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 Can
The Temptations Lyrics
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That's the only kind that means a thing to me. (Ah-Pow-Pow)
Don't want a love you have to tell me about. (Ah-Pow-Pow)
That kind of loving I can sure do without. (I can sure do without)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I want a love I can feel. (Doo-Doo)
Don't want to be quoted by something I heard now. (Doo-Doo)
'Cause baby action speaks louder than words. (Ah, louder than words)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I want a love that's mine. (I want a love, that's mine)
In the rain or in sun, sun, sunshine. (I want a love, that's mine)
A love to keep warm when it's cold. (I want a love, that's mine)
The kind of love that will never grow old. (Never grow old)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh-uh-huh
(Don't you know I want a love)
(Why don't you know I want a love)
(Why don't you know I want a love)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Want a love I can see. (I wanna love I can see)
The kind of love you can give to me. (Give to me)
The kind of kisses to make, make me melt. (Ooo, make me melt)
The kind of love that can really be felt, now. (Really be felt)
Yeah, yeah, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby... I
Yeah, I want her love now.
The kind of love that can be felt.
Uh-huh. Yeah
Yeah, yeah, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby... I
Yeah
No I, I, I, I... I wanna love her.
Uh-huh. Yeah
The Temptations' song I Can is a classic R&B ballad that explores the theme of heartbreak and the challenges of moving on from a former lover. The opening lines of the song see the singer struggling to deal with the end of a relationship and being urged to find someone new, despite the difficulty he perceives in doing so. The chorus repeats the central question of the song, "How can I forget ya, woman?", suggesting that despite the pain and hurt caused by the breakup, the singer cannot help but hold onto the memories of the love he once shared with his former partner. The second verse sees the singer reflecting on the transformative power of his former lover's love, which gave him hope and strength when his life was "wasting away". He attests that her love is more precious to him than the air he breathes, emphasising the depth and intensity of his feelings. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that it is impossible for him to forget his former lover, as she will always be a part of him, even if their romantic bond has been broken.
Overall, the lyrics of I Can tap into a deep sense of emotional turmoil and vulnerability, as the singer grapples with the conflicting emotions of heartbreak, love and loss. The song's message is one of both heartache and hope, as the singer acknowledges that his former lover will always have a special place in his heart, even as he tries to move on and find love again.
Line by Line Meaning
You asked me to forget about you.
You requested that I erase any memory of you from my mind.
Go out and find someone new.
You suggested I search for a new partner.
That won't be easy you see.
Finding someone new will not be simple, as the love and care you provided me with cannot be easily replaced.
After all the things you've done for me.
You've done countless kind and meaningful things for me, making it hard for me to simply move on and forget about you.
Though I'm a man, I ain't too proud to say.
Despite being a man, I am not so prideful that I cannot admit my dependence and gratefulness for your love and support.
With you I stand tall and strong.
Your love empowers and strengthens me, allowing me to feel confident and courageous in life.
Without you girl, I'm nothing at all.
In your absence, I feel lost and incomplete, as your love is an integral part of who I am as a person.
Like a snowman in the sun, my life was wasting away.
Before meeting you, my life was empty and desolate, dissolving like a snowman melting in the sun.
Your love gave me hope and strength, you're the reason I'm alive today.
The love and support you showed me revitalized me, providing me with a newfound sense of purpose and vitality.
Girl, you don't realize what your love means to me.
You may not understand the deep and profound impact your love has on my life.
It's more precious than the air I breathe.
Your love is more valuable to me than even the most essential and vital element of life itself.
You'll always be apart of me.
Even if we are separated, you will always be present in my heart and mind.
How can I forget ya, woman.
I am struggling to find a way to let go of your memory and move on without you.
It's impossible to do.
The task of trying to forget you seems insurmountable, as your love has had such a profound impact on my life.
You've been so good, good, good to me.
You have consistently shown me kindness, affection, and love throughout our relationship.
I want to know.
I am desperate to discover a way to forget about you and move on with my life.
Ha-ha-ha... how can I forget ya.
I find the idea of trying to forget about you amusing, as it seems an impossible and futile task.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HighwayLand
I am 42 years old, I wasn't even around for the Motown era, but everything about the Temptations is solid gold. My grandmother gets full credit for forcing me to listen to this style of music when I was a kid. Thanks grandma!
Wendy B
i am 60 and i grew up loving Motown, yet i am too young still to have witnessed their rise to fame which is well deserved. Sad they are not around today. Love their vocals. Perfection! Ottis you rock, Sir for staying strong and bringing this joy to all of us!
Robert Thacher
@Wendy B The way they all sing a verse shows their enormous talent!
A Pa
I won't say my age, but I was arround. The problem was I did not realize how perfect they were. It took me til later before I "woke" up to that fact. The younger people now are smarter, they get it right away..
Lucan
Groups like this made you forget the race riots in major cities.
Thomas A. Cahan
... Motown was best listened to on AM car radio... Summertime with the windows rolled down (no A/C that worked back then)
Temps Tops and Supremes!
Chevelle threehundredpost
i don't think its possible to not enjoy this song, and this genre/era of music. Timeless, and absolutely makes you move.
Dee Harris
Everytime I hear this song it makes me wanna dance.
🔊🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🕺
Chancen Cobbs
That beat right ?an instraments yessssss baby
Barry Parks
This is PURE soul music at its' very best, that truly personifies what great R&B really is.