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 Never Been To Me
The Temptations Lyrics
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You're a discontented mother and a rich inventive wife
I've no doubt you dream about the things you'll never do
But I wish someone had a talked to me like I wanna talk to you
Ooh I've been to Georgia and California, oh, anywhere I could run
Took the hand of a preacher man and we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free
Please lady, please, lady, don't just walk away
Cause I have this need to tell you why I'm all alone today
I can see so much of me still living in your eyes
Won't you share a part of a weary heart that has lived a million lies
Oh I've been to Nice and the isle of Greece
While I sipped champagne on a yacht
I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo and showed 'em what I've got
I've been undressed by kings and I've seen some things
That a woman ain't s'posed to see
I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me
Hey, you know what paradise is? It's a lie. A fantasy we create about
People and places as we'd like them to be. But you know what truth is?
It's that little baby you're holding, and it's that man you fought with
This morning, the same one you're going to make love with tonight.
That's truth, that's love
Sometimes I've been to cryin' for unborn children
That might have made me complete
But I, I took the sweet life and never knew I'd be bitter from the sweet
I spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that cost too much to be free
Hey lady, I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me
I've been to paradise, never been to me
(I've been to Georgia and California, and anywhere I could run)
I've been to paradise, never been to me
(I've been to Nice and the isle of Greece
While I sipped champagne on a yacht)
I've been to paradise, never been to me
(I've been to cryin' for unborn children)
The Temptations' song I've Never Been to Me is about a woman who appears to have it all – a wealthy husband and family, nice home, and the ability to jet-set around the world. However, the woman is unhappy and unfulfilled because she has never truly experienced love or felt complete. The song starts with the singer addressing the woman as she curses her life, acknowledging her discontent as a mother and wife. The singer wishes someone had talked to her as he wants to talk to the woman, then goes on to describe his travels to various places.
The singer has been to many different places, including Georgia, California, Nice, the Isle of Greece, and Monte Carlo. He has had experiences that some women are "not supposed to see," including being undressed by kings. However, despite all of his travels and experiences, the singer has never truly found paradise because he has never found love or been able to feel complete. He has cried for unborn children that he will never have and took the sweet life without realizing the bitter consequences.
In the end, he tells the woman that paradise is a lie and that truth and love can be found in the people and situations we encounter every day, like the baby she's holding and the man she fought with that morning but will make love to that night. The song is a reminder that material possessions and worldly experiences cannot replace love and fulfillment in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey lady, you, lady, cursin' at your life
Hello, lady, you are using foul language to describe your life
You're a discontented mother and a rich inventive wife
You are unhappy as a mother and spouse, even though you have wealth and creativity
I've no doubt you dream about the things you'll never do
I believe you fantasize about things you will never experience
But I wish someone had a talked to me like I wanna talk to you
I wish someone had given me advice like I want to give to you
Ooh I've been to Georgia and California, oh, anywhere I could run
I have traveled to many places, including Georgia and California, to escape my problems
Took the hand of a preacher man and we made love in the sun
I engaged in romantic activity with a religious leader while in a sunny location
But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free
I exhausted my options and friends because I value my freedom above all else
I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me
I have experienced beauty and luxury, but I have not truly explored my own desires and identity
Please lady, please, lady, don't just walk away
Please, lady, do not ignore me and leave without hearing my words
Cause I have this need to tell you why I'm all alone today
I desire to explain to you the reasons for my loneliness today
I can see so much of me still living in your eyes
I believe I see aspects of myself reflected in your eyes
Won't you share a part of a weary heart that has lived a million lies
Please open up and tell me some of the falsehoods you have experienced in your life
Oh, you know what paradise is? It's a lie. A fantasy we create about
You know what paradise really is? It is a figment of our imaginations, a made-up ideal of people and places
People and places as we'd like them to be. But you know what truth is?
We envision them the way we want them to be, but the reality is quite different
It's that little baby you're holding, and it's that man you fought with
The truth is the child you are currently holding, and the man you argued with this morning
This morning, the same one you're going to make love with tonight.
The same man you will be intimate with later today
That's truth, that's love
That is what love truly is
Sometimes I've been to cryin' for unborn children
At times, I have mourned for children I never had
That might have made me complete
Having those children may have fulfilled me
But I, I took the sweet life and never knew I'd be bitter from the sweet
However, I spent my life indulging in lavish pleasures without realizing they would ultimately cause me pain
I spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that cost too much to be free
I have wasted my life engaged in activities that may have seemed pleasurable, but were actually too expensive to provide real freedom
Hey lady, I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me
Hello, lady, I have experienced extravagance and beauty, but I have not taken the time to discover who I truly am
I've been to paradise, never been to me
I have experienced luxury and splendor, but I have not fully explored my own thoughts and feelings
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kenneth W Hirsch, Ronald N. Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind