Don't Ask My Neighbors
The Temptations Lyrics


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You're wondering if I care about ya
Is there's some cause that I should doubt you
Oh I can see boy that you don't know me very well
You're so unsure

And you run here and there to ask my feelings
Friends only I guess, they can't really say
[Chorus]
Don't ask my neighbor
Don't ask the friends I hang around
Don't be afraid to come to me
Don't ask my neighbors, come to me
Don't be afraid of what ya see
You'll find I love you, come to me
Don't be afraid

You ask all my friends if I'm the same girl
You don't understand, you think I'm changing

[Chorus]

Don't ask my neighbors, come to me
Don't be afraid of what ya see




You'll find I love you, come to me
Don't be afraid

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' song "Don't Ask My Neighbors" is a plea to a lover who is unsure about their relationship. The singer is being questioned about their feelings, and they are trying to convince the lover not to ask their friends or neighbors, but to come to them directly. The singer explains that they can see the lover doesn't know them very well, and that they are so unsure about their relationship that they are asking others about the singer's feelings. The chorus is a repetition of the plea, with a message that the lover should not be afraid to come to them.


The song's lyrics demonstrate that the singer knows themselves well, but the lover's lack of understanding creates doubts. The emphasis is on the importance of communication to strengthen a relationship. The emotional uncertainty in the lyrics is accentuated by the languid melody of the song. The music is a mix of jazz, R&B, and pop, with a calm pace that underscores the singer's message of reassurance.


" Don't Ask My Neighbors" was released in 1977 by the Temptations and quickly became a hit song, reaching number twelve on the US R&B chart. The song's lyrics were written by Skip Scarborough, who was known for penning hits for a variety of Motown artists. The music was arranged by Paul Riser, who had previously worked with the Temptations on several other songs.


Line by Line Meaning

You're wondering if I care about ya
You're curious about whether or not I have feelings for you


Is there's some cause that I should doubt you
Is there any reason for me to second-guess your intentions


Oh I can see boy that you don't know me very well
I can tell that you don't truly understand who I am as a person


You're so unsure
You're lacking confidence in yourself and in our relationship


And you run here and there to ask my feelings
You constantly seek out my friends to inquire about my emotions


Friends only I guess, they can't really say
My friends may not be able to accurately convey my true feelings towards you


Don't ask my neighbor
You shouldn't rely on gossip or hearsay to determine our relationship


Don't ask the friends I hang around
You shouldn't rely on my friends to speak on my behalf regarding our relationship


Don't be afraid to come to me
Don't let fear prevent you from seeking out direct communication with me


Don't ask my neighbors, come to me
Avoid seeking out rumors or opinions and instead come talk to me directly


Don't be afraid of what ya see
Don't let external factors or perceptions cloud your judgment of me or our relationship


You'll find I love you, come to me
If you come to me directly, you'll find that I do indeed have feelings for you


You ask all my friends if I'm the same girl
You inquire with my friends about whether or not I've changed as a person


You don't understand, you think I'm changing
You lack understanding and believe I may be becoming someone different


Don't ask my neighbors, come to me
Avoid relying on external opinions and instead have direct communication with me


Don't be afraid of what ya see
Don't let external perceptions influence your judgement of me or our relationship


You'll find I love you, come to me
If you come to me directly, you'll find that I do indeed have feelings for you


Don't be afraid
Don't let fear control your actions or prevent you from pursuing our relationship




Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SKIP SCARBOROUGH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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