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 Heard It Through the Grapevine
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About your plans to make me blue
With some other guy, you knew before
Between the two of us guys
It took me by surprise, I must say
When I found out yesterday
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
I heard it through the grapevine
An' I'm just about to lose my mind
I know a man ain't supposed to cry
But these tears, I can't hold inside
Losin' you would end my life, you see
'Cause you mean that much to me
You could have told me yourself
That you loved someone else
Instead, I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
I heard it through the grapevine
An' I'm just about to lose my mind
People say believe half of what you see
An' none of what you hear
I just can't help bein' confused
If it is true, please tell me, dear
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?
Don't you know I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
This song, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and performed by The Temptations, is a tale of heartbreak and betrayal. The singer suspects that his lover is planning to leave him for another man, and the news comes as a complete shock to him. He pleads with her to be honest with him about her intentions and not to leave him, as she means everything to him. The song is full of raw emotion, from the singer's disbelief and hurt to his anger and confusion. The repetition of the phrase "I heard it through the grapevine" emphasizes the sense of betrayal and the indirect way in which the singer has learned of his lover's plans.
The use of the metaphor of the grapevine is interesting, as it suggests a kind of secret network of communication that exists outside of official channels. The grapevine is a powerful symbol of rumor and gossip, and the fact that the singer has heard this news through it suggests that it is not something that was meant for him to know. The line "people say believe half of what you see and none of what you hear" further emphasizes the idea that the singer cannot be certain of the truth of what he has been told. This creates a sense of tension and uncertainty throughout the song that is only resolved when the singer confronts his lover directly.
Line by Line Meaning
I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
You might be curious how I found out
About your plans to make me blue
I heard about your intention to make me sad
With some other guy, you knew before
You had another person in mind whom you knew previously
Between the two of us guys
Out of the two of us males
You know I love you more
I care for you deeply and more than the other guy
It took me by surprise, I must say
Hearing the news was unexpected and shocking
When I found out yesterday
I got to know about it the day before
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard a rumor
Not much longer would you be mine
Our relationship was close to ending
An' I'm just about to lose my mind
I am on the verge of losing my sanity
I know a man ain't supposed to cry
Men are not expected to shed tears
But these tears, I can't hold inside
But I can't keep my emotions in check and tears flow out
Losin' you would end my life, you see
If I lose you, my life would come to an end
'Cause you mean that much to me
You are that important to me
You could have told me yourself
You should have informed me on your own
That you loved someone else
About you being in love with someone else
Instead, I heard it through the grapevine
Instead, I came across the rumor
People say believe half of what you see
People suggest trusting only half of what you see
An' none of what you hear
And none of what you hear
I just can't help bein' confused
I can't prevent myself from being perplexed
If it is true, please tell me, dear
If it's correct, please let me know, darling
Do you plan to let me go
Are you thinking of ending our relationship
For the other guy you loved before?
For the person you cared for earlier?
Don't you know I heard it through the grapevine
Don't you realize I learned about it through the grapevine?
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard it through the grapevine
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Velez
The Temptations can sing gospel or opera and still sound sensational! The greatest singing group of all time!
King Heff
YESSSSSSSSSS!
Sean Sherrod
The best part of this particular version is the breakdown at 1:52 sung by Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and the greatest bass singer in the history of soul music Melvin Franklin.
D Rollins
Otis Williams? You mean Dennis, don't you?
Debra Stevenson
Lovin' Eddie at 1:52... I always really loved that part !!!
More Time Needed
Classic Norman Whitfield production. The man was a genius.
AJ. McGowan
Their are several great versions of this song and I love them for different reasons. This version I love for the vocals, harmonies and the adlib. Such a shame it did not receive the proper recognition it deserved. In my opinion It was one of, it not, the best cut on the album...
James Robinson
What a beautiful blend of voices... harmony is impeccable..
Diddles Falk
The absolute best-nothing like it in 2020 etc. can absolutely compare - no video/tricks/dancing- just the best.
olesolja
Another one of my favorites with James Jamerson on that bass. I love the way he play different lines btw the Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, and this one.