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.
Farewell My Love
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boom
Boom
Boom
Boom
Boom
Boom
Farewell, my love.
I love you more than anything.
No one knows the good you bring
Eddie: to me.
But I've got to set you free. (Boo oh)
I've just got to set you free. (Boo oh)
Aw, goodbye, (goodbye) my love. (My love)
I'm gonna cry, (gonna cry) my love. (My love)
The vow of love you broken.
The law of love has spoken
to you.
Oh, why couldn't you be true? (Why couldn't you be true?)
Why couldn't you be true? (Why couldn't you be true?)
So long, baby.
You know, it's so hard
It's really hard to find someone in this wide world, who's really true.
I guess it's just meant for me to be unhappy.
But I believe, I really do believe that somewhere someone is waiting for me.
Aw, she's there, (she's there) my love. (My love)
Somewhere, (somewhere) my love. (My love)
Someone who cares.
And still be there
Eddie: with me.
Oh, my darling can't you see? (Boo oh)
How wonderful it would be, yeah. (Boo oh)
Farewell, to you.
Farewell, my love.
We're
Through.
We're through.
The Temptations' song "Farewell My Love" is a heart-wrenching ballad about the end of a love affair. The song begins with a repetitive, rhythmic instrumental that builds until the singer says goodbye to his love. The first line of the lyrics repeats twice, indicating the importance of the farewell the singer is about to make.
The lyrics reveal the depth of the singer's love for his partner. He says that he loves her more than anything and that no one else gives him the same feeling that she does. However, despite their strong connection, he feels that he needs to set her free. The love that was once unbreakable, has now been broken, and there is no way for them to fix it.
The singer is emotional as he says goodbye to the person he loves, as evident from the lyrics "I'm gonna cry, my love." He is heartbroken because the vow of love they made to each other has been broken.
The song's somber, melancholic tone is amplified when the singer laments that he cannot find someone who is really true in this world. The song ends with the farewell being absolute, as the singer notes that they are through.
Overall, the song captures the sadness of losing someone you love and the struggle to move on from that relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Boom
Sound of drums
Farewell, my love.
Parting words to one's lover
I love you more than anything.
Expression of deep affection
No one knows the good you bring
Acknowledgment of the positive impact of a person
Eddie: to me.
Directing the statement above to a specific person or an aside in the song
But I've got to set you free. (Boo oh)
Acknowledgment of the necessity to let go of the person being addressed despite the love felt towards them.
Aw, goodbye, (goodbye) my love. (My love)
Sorrowful goodbye to the person addressed with an additional declaration of love in the same breath.
I'm gonna cry, (gonna cry) my love. (My love)
Acknowledgment of the emotional pain caused by the parting of ways.
The vow of love you broken.
Reference to a broken promise of love
The law of love has spoken
Reference to the natural course of love and its unpredictable nature
to you.
Specifying the party responsible for the broken promise or the unpredictability of love
Oh, why couldn't you be true? (Why couldn't you be true?)
Questioning the reasons behind the unfulfilled promise of love.
So long, baby.
A farewell to the addressed lover.
You know, it's so hard
Acknowledgment of the difficulty in finding true love.
It's really hard to find someone in this wide world, who's really true.
Reiterating the difficulty in finding true love - adding to the preceding statement.
I guess it's just meant for me to be unhappy.
Acceptance of the current situation of loneliness or heartbreak.
But I believe, I really do believe that somewhere someone is waiting for me.
Optimistic outlook that there's someone out there for the artist
Aw, she's there, (she's there) my love. (My love)
Reference to the possible presence of a new lover or a manifestation of hope in the midst of heartbreak.
Somewhere, (somewhere) my love. (My love)
Further emphasis on the presence of a new lover somewhere to be found.
Someone who cares.
Description of the qualities expected of a new lover - someone who genuinely cares for the artist.
And still be there
Emphasis on the need for loyalty in a new lover.
Eddie: with me.
Directing the description of the qualities of a new lover to Eddie, someone within the context of the song
Oh, my darling can't you see? (Boo oh)
Questioning if the addressed lover sees the possibility of something better in the future.
How wonderful it would be, yeah. (Boo oh)
Positive imagination of what it would be like to find a new lover.
Farewell, to you.
A final farewell to the addressed lover.
We're through.
Acknowledgment of the end of the relationship with the addressed lover.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind