see that so many people could relate to his pain and heart ache. Rest easy, Rodger, some of us remember you.
Mason Malone
Was that the guy who had his family murdered in New York?
Bran Kearns
Thank you
timothy dwelly
Holy shit!! Hey back innthe day they played the temptations movie on vh1 lol prbly one of my alltime fav movies. The acting in that movie was the most top notch acting u will ever see inna film
Miyagi FatGhost
Damn as a writer myself that is scary as hell. To find the motivation (be good or bad) to write a legit classic but never see it grow to its maturity. R.I.P and like young dro said...F dat bih!! 1time for'em
Earl of the Aries.
Thank you.
The Great Bamboozler
Pay attention little ones, this is what we call.... TALENT.
billy Hensley
That's exactly right
Mike Miller
Great talent
Javier Jr Flores
@Jeffrey Bussmann get the f#% out of here with your cliché "ok boomer" shit moron. Boomers had WAAAAAY better music and artists that ACTUALLY had talent! Shove your "boomer" up your ass hole.