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.
Don't Send Me Away
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Don't send me away)
I've hurt you, it's true
Don't close the door
(Don't close the door)
I'll make it up to you
'Cause you know that I (need your) your wonderful love
Don't send me away
(Don't send me away)
I may have been wrong
But please let me stay
(Please let me stay)
Here, where I belong
Darling, you know that I (need your) your wonderful love
(I need) I need your love (your love)
Dear, through all my days of mine I need your love
Dear, through every phase of mine I need your love
Everyday and in every way
Hmm
Don't send me away
(Don't send me away)
For I surely be lost
I'm willing to pay (willing to pay)
My life as the cost
'Cause you know that I (need your love)
Oh, you know I do (I need your love)
Oh, I'll cherish you (I need your love)
Oh, don't be cruel (I need your love)
The Temptations' song "Don't Send Me Away" is about a man who has hurt his lover and feels the consequences. The song is an heartfelt plea for his lover to forgive him and not send him away. The song starts with the man admitting his mistake, and then begs his lover not to close the door on him. He promises to make it up to her saying "I'll cherish you" and will then try to win her back by reminding her how much he needs her love. The man is willing to pay anything, even his life, to be with her again.
The song lyrically is quite simple but its emotional complexity makes it captivating. The Temptations showcase their vocal range with their signature harmonies, whilst the instrumental arrangements compliment the emotional plea of the vocals. The song's themes of forgiveness and redemption, recurring in Motown music, speaks to Human nature where one may have faltered but the possibility of an opportunity in redemption still exists.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't send me away
I am pleading with you not to send me away from your life
(Don't send me away)
Repeating my plea to not be rejected
I've hurt you, it's true
I acknowledge the pain I caused you
Don't close the door
I implore you not to shut me out of your life
(Don't close the door)
Restating my plea to not be rejected
I'll make it up to you
I promise to make things better between us
'Cause you know that I (need your) your wonderful love
Acknowledging that I depend on your amazing love
Whoa
Expressing a combination of gratitude and pleading
I may have been wrong
Admitting that I have made mistakes
But please let me stay
Asking for permission to keep being a part of your life
(Please let me stay)
Repeating my request for acceptance
Here, where I belong
Stating that I feel like I belong with you
Darling, you know that I (need your) your wonderful love
Affirming that I still deeply desire your fantastic love
(I need) I need your love (your love)
Emphasizing that I crave your love and affection
Dear, through all my days of mine I need your love
Saying that I will always need your love, no matter what
Dear, through every phase of mine I need your love
Declaring that your love is essential to all aspects of my life
Everyday and in every way
Expressing that I need your love every day, in every circumstance
Hmm
Reflecting on my feelings and desires
For I surely be lost
Acknowledging that losing you would leave me lost and without direction
I'm willing to pay (willing to pay)
Saying that I am willing to sacrifice and make amends to keep you in my life
My life as the cost
Expressing that I would do anything, even risk my life, to keep your love
Oh, you know I do (I need your love)
Reaffirming that I still truly need and desire your love
Oh, I'll cherish you (I need your love)
Promising to value and cherish your love
Oh, don't be cruel (I need your love)
Imploring you to not be harsh and reject me, since I still need your love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDDIE J. KENDRICK, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jaylen E. Turner
@D-Stax 'Worldwide Stax'
No.
He sang lead on this song,
“I Ain’t Got Nothin”,
“I See My Child”,
“Darling,Stand By Me”,
“Read Between The Lines”,
“Can’t You See Sweet Thing”,
“For Your Love/You Send Me”.
Javonte Treble
You're awesome! I have a singing group of my own, and in a lot of ways I'm like the "Otis" of the group. Though none of my band-mates have every given me the kind of runaround that Dave and Paul gave Otis, it is STILL a tough position. And as far as singing. Singing lead is no easy task, but being a harmony singer is TOUGH. You have to be ON IT. Because if your voice goes off key for even a SECOND, it can throw EVERYONE off. Thanks for educating all these anti-Otis drones!
Laval Smith
Otis was no joke! He could follow Eddie's background like a shadow. He was always a very integral part of the harmonies that were the Temptations hallmark!A good example is "Slow Down Heart " Eddie is clowning and Otis is breathing down his neck! Otis definitely had skills and was humble enough to know his place!
Harry Smyer
Otis strongest part of the Temptations was he was a great second tenor under Eddie Kendricks. He made Eddies first tenor fit like a hand in a glove.
Robert Boone
"Beautiful song....I liked it as a child and love it now. Otis is on point. That background is on fire especially with Eddie spicing it up back there."
dalkey130388
Yes, when he gets the chances to take centre stage he doesn't dissapoint. It annoys me when people hate on Otis, people forget he wasn't in the Temptations for nothing. He's got talent, listen to I Aint Got Nothin' as well, that's quality. Thanks for your comment yungthirst9, much appreciated.
Je Ed
+dalkey130388, growing up as a child in Jamaica (Caribbean), I would hear this song play on the radio stations in Jamaica all the time, and thought it was a "hit' for the Temptation . I also thought it was David Ruffin as the lead singer. I mean, I did notice that the voice was much smoother and silker, but I thought he had manage to mello his vocals for this one........Seeing that it is a romantic waltz. I am so happy to know it's Otis Wiliams, because he gets a raw deal from folks who should understand that, a person does not start a group and allow it to be hijack by a person who was hired as a lead singer. This was his vision, to have a famous group....an on-going famous group. And lead singers have a way of leaving the group high and dry whenever they see another opportunity that fits their needs better. The founder of a company does not give his company away to the CEO, just because the CEO made the business more successful than before he was hired???.....I mean to say..........Was it not for this purpose that he was hired in the first place???.....So why should it be any different with a song group. Otis has a beautiful voice and doing songs that are classified as waltz suits his refine voice. All the leads who gave him hell, ought to be grateful that he was happy to stand in the background and allow them to take the lead, making themselves into a household name....... I was wanting to make this a public comment, but can't activate it, so I make it into my reply to your comment.
Norma J.
I really like your comment, I'm a Jamaican too and did not know about the rivalry of the group so we appreciated all the songs for how beautiful they were and did not focus on the lead singer. I don't even think the movie put him in a bad light either, just because of the quote "nobody is coming to see you Otis" by David's character the haters keep acting as if that is gospel. Without him Temptations would probably have died when David left. The people who are hating on him forgot that David wasn't even with the original group and also the group went on to sell many million sellers afterwards. I am glad that there is someone who appreciates Otis like I do. Love, love, this song!
Je Ed
+Norma Harris, you nailed it, back in Jamaica, we enjoyed and appreciated all the songs of the Tempts not focusing on who the lead singer was, and not caring either way. It was a sad day for me when I found out that David was no longer apart of the group because I loved his voice, can you imagine how shock I was when I found out about his drugs usage?........I felt the cocaine messed up his reasoning ability making him start seeing himself as more important than the group. Paul and Eddi were the top lead for the group before David came on the scene, and I also believe that the decision of Motown to push back Paul and share the lead between David and Eddi cause Paul to feel his talent was unappreciated....and the negative effect it had on him, cause him to start drinking to ease his pain (depression). Eddi said in one interview, that "Decisions were being made for the group which were not in the best interest for the group".........I strongly believe that the decision to push back Paul, rather than sharing the lead between all three was the catalyst of everything going down hill for the group...............(1) Paul's drinking problem and (2) David's egotistical behaviour, so sad. Now we have all these people hating on Otis because he had foresight and kept the group together. With David's egotistical behaviour, it woud not be very long before David use the opportunity to launch his solo career, had they changed the name to ..."David Ruffin and the Temptations"...........And with all the members of the Tempts being lead singers, means that David was delusional to think that such a thing could have happened in the first place..........Now we have all these haters of Otis who are just as delusional as David was......So sad
PATRICIA MISSIE
THANK YOU DALKEY130388
Jermaine
I give Otis credit for his book and the movie for introducing the Tempts to a new generation. That has done more for keeping them on the radar than keeping the group together which is more about him milking every cent he can out of the franchise. Another reason the Tempts endure is because the music is so great. The Tempts will live forever, because their huge catalog will never sound obsolete.