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 Know
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can feel your love fading
Girl it's fading away from me
'Cause your touch,your touch has grown cold
As if someone else controls your very soul
I've fooled myself long as I can
I can feel the presence of another man
It's there when you speak my name
It's just not the same
Oh baby, I'm losing you
It's in the air
It's everywhere.
Oh baby I'm losing you (Losing you)
When I look into your eyes
A reflection of a face I see
I'm hurtin', downhearted and worried girl,
Cause that face doesn't belong to me
It's all over your face
Someone's taken my place
Oh baby, I'm losing you
You try hard to hide
The emptiness inside,
Oh I can tell I'm losing you.
I don't want to lose you
Oh, I can tell when we kiss
From the tenderness I miss
Oh, little girl I'm losing you
Girl I can feel it in my bones
In a day you'll be gone
Oh baby, I'm losing you
Oh my dear
What happened to the love we shared
Oh oh baby I'm losing you
I know it's true
There's someone new
Oh baby baby baby, I'm losing you
The Temptations’ “I Know” expresses the fear of losing a long-term partner to someone new. The song brings to light one of the key aspects of human relationships, the fear of change. The first stanza celebrates the current moment of love and happiness between the partners. However, the focus of the song shifts dramatically in the second stanza, where the singer admits his fear of losing the woman he loves.
He goes on to question her loyalty to their relationship if she finds another man or if his external circumstances change. He asks, “When the chips are down will you still be around?” This implies that the singer’s fear of abandonment is not necessarily based on the woman finding someone else. Rather it is rooted in the insecurity that she may not stay committed through thick and thin. The last stanza portrays an image of a future, old, and gray, whereby the singer wonders whether the woman he loves now will be by his side.
In summary, “I Know” by The Temptations, tackles issues and insecurities that have been a part of human relationships since time immemorial, the fear of change, and the fear of losing someone we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Right now we're sitting on top of the world.
We are currently very happy and successful.
Just me and you, girl.
We are together and happy.
Everything is going our way.
We are lucky and things are going well for us.
But I know there's gonna come a day.
I am aware that our happiness may not last forever.
When you're gonna meet somebody new.
I know you may meet someone else.
And he'll tell that his love is true.
He may claim to love you just as much as I do.
Remember I'm your man, while he's holding your hand.
I want you to remember that I am your partner, even if you hold hands with someone else.
That I love you so and I, I, I gotta know
I love you very much and I need to know some answers.
If his words are sweet and tender will your heart surrender.
If he is charming, will you fall for him?
I gotta know now, yeah, right now.
I need to know the answer now.
If he bought you silks and lace would he soon take my place?
If he gave you gifts, would he replace me?
I gotta know now, yeah, right now.
I need to know the answer now.
I'm not putting our love to the test.
I don't want to challenge our relationship.
But I want to do what's best.
I want to make sure we are doing the right thing.
Either you will or you won't or you do or you don't.
You will either choose me or not.
But I love you so, and I, I gotta know.
I love you and I need to know some answers.
When I'm old and gray, will you love me the same way.
I want to know if you will still love me when we are older.
When the chips are down, will you still be around.
I want to know if you will stick with me during tough times.
No need in carryin' on.
There is no need to continue if our love will not last.
If our love will soon be gone.
If our love will not last.
Will you turn and go when I need you so.
Will you leave me when I need you the most?
Tell me the truth.
Please be honest with me.
Cause I, I, I gotta know.
I need to know these things.
I, I, I gotta know now, right now, right now, right now
I need to know the answers immediately.
I, I, I gotta know now, oh I gotta know now, baby.
I really need to know these answers.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Cornelius Grant, Edward Jr. Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind