The Temptations may refer to at least two groups

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.

If I Don
The Temptations Lyrics

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You ask if I remembered, when we first met.
Girl, tell me how could I ever forget

There, you were standing there.
Aw, with ruby lips and the golden hair.
Your beauty seem to hypnotize me.
I had that feeling I was no longer free.

But when I ask you for a dance. (For a dance)
You wouldn't even give me a chance. (Me a chance)
And it hurt me through and through.
That was the first time I got over you.

You had my heart dingling,
Like a puppet on a string.
To you I meant nothing, darling.
But to me it meant everything.
Girl, you know since then through the years. (Through the years)
I've shed so many tears. (So many tears)
And all because of you, I couldn't cry if I wanted to.

I don't know why I still love you.
'Cause you don't even want me around.
Year after year it's the same o' thing.
You build me up, to let me down.

So go on and hurt me. (Hurt me)
Aw, like you did.
This time it'll be different.
Mmm, my tears you'll see no more.
'Cause I've cried so through the years. (Through the years)
Until I run out of tears. (Run out of tears)
And all because of you, I couldn't cry if I wanted to.

I'll never shed another tear.
I couldn't cry no more, darling.
Seems as though the pain
Have gone the tears from my eyes.
Never cry, never.

Never no more.
I'll never shed another tear.

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' song "I Couldn't Cry If I Wanted To" is a ballad about lost love and heartbreak. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about the first time he saw the woman who would eventually break his heart. He describes her beauty as captivating and the moment as feeling like he was no longer "free." However, despite his attempts to connect with her, she rejects him, causing him immense pain. The rest of the song focuses on the aftermath of their failed love affair, with the singer acknowledging that he still loves this woman even though she doesn't reciprocate his feelings. He ultimately resolves that he will never shed another tear for her, even though the pain of their relationship has left him unable to cry even if he wanted to.

"I Couldn't Cry If I Wanted To" is a quintessential example of the Temptations' classic Motown sound. The vocal harmonies are tight and soulful, and the melody is both catchy and emotionally resonant. The song was written by Miracles member Smokey Robinson, who was one of the most prolific and successful songwriters of the Motown era. The Temptations were one of the label's most popular groups, with a string of hits throughout the 1960s and 70s.

Line by Line Meaning

You ask if I remembered, when we first met.
Asking if I still remember the moment that both of us met.

Girl, tell me how could I ever forget
Of course, I remember that memory so clearly.

There, you were standing there.
You were standing there looking so beautiful.

Aw, with ruby lips and the golden hair.
With ruby lips and golden hair, you were looking gorgeous.

Your beauty seem to hypnotize me.
Your beauty was so mesmerizing that it completely hypnotized me.

I had that feeling I was no longer free.
I sensed that I was no longer free because I fell in love with you.

But when I ask you for a dance. (For a dance)
I asked you for a dance but you refused.

You wouldn't even give me a chance. (Me a chance)
You weren't even willing to give me a chance.

And it hurt me through and through.
It was really painful and hurtful for me.

That was the first time I got over you.
I got over you for the first time during that moment.

You had my heart dingling,
My heart was so strongly attached to you.

Like a puppet on a string.
It was like you were controlling me like a puppet on a string.

To you I meant nothing, darling.
I didn't mean anything to you, my love.

But to me it meant everything.
It meant everything in the world to me.

Girl, you know since then through the years. (Through the years)
Over the years, you know since then.

I've shed so many tears. (So many tears)
I have cried so much because of you.

And all because of you, I couldn't cry if I wanted to.
Now, I can't even cry, even if I want to, all because of you.

I don't know why I still love you.
I don't even know why I still love you.

'Cause you don't even want me around.
Because you don't even want me to be around you.

Year after year it's the same o' thing.
It's the same thing every year.

You build me up, to let me down.
You keep building me up just to let me down.

So go on and hurt me. (Hurt me)
So go ahead and hurt me if you really want to.

This time it'll be different.
But this time it will be different.

Mmm, my tears you'll see no more.
You won't see me crying anymore.

'Cause I've cried so through the years. (Through the years)
Because over the years, I have cried so much.

Until I run out of tears. (Run out of tears)
Until I completely run out of tears to cry.

And all because of you, I couldn't cry if I wanted to.
All of this is because of you, and now I can't even cry even if I want to.

I'll never shed another tear.
I will never cry again.

I couldn't cry no more, darling.
I can't even cry anymore, my love.

Seems as though the pain
It seems like the pain

Have gone the tears from my eyes.
Has taken away my ability to even cry.

Never cry, never.
I will never cry again.

Never no more.
Never again.

I'll never shed another tear.
I will never cry again.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

dj riff

5y↑3

So slept on..I been banging this for years..Richard was very underrated vocalist. He recorded a lot of dope album tracks with the Temptations when he was with them!!

Ujima Jame

5y↑2

Phenomenal lead by the overlooked Richard Street, despite him giving us "Firefly", "Heavenly", "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" on the Tempts Live in Japan. Done as well - especially with the tight harmony - as The Jackson 5's version - despite comments to the contrary. Thanks for posting!

Renard345

4y↑4

This is not the only album we should listen to before our time comes. Here are other albums to also listen to before you pass on, from the Temptations:
Do The Temptations 💿
Back To Basics 💿
Surface Thrills 💿
To Be Continued 💿
Truly For You 💿