Elevator Eyes
The Temptations Lyrics


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Look you up, look you down
I'm all shook up, baby

Listen girl
From the moment I saw you
My hair stood on end
Who's that lady so lovely
Like poetry in motion

I play by the rules
I mean no disrespect
But you're the kind of girl
That'll make a man stop and turn his head

Don't want no sexual harassment
But I just can't help it
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes
As you go walkin' by girl
I say, "My oh my oh my"
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes

Your body foundation is really out of sight
Your hair and your clothes
Everything is just right
I inspect you like a general does his army
Close order drill girl
Girl, you're looking so damn charming

Don't want no sexual harassment
But I just can't help it
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes
As you go walkin' by girl
I say, "My oh my oh my"
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes

Girl, I know just how a woman must feel
A woman wants respect for who she is
I still believe that a woman wants to be told
She's an angel of mercy (just like you)
Full of surprises (yes, I am)
So full of love, there's no denying

Don't want no sexual harassment
But I just can't help it
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes
As you go walkin' by girl
I say, "My oh my oh my"
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes

Don't want no sexual harassment
But I just can't help it
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes
As you go walkin' by girl
I say, "My oh my oh my"
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes

Don't want no sexual harassment
But I just can't help it
I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes
As you go walkin' by girl




I say, "My oh my oh my"
I got those elevator eyes girl

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' song "Elevator Eyes" is a light-hearted ode to a beautiful woman who catches the attention of the singer. The lyrics of the song describe the moment when the singer first sees the woman and feels as if his hair is standing on end. He means no disrespect to the woman, but he can't help but stare at her as she walks by with "elevator eyes" - a term that refers to the way a person's eyes move up and down as they check someone out. The singer wants to make it clear that he doesn't want to harass the woman, but he's just powerless to resist her charm.


Throughout the song, the singer makes it clear that he wants to show respect to women and doesn't want to come across as a creep. He acknowledges that women want to be appreciated for who they are and not just objectified for their looks. However, he can't help but be drawn in by the woman's beauty and can't resist checking her out.


Overall, "Elevator Eyes" is a playful and catchy song that celebrates the beauty of women while also acknowledging the importance of treating them with respect and dignity.


Line by Line Meaning

Look you up, look you down
I'm scanning your whole appearance from head to toe


I'm all shook up, baby
You have made a strong impression on me and I'm feeling stunned


From the moment I saw you
Since the instant I laid eyes on you


My hair stood on end
I was so emotionally taken aback that my hair stood up in shock


Who's that lady so lovely
Who is this beautiful woman with such an attractive presence


Like poetry in motion
Your graceful movements resemble a beautiful piece of poetry


I play by the rules
I respect people's boundaries and follow societal norms


I mean no disrespect
I don't intend to offend or belittle you in any way


But you're the kind of girl
You are the type of woman


That'll make a man stop and turn his head
That will cause a man to stop what he's doing and give you his full attention


I got those elevator eyes, elevator eyes
I am looking at you in a way that is similar to how someone looks at different floors in an elevator


As you go walkin' by girl
As you pass by me walking


I say, "My oh my oh my"
I am exclaiming my amazement at your stunning appearance


Your body foundation is really out of sight
Your physical structure is absolutely amazing


Your hair and your clothes
Both your hair and your clothing attire


Everything is just right
Everything is perfect and fits together well


I inspect you like a general does his army
I am taking a close and detailed look at you as if I were a general checking over his troops


Close order drill girl
A reference to military drill movement, used to describe the precision and attractiveness of the woman


Girl, you're looking so damn charming
You are looking extremely attractive and captivating


Girl, I know just how a woman must feel
I understand the emotional experience that a woman goes through


A woman wants respect for who she is
Women want to be recognized and respected for who they are as individuals


I still believe that a woman wants to be told
I continue to believe that women want to hear certain things


She's an angel of mercy (just like you)
She is someone who brings kindness and compassion, just like you


Full of surprises (yes, I am)
I am a dynamic and exciting person who has many layers and surprises


So full of love, there's no denying
I have an abundance of love and affection to give and it's impossible to deny




Writer(s): Dennis Nelson, Otis Williams

Contributed by Alyssa V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

TheLinainverse5

I love both versions of this song to be honest

Tharan Manning

It's a good song but Ali and Theo did it better.its still good song.i have the same thing elevator eyes.i look up and down.

C 5200

TNR-vintage. This version of this song is good, but Ollie Ali Woodson and Theo Peoples do it great. Kelsey West Philly 😊 ✌

Cristian Venegas

ojos de ascensor,,
 ud mira hacia arriba y hacia abajo
todo lo que ud sacudio
desde el momento que te vi se pusieron los pelos de punta
quien es esa chica encantadora
    ella es un ángel...etc..etc...
     que gran cancion,,idolos.....

Glenroy Brome

Terry Weeks and Bo Henderson on leads

Glenroy Brome

Terry Weeks and Barrington Henderson on leads

chario TwoFilthy

Hi edagdwg thanks You tube for sharing this story of what happens when I met my baby God gave both of us a trip that we are still triping linda j.❤️❤️💯💯💯💯☮️☮️☮️☮️🐻🐻🐻🐻🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏