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.
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me
The Temptations Lyrics
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I say to myself you're such a lucky guy
To have a girl like her is truly a dream come true
Out of all the fellows in the world she belongs to me
But it was just my imagination
Runnin' away with me
It was just my imagination runnin' away with me
A cozy little home out in the country with two children maybe three
I tell you I can visualize it all
This couldn't be a dream for too real it all seems
But it was just my imagination once again runnin' way with me
Tell you it was just my imagination runnin' away with me
Every night on my knees I pray, dear Lord, hear my plea
Don't ever let another take her love from me or I would surely die
Her love is heavenly, when her arms enfold me
I hear a tender rhapsody, but in reality she doesn't even know me
Just my imagination once again runnin' way with me
Tell you it was just my imagination runnin' away with me
No, no, I can't forget her
Just my imagination once again runnin' way with me
Just my imagination runnin' away with me
The lyrics to The Temptations' song "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" tell the story of a man who is infatuated with a woman he sees every day. He considers himself a lucky guy to have her, but he quickly admits that it's just his imagination running wild. He envisions a life with her, including marriage and children, and he prays to the Lord to never let another person take her love from him. He knows that his love for her is unrequited; she doesn't even know him.
The song encapsulates the notion of unrequited love and the pain it can cause. The singer does not have a relationship with the woman he is enamored with, but he has an imaginary one. He dreams of a future with her, but he knows it is not possible. This creates a sense of longing, desperation, and heartbreak.
The lyrics to "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" reveal the inspiration for the song - Eddie Kendricks' imaginary love affair with a woman he saw in his neighborhood. He created an entire relationship with her in his mind, but he knew that it was just his imagination. The song was released in 1971 and became a hit for The Temptations. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the charts for 15 weeks.
Line by Line Meaning
Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by
Every day, I watch the woman I love walk by my window.
I say to myself you're such a lucky guy
I feel grateful and lucky to have her in my life.
To have a girl like her is truly a dream come true
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be with someone as amazing as her.
Out of all the fellows in the world she belongs to me
I see her as my soulmate and partner in this world.
But it was just my imagination
Despite my feelings of certainty, what I have imagined in my mind may not be the truth.
Runnin' away with me
My imaginative desires are getting the best of me.
Soon we'll be married and raise a family (oh yeah)
I picture us building a life together, getting married and having children in a simple and happy way.
A cozy little home out in the country with two children maybe three
I envision us living in a small, comfortable house in a quiet setting, with a few kids running around.
I tell you I can visualize it all
These dreams feel incredibly real and vivid to me.
This couldn't be a dream for too real it all seems
The life that I have imagined seems too perfect to be a mere dream.
Every night on my knees I pray, dear Lord, hear my plea
Every night I pray to God to ensure that this love will last.
Don't ever let another take her love from me or I would surely die
I fear any loss of her love so much that it feels like it would be devastating.
Her love is heavenly, when her arms enfold me
Being in her embrace feels like being in heaven, and completely fulfilling.
Just my imagination once again runnin' way with me
Despite the strength of my desires, I know they may not come true.
No, no, I can't forget her
I cannot stop thinking about her.
Just my imagination runnin' away with me
I am overwhelmed by my own fantasies and desires.
Just my imagination once again runnin' way with me
I am once again getting lost in my own desires.
Just my imagination runnin' away with me
I am realizing that I may be lost in my own daydreams and fantasies.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CliveSummers02
The part when Paul Williams sings “Every night, on my knees I pray” just gets me every time.
@sallymajer1854
Just the most beautiful song..... how can anyone not like this? So sweet and honest
@trevorjennings720
Hello Sally, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus?
@eleanora-hodge7506
Like just being difficult
@megshimatsu8615
When soulful melodies and choreography melded into one to tell a story.......a great time in musical history.
@trevorjennings720
Hello Meg, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus?
@herb419
A song that gives me goose bumps whenever I hear it. A true masterpiece...
@victorlewis9714
Lol
@samuelblennies9301
100% true.... a masterpiece 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
@tomzadvydas1758
A song about unrequited love ……a certain sweet pain …..