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.
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I, I've grown, grown accustomed to her voice
I've grown accustomed to her face
She almost makes the day begin
I've grown accustomed to the tune
She whistles night and noon
Her smiles, her frowns, her ups and her downs
Are second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
(Breathing out and in)
I was serenely independent and content before we met
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
I've grown accustomed to her looks
Accustomed to her voice, accustomed to her face
Grown accustomed to her looks
Grown accustomed to her voice
I've grown accustomed to her face
She almost makes the day begin
(Day begin)
I've gotten used to hear her say
"Good morning", every day
Her joys, her woes, her highs, her lows
Are second nature to me now
(Second nature)
Like breathing out and breathing in
(Breathing out and in)
I'm so grateful she's a woman and so easy to forget
Rather like a habit one can always break and yet
I've grown accustomed to the trace of something in the air
Accustomed to her face
Grown accustomed to her looks
Grown accustomed to her trace
I've grown accustomed to her voice
Grown accustomed to her face
She's second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
(Breathing out and breathing in)
I was serenely independent and content before we met
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
I've grown accustomed to her looks
Accustomed to her voice, I've accustomed to her face
Her looks
(I can't believe)
Her trace
(How much I love her)
Her voice
Her face
(I'm addicted to you, baby)
Her looks
Her trace
(Because your love that drives me crazy)
Her voice
Her face
Grown accustomed to her voice
(You know I finally realize)
Grown accustomed to her face
(I got to hold it by my side)
Grown accustomed to her looks
(I wanna be, be your ornament)
Grown accustomed to her trace
('Cause I love you, baby, please take my hand)
Grown accustomed to her voice
(I'll be good to you each and everyday)
Grown accustomed to her face
(I've grown accustomed)
Grown accustomed to her looks
Grown accustomed to her trace
(Can't live if the livin' is without you)
Grown accustomed to her voice
Grown accustomed to her face
(Can't give, can't live anymore)
The Temptations' song "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" is a classic ode to falling in love and getting used to a significant other's presence. The lyrics showcase the singer's journey of forming a habit around his beloved's looks, voice, and expressions. The song speaks to the idea that even though there was a time when the singer could've gone back to being independent and content without the presence of his significant other, he has now grown accustomed to her and cannot imagine life without her.
The singer speaks of how he has grown accustomed to his beloved's looks as if it is a natural inclination, "Accustomed to her voice, accustomed to her face." He is so used to her that her every move, whether they are good or bad, is "second nature" to him, like breathing in and out. However, the singer is aware that this reliance on his significant other is not necessarily a healthy thing, as he admits to being addicted to her and how her love drives him crazy. Despite this, he cannot imagine life without her, even though he knows he could potentially break the habit.
Line by Line Meaning
Grown accustomed to her looks
I have become so used to seeing her and her appearance that it is no longer strange or new to me.
Oh I, I've grown, grown accustomed to her voice
I have become very familiar with the way she sounds when she speaks and can easily recognize her voice.
I've grown accustomed to her face
I have become so used to seeing her and her facial expression that it is no longer strange or new to me.
She almost makes the day begin
Her presence in my life is so important that it feels like she is the one responsible for starting a new day for me.
I've grown accustomed to the tune
I have become very familiar with the melody or rhythm associated with her presence or actions.
She whistles night and noon
She is often heard whistling at different times of the day and I have gotten used to this habit.
Her smiles, her frowns, her ups and her downs
I have become very accustomed to her moods, emotions, and expressions, whether they are good or bad.
Are second nature to me now
I have become so used to her behavior and actions that it feels natural or instinctive to me.
(Second nature)
I am so used to her now that her behavior or actions have become an instinctive or unconscious part of me.
Like breathing out and breathing in
Her presence, her behaviors, and her actions have become as important and as natural to me as breathing out and in.
I was serenely independent and content before we met
Before I met her, I was living a peaceful and content life, without any dependency on anyone else.
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
Although I feel like I can live independently again, I am unsure if I want to or if I can break away from my dependence on her.
I'm so grateful she's a woman and so easy to forget
I am grateful that she is a woman because it makes it easy for me to forget her and move on with my life, but I don't want to.
Rather like a habit one can always break and yet
Although I know I can break away from my dependence on her like a bad habit, I don't want to because it has become a part of me.
I've grown accustomed to the trace of something in the air
I have become used to sensing something in my environment that reminds me of her presence or her scent.
I can't believe
I am amazed or surprised by the extent of my feelings for her.
How much I love her
I am in love with her more than I ever thought possible.
I'm addicted to you, baby
I have become dependent on her love and presence that it feels like an addiction to me.
Because your love that drives me crazy
Her love drives me crazy and I can't get enough of it.
You know I finally realize
I have finally become aware of something that has been true for a long time.
I got to hold it by my side
I need her to be by my side and to be a part of my life.
I wanna be, be your ornament
I want to be a part of her life and to be with her like an ornament, always at her side.
'Cause I love you, baby, please take my hand
Because I love her, I want her to take my hand and be with me forever.
I'll be good to you each and everyday
I promise to be good to her and to take care of her every day of our lives together.
Can't live if the livin' is without you
I can't imagine living without her, she is an inseparable part of my life now.
Can't give, can't live anymore
Without her, I can't be myself and I can't imagine living my life without her in it.
Writer(s): A.J. LERNER, F. LOEWE
Contributed by Sydney C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.