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.
Depend On Me
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You...
Need a love like mine
That you can depend on
When your whole world's falling in.
When you need a friend,
You can depend on me,
You can depend on me.
I'll be by your side
When you need me
When the whole world seems unfair
When no one seems to care,
You can depend on me,
You can depend on me.
When life seems not worth living
And nothing seems to be going right,
The comfort my love will be giving... giving
Will change your darkness to light.
I, I, I, I
I'll be by your side
When you need me
When the whole seems unfair
When no one seems to care,
You can depend depend on
Yeah, yeah,
You can depend on me.
The Temptations' song "Depend On Me" is a classic love ballad that speaks to the loyalty and commitment of a loving partner. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to be there for their partner no matter what the circumstance may be. The opening lines of the song, "You need a love like mine, that you can depend on, when your whole world's falling in," speaks to the importance of trust and reliability in any relationship. The singer is aware that life can be unpredictable and overwhelming at times, but assures their partner that they will always be there to provide comfort and support.
As the song continues, the lyrics assure the listener that they can depend on the singer to be there through thick and thin. The line "when no one seems to care, you can depend on me" illustrates the importance of having someone to rely on during difficult moments. The singer acknowledges that life can be challenging, and when everything seems to be falling apart, they will be a reliable source of comfort and support. The lyrics culminate in a declaration of love and commitment, with the singer promising to be there for their partner through all of life's ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
Hmmmmmm...
Introductory Hum
You...
Referring to the person being addressed
Need a love like mine
Require someone who loves you deeply and passionately
That you can depend on
Someone whose love is reliable and trustworthy
When your whole world's falling in.
During your worst moments when you feel everything is falling apart.
When you need a friend,
When you require someone to talk to, someone who can offer emotional support.
You can depend on me,
Assurance that you can count on the singer to be there for you.
You can depend on me.
Repeated Assurance.
I'll be by your side
I'll stay with you
When you need me
During your troubled times
When the whole world seems unfair
During times when the world seems against you
When no one seems to care,
When it seems like no one is interested in what you're going through
You can depend on me,
Reiterating the availability of the singer
You can depend on me.
Restating reassurance.
When life seems not worth living
During times when life seems hopeless.
And nothing seems to be going right,
During difficult times, when nothing seems to work out.
The comfort my love will be giving... giving
The love being offered acts as a source of comfort.
Will change your darkness to light.
Will act as a source of hope and brightness in dark situations.
I, I, I, I
Emphasizes the singer's love for the listener
I'll be by your side
Reaffirming the singer's presence
When you need me
Reminding the listener of the offer to be there in times of need.
When the whole seems unfair
Reiterating the need for support during tough times.
When no one seems to care,
Reiterating the need for emotional support in times of apparent loneliness.
You can depend depend on
Restating the availability of support
Yeah, yeah,
Expressing agreement
You can depend on me.
Final reassurance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maxine Boatwright
Eddie made this his song. What can you say about the greatest tenor of all times. Wow!!!!!!!💕
Norma J.
In my humble opinion, no one( and I mean, not Smokey, not Ron Tyson, not Johnnie Carter of The Mighty Dells, (and I love all of them)but no one can sing falsetto like Eddie Kendricks, especially on these older recordings. before he was diagnosed with cancer, his voice is just perfection, the clearest pitch you'll ever hear anywhere. Thanks for sharing this beautiful gem.
Gary Mayfield
@WSRF RADIO PLANET you need to go to school,he sang both tenor and falsetto:Just my imagination is in tenor: You're my everything is falsetto
Gary Mayfield
You don't need to explain at that point of his career no tenor on this planet could fuck whit him
renaissanceman165
@WSRF RADIO PLANET Yes, Eddie was a tenor, but he also employed his falsetto heavily. He had a great head voice, falsetto mix in his mid range, but he did use his falsetto the majority of the time. Otis Williams said in his book, "Temptations", that if a song was written too high in Eddie's falsetto range then his voice would sound squeaky. Anyone familiar with Eddie's natural range would recognize that Eddie had a bit of a rasp in his voice, particularly in the upper notes. Listen to "This Used To Be The Home Of Johnny Mae", and "If You Let Me". Eddie admitted in an interview years ago that he didn't particularly like the sound of his natural voice, though he didn't always want to sing super high constantly either, which song producers wanted. Although Eddie sang in falsetto, he did not consider himself a falsetto. He just sang whichever notes were needed, whether they required falsetto or not. Many tenors feel this way, or may not even be aware that they have transitioned into falsetto, because they are so used to doing it. Nevertheless, Eddie Kendricks has influenced a generation of falsettists, and imitators. He possesed a beautiful voice. Incidentally, Smokey Robinson is a true countertenor, like El, and Bobby Debarge. The countertenor range lies above the tenor range. Today the countertenor voice relies heavily on falsetto in both Classical, Pop, and R&B music to reach high notes. Historically in classical opera singing a true countertenor was called a male alto, castrated prior to puberty to keep the voice high, naturallly, without falsetto. Today a voice like this is rare, as in the case of Smokey Robinson, and the late Bobby Debarge. They are true countertenors because even the speaking voice is naturally high. Smokey has stated that he doesn't use falsetto as often as people think. Except for a couple "oohs and ahhs" in falsetto, the rest of his vocals are in his natural voice. One can tell by the volume, and vibrato of his voice. Smokey and Eddie did a duet on "The Smokey Robinson Show" TV special, where the performed "Get Ready" with the Temptations. Smokey was able to sing the entire song in his natural range, with poweful projection, whereas Eddie, using falsetto, had to stay very close to the mic to be heard over the music, and Smokey's vocals. This is not to imply that Eddie couldn't project his voice when necessary, using either method. Ronald Isley is another example of someone who uses less falsetto than one might think. To sum it up, Eddie Kendricks had a beautiful, glistening voice in his prime, in a class by itself, but he also relied mostly on falsetto as his sweet bread and butter, and there's nothing wrong with that. I have been a lifelong Temptations fan. They have been my number one group, and have heavily influenced me as a singer, songwriter, and musician. I guess you can tell I can talk music and "Temptations forever!" Check it Out! Ciao!!!
renaissanceman165
Yes, Eddie was a tenor, but he also employed his falsetto heavily. He had a great head voice, falsetto mix in his mid range, but he did use his falsetto the majority of the time. Otis Williams said in his book, "Temptations", that if a song was written too high in Eddie's falsetto range then his voice would sound squeaky. Anyone familiar with Eddie's natural range would recognize that Eddie had a bit of a rasp in his voice, particularly in the upper notes. Listen to "This Used To Be The Home Of Johnny Mae", and "If You Let Me". Eddie admitted in an interview years ago that he didn't particularly like the sound of his natural voice, though he didn't always want to sing super high constantly either, which song producers wanted. Although Eddie sang in falsetto, he did not consider himself a falsetto. He just sang whichever notes were needed, whether they required falsetto or not. Many tenors feel this way, or may not even be aware that they have transitioned into falsetto, because they are so used to doing it. Nevertheless, Eddie Kendricks has influenced a generation of falsettists, and imitators. He possesed a beautiful voice. Incidentally, Smokey Robinson is a true countertenor, like El, and Bobby Debarge. The countertenor range lies above the tenor range. Today the countertenor voice relies heavily on falsetto in both Classical, Pop, and R&B music to reach high notes. Historically in classical opera singing a true countertenor was called a male alto, castrated prior to puberty to keep the voice high, naturallly, without falsetto. Today a voice like this is rare, as in the case of Smokey Robinson, and the late Bobby Debarge. They are true countertenors because even the speaking voice is naturally high. Smokey has stated that he doesn't use falsetto as often as people think. Except for a couple "oohs and ahhs" in falsetto, the rest of his vocals are in his natural voice. One can tell by the volume, and vibrato of his voice. Smokey and Eddie did a duet on "The Smokey Robinson Show" TV special, where the performed "Get Ready" with the Temptations. Smokey was able to sing the entire song in his natural range, with poweful projection, whereas Eddie, using falsetto, had to stay very close to the mic to be heard over the music, and Smokey's vocals. This is not to imply that Eddie couldn't project his voice when necessary, using either method. Ronald Isley is another example of someone who uses less falsetto than one might think. To sum it up, Eddie Kendricks had a beautiful, glistening voice in his prime, in a class by itself, but he also relied mostly on falsetto as his sweet bread and butter, and there's nothing wrong with that. I have been a lifelong Temptations fan. They have been my number one group, and have heavily influenced me as a singer, songwriter, and musician. I guess you can tell I can talk music and "Temptations forever!" Check it Out! Ciao!!!
Norma J.
@WSRF RADIO PLANET Meaning of falsetto : a method of voice production used by male singers, especially tenors, to sing notes higher than their normal range.
Janice Bonilla
They took this version and ran with it. They claimed it and officially they own it. This version is great. Now one of my favorite songs.
Buzz Davis
I'll take it up a notch, they do a sensational job on this cut. One of my personal favs of all-time. Killer slow jam.
OpenArms95
The Temps do a outstanding job on this, I especially like what Melvin, is doing on the bottom