I Can't Get Next to You
The Temptations Lyrics


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I
Can turn the gray sky blue
I can make it rain, whenever I want it to, oh I
I can build a castle from a single grain of sand
I can make a ship sail, on dry land tell 'em yeah
But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue
'Cause I can't get next to you
I can't get next to you, babe (next to you)
I can't get next to you (I just can't get next you)
I can't get next to you, babe
I can't get next to you

I
Can fly like a bird in the sky
Hey, and I can buy anything that money can't buy
Oh, I
I can turn a river into a raging fire
I can live forever if I so desired

Unimportant are all the things I can do
'Cause I can't get next to you

I can't get next to you, babe (no matter what I do)
I can't get next to you
Uh-ya

Ooo-ooo
Ooo-ooo
Chica boom, chica boom
Chica boom, boom, boom

I can turn back the hands of time, you better believe I can
I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand
Oh, I
I can change anything from old to new
The things I want to do the most, I'm unable to do

Unhappy am I with all the powers I possess
'Cause girl you're the key to my happiness
And I

Can't get next to you

Girl, you're blowing my mind 'cause I can't get (next to you)
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get (next to you)
Girl, it's you that I need, I gotta get (next to you)
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get (next to you)
I, I, I, I, I can't get (next to you)




I, I, I, I, I can't get (next to you)
Girl, you're blowing my mind

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' "I Can't Get Next To You" is a song about a man who has all the power in the world but feels unhappy because he can't get to the person he loves. The lyrics go into his abilities to control the forces of nature, turn old things into new, and even fly like a bird in the sky. But the one thing he can’t do is get next to the one he loves, and this makes him feel incomplete and unhappy.


The song draws a contrast between the power the singer has and the emptiness he feels. The lyrics present a character who has the ability to do extraordinary things, everything he desires, except for the most important thing – to be close to his lover. The song is a poignant reminder that even the most powerful people can feel lost and frustrated in love.


In this hit song, The Temptations are showcasing some of their most innovative songwriting and musical experimentation to date. The vocals are raw and powerful, the horn section is electrifying, and the relentless beat gets your heart pumping. The song is a masterpiece of Motown sound and a classic love song still popular today.


Line by Line Meaning

I can turn the gray sky blue
I have the power to change things that seem impossible such as turning the colorless sky blue


I can make it rain, whenever I want it to, oh I
I have the ability to create rain just by my will


I can build a castle from a single grain of sand
I have the power to create something extensive just by small things like a single grain of sand


I can make a ship sail, on dry land tell 'em yeah
I can make things happen that are seemingly impossible like making a ship sail on dry land


But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue
Despite my abilities, my life feels unfulfilled and I am unhappy


'Cause I can't get next to you
The reason for my unhappiness is that I am unable to be close to the person I desire


I can't get next to you, babe (next to you)
I am unable to be close to the one I desire


I can fly like a bird in the sky
I have the power to fly and soar through the sky like a bird


Hey, and I can buy anything that money can't buy
I have so much power that money cannot buy everything I am able to have or do


I can turn a river into a raging fire
I have the power to create a raging fire even from something as calming as a river


I can live forever if I so desired
I have the power of immortality if I choose to have it


Unimportant are all the things I can do
All the amazing things I can do are insignificant because I am unable to be with the person I desire


'Cause I can't get next to you
I am unhappy because I am unable to be close to the person I desire


I can turn back the hands of time, you better believe I can
I have the power to reverse time and make things as they were


I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand
I have the power to change the seasons just by a simple motion of waving my hand


I can change anything from old to new
I can change anything from being old and worn out to new and refreshing


The things I want to do the most, I'm unable to do
Despite my abilities, I am unable to do the most important thing I want to do which is to be close to the one I desire


Unhappy am I with all the powers I possess
Even with all the power I possess, I am still unhappy because I am unable to be close to the person I desire


'Cause girl you're the key to my happiness
The person I desire is the key to my happiness


Girl, you're blowing my mind 'cause I can't get (next to you)
The fact that I am unable to be close to the one I desire is blowing my mind and causing me stress and confusion


Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get (next to you)
I am so upset that I am crying and unable to be close to the one I desire


Girl, it's you that I need, I gotta get (next to you)
I need the person I desire and it is crucial for me to be able to be close to them


I, I, I, I, I can't get (next to you)
I am unable to be close to the one I desire


Girl, you're blowing my mind
The fact that I am unable to be close to the one I desire is causing me extreme stress, angst, and frustration.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

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!

13 More Replies...

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.

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