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 Could Never Love Another
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you really telling my goodbye?
See, you've taken away my reason for livin'
And you won't even tell me why
Before you walk out the door
There's something I want you to know
That I could never, ever love another, after loving you
No other love will I share 'cause none could compare
After loving you
It was only yesterday
Your words are still fresh in my mind
Baby, you said
Long as rivers flow
Each day you'd love me more
Now you want to leave me behind
Listen baby, I don't know what it's gonna take to make you stay
I just know I've got to find a way
'Cause I could never, never, never ever love another, after loving you
Oh ho
No other love will I share 'cause none, none could compare
After loving you
So baby, please stay beside me
I need your sweet love to guide me
Oh, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Oh, after loving you
Baby, baby, baby
It was only, only, only, only yesterday
Your words are still fresh in my mind
I remember you said
Long as rivers flow
Each day you'd love me more
Now you want to leave, leave me behind
Listen baby, I don't know what it's gonna take to make you stay
I just know I've got to find a way
'Cause I could never
Never, never, never, ever love another, after loving you
Oh ho
No other love will I share 'cause none, none could compare
After loving you
Oh, baby
On my bended knees
I'm begging you to stay here with me
Oh, oh, baby, baby, baby, baby
I could never, never, never, never love another, after loving you
Oh ho
No other love will I share 'cause none could compare
After loving you
Baby, baby, baby, baby
The lyrics of The Temptations' song, "I Could Never Love Another", tell the story of a man pleading with his lover to stay with him. Unfortunately, she is leaving him without any explanation, and he cannot understand why. He expresses that she is his reason to live and that no other love could compare to the love he has for her. He reminisces about the promises she made to love him more each day, and begs her to stay. He says that he could never love another after loving her. He ends the song on bended knees, begging her to stay with him.
This song portrays the desperation and agony of one-sided love, where one person loves the other deeply, but the other person does not reciprocate the same emotions. It highlights the importance of effective communication in any relationship, as it could prevent misunderstandings and prevent unnecessary heartbreak. The song's lyrics are simple but powerful, eliciting strong emotions from the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, I can't believe my ears
The singer can't believe that the girl is saying goodbye
Are you really telling my goodbye?
The singer is confirming if the girl is really saying goodbye
See, you've taken away my reason for livin'
The girl leaving has left the singer without hope or purpose
And you won't even tell me why
The girl is not giving a reason for leaving
Before you walk out the door
The artist has something to say before the girl leaves
There's something I want you to know
The singer has something important to say
That I could never, ever love another, after loving you
The singer will never be able to love another person after loving the girl
No other love will I share 'cause none could compare
The artist will not share his love with anyone else because no one else can compare to the girl
It was only yesterday
It feels like just yesterday that the girl promised to love the artist forever
Your words are still fresh in my mind
The girl's words are still memorable to the artist
Now you want to leave me behind
The girl is leaving the singer
Listen baby, I don't know what it's gonna take to make you stay
The artist doesn't know how to make the girl stay
I just know I've got to find a way
The singer is determined to find a way to make the girl stay
'Cause I could never, never, never ever love another, after loving you
The singer reiterates that he will never be able to love anyone else after loving the girl
No other love will I share 'cause none, none could compare
The singer will not share his love with anyone else because no one else can compare to the girl
So baby, please stay beside me
The artist pleads for the girl to stay with him
I need your sweet love to guide me
The artist needs the girl's love to keep him strong
On my bended knees
The singer is begging the girl to stay with him
I'm begging you to stay here with me
The singer is pleading for the girl to stay by his side
Oh, baby, baby, baby, baby
The artist expresses his love for the girl
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., SR., BARRETT STRONG, CARL CHRISTIANSEN, HELGA PENZABENE, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD, RODGER PENZABENE, RODGER, SR. PENZABENE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HARVEYSHEL
One of David's best vocals🎶🎶
@billyhodge3224
Even death can't silence this man's voice RIP DAVID
@monilaninetynine3811
You know it👍🏽
@lindahines9380
It never will I'm telling you its gets 💯 percent better with each year that goes
by!
@jerryjones8671
I'm a grown ass man and this song still bring tears to my eyes!! Thanks David Ruffin for being there for me during my teenage years with love and pain!!!
@ronniemack4831
This song really displays Davids voice at his finest, real gritty. The background harmony is kicking ass as well.
@Brickcitygirl
Yep! You know it
@edcpike
Listen to “Its Growing”, he just gets better
@whatshappeningq3301
Sure is and they are magnificent and this is a sad song
@martinsmith6342
I grew up listening to Motown as a kid in the late 80s, early 90s.I was a huge David Ruffin fan! He was my musical idol, was blown away and in awe of his talent!RIP Mr. Ruffin!