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.
Fading Away )
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like smoke from a cigarette, it's fading away
Fading away, fading away
It hurts me to think about how love where there was no doubt
Like a cloud when the sun comes out, it's fading away
Fading away, fading away
You've changed and it's showing
Tell me, where is your love going?
The plans we were making up, for I'll never break it up
Like dreams when you're waking up, are fading away
Fading away, fading away
The good times - we shared a lot, when you really cared a lot
Like steam from a coffee pot, it's fading way
Fading away, fading away
You've changed and it's showing, baby
You've changed and it's showing
Tell me, where is your love going?
Like smoke from a cigarette of dreams that you soon forget
Our love from the day we met; it's fading away
Fading away, fading away
You've changed and it's showing, baby
You've changed and it's showing
Tell me, where is your love going?
Going
You've changed and it's showing, baby
You've changed and it's showing
Tell me, where is your love going?
Going
In The Temptations' classic Motown hit "Fading Away," the lyrics explore the pangs of a dying love. The opening lines of "the feeling we used to get whenever our lips met, like smoke from a cigarette, it's fading away" express the sense of loss and nostalgia that comes from the inevitability of a love that has run its course. The imagery of smoke from a cigarette is powerful; smoke dissipates into the air and eventually disappears, just like the once-perfect love has evaporated into nothing.
The pain of watching love disappear continues with the lines "it hurts me to think about how love where there was no doubt, like a cloud when the sun comes out, it's fading away." The singer is unable to ignore the sinking feeling that their partner's feelings have changed irreparably. The repeated refrain of "you've changed and it's showing, baby" emphasizes the disillusionment and sadness that comes from realizing that the putative stability of a relationship has crumbled.
The song becomes more contemplative as the singer considers the past, with lines like "the good times - we shared a lot, when you really cared a lot, like steam from a coffee pot, it's fading away" and "the plans we were making up, for I'll never break it up, like dreams when you're waking up, are fading away." The final lyrics of "like smoke from a cigarette of dreams that you soon forget, our love from the day we met; it's fading away" reinforce the notion of impermanence; the love that at one time seemed so essential and enduring has vanished into thin air.
Line by Line Meaning
The feeling we used to get whenever our lips met
The passion and excitement we felt when we kissed
Like smoke from a cigarette, it's fading away
That feeling is slowly disappearing, like smoke from a cigarette dissipating into the air
It hurts me to think about how love where there was no doubt
Remembering a time when we loved each other without any hesitation or doubt
Like a cloud when the sun comes out, it's fading away
But now, that love is fading away like a cloud when the sun appears
Hmm, you've changed and it's showing, baby
I can tell that you're different now and it's become obvious
Tell me, where is your love going?
I want to know what has happened to the love we once had
The plans we were making up, for I'll never break it up
We had dreams and aspirations together that I wouldn't dare destroy
Like dreams when you're waking up, are fading away
But those plans seem to be slipping away like dreams upon waking up
The good times - we shared a lot, when you really cared a lot
We had some amazing moments when we truly cared about each other
Like steam from a coffee pot, it's fading way
Sadly, those memories are fading away like steam disappearing from a coffee pot
Like smoke from a cigarette of dreams that you soon forget
Our love, which was once so promising, is now fading away like the smoke from a cigarette of forgotten dreams
Going
Our love is slowly disappearing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT ROGERS, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WARREN MOORE, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William Low
Still...one of the classic songs from a group that supplied us with many a masterpiece in there time together
Robert Bright
The bass line absolutely compliments the lead vocals and carries the song.🎼🎸🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎼
Robert Velez
One of Eddie Kendricks finest performances!
Joyce Griggs
You don't forget songs like this. Thank you You Tube!
willcat
THE MIRACLES and their style is ALL OVER this record !! 3 of them WROTE it, (Smokey, Bobby, and Pete) and one of them PRODUCED it . That even sounds like MARV TARPLIN on GUITAR !!
Mrs Jones
MY Temptations! All the ORIGINALS! They sound SOooo Good! 😪❤
richard gardener
Have always loved The Funk Brothers mastery on this track and the key change,
Lois Weiss
always had a thing for this song. work it Eddie Kendricks
Arlene Davis- Robinson
Loved every song they made. Was a favorite group
mrstanbmw
I can relate to this song, you change and its showing ain't nothing you do