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.
Hold me
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems that I'm always thinking of you
Though you treat me badly
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me
I don't want you but I need you
Don't want to kiss you but I need to
Though you do me wrong now
My love is strong now, you really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me, baby
I love you and all I want you to do is just to
Please, squeeze, hold me
Tighter, tighter
I wanna leave you, don't wanna stay here
Don't want to spend another day here
Though I wanna split now, I cant quit now
You really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me, baby
I love you and all I want you to do is just to
Please, squeeze me yeah
You really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me
Oh you really got a hold on me
Oh you really got a hold on me
The lyrics of The Temptations' song "Hold Me" expresses a situation of emotional conflict. On one hand, the singer acknowledges that they do not like and possibly do not even want to be with their significant other. However, on the other hand, they realize that they cannot help but love and need them. Even though they are treated badly, the love they feel is so strong that they cannot leave. The lyrics state that the significant other has a hold on the singer, emphasizing their intense grasp on their emotions, feelings, and desires.
The chorus of the song resolves with the singer pleading to their significant other to hold them tighter, despite the conflict in the relationship. The internal struggle of the singer shows how love can be complex and multifaceted, and how it can make one feel vulnerable and helpless. The song is powerful in communicating the idea that the heart wants what it wants, regardless of whether it is reasonable or not.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't like you but I love you
Even though I don't like you because of the way you treat me, I can't help but love you.
Seems that I'm always thinking of you
You occupy my thoughts all the time, no matter how much I try to forget or move on.
Though you treat me badly
Despite your constant mistreatment, I still care for you deeply.
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me
I'm crazily in love with you, and you have such a strong grip on my heart and emotions.
You really got a hold on me, baby
You have an irresistible, unbreakable hold over me, which I can't escape from.
I don't want you but I need you
Although I don't want to admit it, I'm fully dependent on you and can't live without you.
Don't want to kiss you but I need to
Even though I don't want to get close to you, I crave your affection and intimacy.
Though you do me wrong now
Even though you continuously hurt me with your actions and words,
My love is strong now, you really got a hold on me
My love for you has only intensified despite the wrongs you do, and you still maintain complete control over me.
I love you and all I want you to do is just to Please, squeeze, hold me
All I want is for you to hold me tightly and show me some love and affection, despite how toxic our relationship may be.
Tighter, tighter
I want you to hold me so tight that I forget all my worries and problems and feel entirely safe and secure in your arms.
I wanna leave you, don't wanna stay here
Despite my growing unhappiness and desire to leave, I can't seem to break away from your hold on me.
Don't want to spend another day here
I dread being with you, and the thought of another day in our relationship fills me with dread and despair.
Though I wanna split now, I cant quit now
As much as I want to end things between us, I'm too emotionally invested in you to let go.
Please, squeeze me yeah
Once again, I plead for you to hold me tightly and give me the love I crave, no matter how damaging it may be in the long run.
Oh you really got a hold on me
You have such a strong grip on me that I can't escape even if I want to, and you hold all the power in our relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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