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 Need You
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lonely man am I
Ever since you said goodbye
Girl I know that I should have woke up
'Cause it seems now that we broke up
Your farewell kiss is haunting me
My two lips cry out constantly
Forget about your foolish pride
Starting tomorrow I keep telling myself
I'm gonna get out and find somebody else
Somebody that's sweet and kind
Who will erase you out of my mind
But tell me how can I find somebody new baby
When my two arms keep reaching out for you
And my two lips keep right on repeating
It's you that I need
Oh
You know that even when I close my eyes to forget you
I see your face and your memories too
Girl I've never felt this loneliness before
And oh girl I just can't take it no more
Every night a million tears I shed
Girl every morning going out of my head
Just take a good look and you'll see
What this loneliness is doing to me
(It's you that I need) oh ho
(Don't you know that it you that I need) oh I can't take this loneliness
(You that I need) oh baby I need you
(You that I need) oh
So a fool I'm gonna be no more
'Cause I'll soon be knocking knocking on your door
Gonna get down on my bended knees
Beggin' please girl come back to me
It's you that I need
Girl it's you that I need
Girl take a good look and you'll see
What this loneliness is doing to me
The Temptations' song It's You That I Need is a love song that describes the feelings of a man who cannot move on from his lover. The opening verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer stating that he is a "lonely man" ever since his lover left him. He regrets not realizing what he had with her and has been haunted by her farewell kiss ever since. Despite telling himself that he will find someone else and move on, he cannot resist the urge to reach out to her.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need to let go of pride and follow one's heart. The singer tries to convince himself to forget his ex by finding someone new. However, he soon realizes that he cannot replace her, as his arms keep reaching out for her and his lips keep saying that it's her that he needs. The second verse delves deeper into the singer's emotions, describing the depths of his loneliness and his inability to forget his ex. He sheds a million tears every night and cannot escape the memories of her.
Ultimately, the singer realizes that he cannot be a fool anymore and decides to go back to his ex-lover. He is willing to beg and get down on his knees to make her come back to him. The song ends on the poignant note, repeating the sentiment that it's her that he needs and asking her to take a good look at what loneliness is doing to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh ho
An expression of deep emotion and a hesitant voice tone used to emphasize the upcoming lyrics.
Lonely man am I
I feel lonely since you've left me.
Ever since you said goodbye
My loneliness began when you left.
Girl I know that I should have woke up
I realize now that I should have paid attention to our relationship.
'Cause it seems now that we broke up
Our break up appears to have been a wrong decision.
Your farewell kiss is haunting me
The farewell kiss keeps on tormenting me.
My two lips cry out constantly
I keep on weeping constantly.
Let your heart, let your heart be your guide
Take counsel from your heart and follow its lead.
Forget about your foolish pride
Discard your foolish ego.
Starting tomorrow I keep telling myself
I console myself with the thought of starting afresh tomorrow.
I'm gonna get out and find somebody else
I will go out and meet new people to get over you.
Somebody that's sweet and kind
I need a sweet and kind person in my life.
Who will erase you out of my mind
I need someone who can help me forget you.
But tell me how can I find somebody new baby
I wonder how it's possible to find someone after being so used to you.
When my two arms keep reaching out for you
I still desire you and can't resist holding you.
And my two lips keep right on repeating
I can't help but confess that I still need you.
It's you that I need
You are the one person I truly desire.
Oh
An expression of deep emotion and a hesitant voice tone used to emphasize the upcoming lyrics.
You know that even when I close my eyes to forget you
I try to forget you by closing my eyes, but I can't.
I see your face and your memories too
Your face and memories are ingrained in my mind.
Girl I've never felt this loneliness before
I've never been this lonely before.
And oh girl I just can't take it no more
I'm exhausted and can't endure it anymore.
Every night a million tears I shed
I cry every night with sorrow and loneliness.
Girl every morning going out of my head
Every morning, I go crazy thinking about you.
Just take a good look and you'll see
If you only look, you'll perceive.
What this loneliness is doing to me
You'll see how much loneliness affects me.
(It's you that I need) oh ho
Expressing how strongly I need you.
(Don't you know that it you that I need) oh I can't take this loneliness
Asserting my need for you and my inability to endure the loneliness.
(You that I need) oh baby I need you
Explicitly stating my need for you.
(You that I need) oh
Expressing how strongly I need you.
So a fool I'm gonna be no more
I vow to be less foolish.
'Cause I'll soon be knocking knocking on your door
I'm going to come to your door and knock soon.
Gonna get down on my bended knees
I'll humble myself to win you back.
Beggin' please girl come back to me
Pleading for you to return to me.
It's you that I need
You are the one person I truly desire.
Girl it's you that I need
You are the one person I truly desire.
Girl take a good look and you'll see
Look at me closely and you'll understand.
What this loneliness is doing to me
The effect that loneliness has on me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind