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 Lost Everything I've Ever Had
The Temptations Lyrics
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I was raised an only child
My folks died when I was four
They were trapped in a fire
Way up on the fourteenth floor
Well, my lovin' granny raised me
'Til I reached the age of ten
And left my dog Jeff, my only friend
Oh, baby
Seem like the odds are against me
Nothing works out right for me, ooh
I've lost everything I've ever loved
Honey, honey, now I'm losing you, baby
I've lost everything I've ever, ever loved
Honey, honey, now I'm losing you
Ooh, baby
So, all my love I gave to Jeff
Cause he was all I had right then
But the wheels of an automobile
Brought his life to a tragic end
From an orphan home to college
Thought I found true love in you
I felt sure we would marry
But your folks did not approve
Oh, baby
Seem like the odds are against me
Nothing works out right for me, ooh
I've lost everything I've ever loved
Now I'm losing you, oh
I've lost everything I've ever loved, baby
Honey, honey, now I'm losing you
Ooh, baby
You accepted their decision
Without any type of defense
They said if we wait a few more years
That would make a little more sense
So we waited three or four
Everyday we kept in touch
But when we came face to face
You didn't love me quite as much
Oh, baby
Seem like the odds are against me
Nothing works out right for me
I've lost everything I've ever loved
Baby, baby, baby, now I'm losin' you
I've lost everything I've ever loved
Now, I'm losin' you
Now, I'm losin' you
I've lost everything I've ever loved
(Every, every, everything, ever)
Now, I'm losin' you
(Honey, now I'm losing you)
The Temptations' song "I've Lost Everything I've Ever Had" tells the tale of a man who has suffered repeated losses in his life. The singer's parents died tragically when he was only four years old in a fire that tore through their apartment building. His grandmother took over raising him, but when he was ten years old, she too passed away, leaving him with only his dog Jeff as a companion. The man loved Jeff and cared for him deeply, but he too died tragically when he was hit by an automobile.
Growing up in an orphan home, the man eventually made it to college and fell in love with a woman. However, the woman's parents didn't approve of the couple, and they were forced to wait until they were older to be together. When they reunited, the man discovered that his love's feelings had changed, and she no longer loved him as she once had, leaving him with yet another loss.
The lyrics are filled with a sense of hopelessness and despair, highlighted in the chorus with the lines "I've lost everything I've ever loved / Honey, honey, now I'm losing you." The repetition of the phrase "I've lost everything" emphasizes the cumulative weight of the man's losses and the feeling that he has nothing left to hold onto. The lyrics speak to universal themes of loss and the challenges of moving forward when the odds seem stacked against us.
Line by Line Meaning
I was raised an only child
I grew up without siblings
My folks died when I was four
My parents passed away when I was very young
They were trapped in a fire
They were killed in a fire accident
Well, my lovin' granny raised me
My grandmother took care of me after my parents died
'Til I reached the age of ten
She took care of me until I was 10 years old
But the good Lord took her too
My grandmother also passed away
And left my dog Jeff, my only friend
Jeff, my dog, was the only companion I had left
Seem like the odds are against me
I feel like I am always going through tough times
Nothing works out right for me, ooh
I am always dealing with hardships and struggles
Honey, honey, now I'm losing you, baby
Now, I am even losing my romantic partner
So, all my love I gave to Jeff
I poured all my love into my dog, Jeff
Cause he was all I had right then
Jeff was the only one I had in my life at that point
But the wheels of an automobile
Unfortunately, Jeff died in a tragic car accident
Brought his life to a tragic end
He passed away because of it
From an orphan home to college
I went from being in an orphanage to attending college
Thought I found true love in you
I thought I had found my soulmate in you
But your folks did not approve
However, your parents did not accept our relationship
They said if we wait a few more years
They suggested we wait a few years before getting married
That would make a little more sense
They believed it would be more appropriate
So we waited three or four
We patiently waited for three or four years
Everyday we kept in touch
We maintained our love through daily communication
But when we came face to face
However, when we met again after a long time
You didn't love me quite as much
It seemed like your love for me had faded away
I've lost everything I've ever loved
I have lost every precious thing I had in life
Now I'm losing you
And now, I am losing you as well
(Every, every, everything, ever)
Everything I had ever loved or cherished
(Honey, now I'm losing you)
And now, I am even losing you, my love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL, THOMAS KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LL-uw6sm
His voice is out of this world raw energy all with ease..
@tashahannah4732
This song is deep. He lost his parents, grandma, his dog Jeff and that woman. So much pain. You've got to love David Ruffin. R.I.P.
@terrell5856
Deep song but none of it is true
@tashahannah4732
@@terrell5856 It sounds good.
@omarshabazz9610
David sings his ass off!!!!!!!!!!! Pure emotion that you can feel and relate to!!!!!!! The energy, the raspy grit, the power, this cat was something else!
@lindawyche6837
What a troubled man "gone too soon"! However, he had a soul, voice and love. You were and still are the best of all times. Your music will never die. RIP David!
@jameshampton320
Yes,He was one of the greatest singers of all time...Their will never be another David Ruffin may his soul rest in peace...
@Delinda-Kay
The greatest singer that ever lived!!! Rip David!!
@superteacher1000
Just gives you goosebumps. Amazing and will never be equalled.
@omarshabazz9610
Love you brother David, you sung your ass off and we all know it! He sends chills down my spine whenever I hear the realism
that he expresses through his music. We will never again hear anything like this. If anyone else try's this they will wreck and strip their vocal chords!!!!! Case closed, gon' on home.