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.
How Can I Forget
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go out and find someone knew.
That won't be easy you see.
After all the things you've done for me.
Though I'm a man, I ain't too proud to say.
With you I stand tall and strong.
Without you girl, I'm nothing at all.
Your love gave me hope and strength, you're the reason I'm alive today.
How, I want to know.
How can I forget ya, woman
After all you've done for me.
You'll always be apart of me.
Girl, you don't realize what your love means to me.
It's more precious than the air I breathe.
I want to know, how...
How can I forget ya, woman
After all you've done for me.
Girl, you'll always be apart of me.
How, I want to know.
How can I forget ya, woman
After all you've done for me.
You'll always be apart of me.
How, how, how... how can I forget ya, woman
You've been so good, good baby.
How can I forget ya
It's impossible to do.
How can I forget ya, woman.
You've been so good, good, good to me.
How can I forget ya
I want to know.
Ha-ha-ha... how can I forget ya
The lyrics to The Temptations' song “How Can I Forget” tell the story of a man struggling to move on from a past love. The woman he is singing about has asked him to forget about her and find someone new, but he acknowledges that it won't be easy. He admits that with her he felt strong and without her, he feels like nothing at all. He compares his life without her to a snowman melting away in the sun - essentially, he feels like he is falling apart. He credits her love as the reason he is still alive today and admits that he can't just forget about her, because she will always be a part of him.
The song is a reflection of the pain and difficulty that comes with moving on from a past love. It highlights the struggle that many people face when trying to forget someone who has had a significant impact on their life. The lyrics express a sense of helplessness and longing for something that may no longer be possible.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was written by Motown songwriters Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland, who were known collectively as Holland-Dozier-Holland. They were responsible for writing many hit songs for The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Four Tops, among others. Another interesting fact is that the song was released in 1969, which was a turbulent time in America's history. The civil rights movement was in full swing, and The Temptations themselves had been involved in various civil rights activities.
Chords:
Verse:
G, Em, C, D
Chorus:
G, C, D, G
Bridge:
Am, D, G
Outro:
Em, D, C, G
Line by Line Meaning
You asked me to forget about you.
You requested me to move on from you.
Go out and find someone knew.
Find a new person to love.
That won't be easy you see.
It won't be easy to forget you.
After all the things you've done for me.
After all the love and support you have given me.
Though I'm a man, I ain't too proud to say.
Although I am a man, I am not too prideful to admit.
With you I stand tall and strong.
You make me feel confident and powerful.
Without you girl, I'm nothing at all.
I am incomplete and lost without you.
Like a snowman in the sun, my life was wasting away.
My life was slowly deteriorating before I met you.
Your love gave me hope and strength, you're the reason I'm alive today.
Your love gave me a new sense of purpose and motivation to keep going.
Girl, you don't realize what your love means to me.
You are unaware of the true impact your love has on me.
It's more precious than the air I breathe.
Your love is more valuable to me than anything else in this world.
You've been so good, good, good to me.
You have been so kind and loving to me.
How can I forget ya?
How can I possibly forget you?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Byers
So beautiful, one of of my favourite Paul Williams vocals, WHY isn't isn't this twice as long?
MIMI88998899
This is one of my favorite Temptations songs and it just so happens that Paul Williams is singing the shit out of this song. His voice is a sexy smoldering smooth strong voice. Love it!!!
Mrs. Lenzy-Ransom
This song was just dedicated to me so I had to listen to it over and over!
Jaylen E. Turner
Written by
Norman Whitfield
and
Barrett Strong
——————————
Lead Vocals:
Paul Williams
(Baritone)
———————————
Background Vocals:
Eddie Kendricks
(First Tenor/Falsetto)
Otis Williams
(Second Tenor)
Paul Williams
(Baritone)
Melvin Franklin
(Bass)
————————————
Instrumentation:
The Funk Brothers
——————————————
Arranger and
Conductor:
Paul Riser
——————————
Produced by
Norman Whitfield
———————————
Year:
1968
———————————————
Although this was
the b-side to
“Please Return Your Love To Me”,
this song was not on the album
“I Wish It Would Rain”.
—————————————
Side Note:
This was one of the first songs that was
recorded after David Ruffin
was fired from the group.
5825 Iroq
Paul Williams ❤️❤️❤️