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.

Just My Imagination
The Temptations Lyrics

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Ooh

Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by
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

Ooh (soon)
Soon we'll be married and raise a family (oh yeah)
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, far too real it all seems

But it was just my imagination, once again
Runnin' away 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, hmm
(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' away with me, oh
Tell you it was just my imagination
Runnin' away with me

I've never met her but I can't forget her
(Just my imagination) Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Runnin' away with me, ooh

Just my imagination
Runnin' away with me

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" is a beautiful and evocative song that tells the story of a man who is infatuated with a woman he has never even met. From his window, he watches her pass by each day, feeling lucky to have a girl like her in his life. As he imagines their future together, with children and a cozy home in the country, he says that it couldn't be a dream because it all feels so real to him. But in the end, he concedes that it was "just his imagination" and that the woman he's been fantasizing about doesn't even know him.

The song's lyrics capture the universal experience of daydreaming and the all-consuming power of imagination, which can help people escape from the mundanity of daily life and provide a sense of hope and possibility. However, the lyrics also speak to the dangers of getting lost in one's own imagination, and how it can lead to a sense of isolation and the realization that the things we imagine may never come true.

The melody and arrangement of the song also contribute to its emotional power, with the lush orchestration and sweet harmonies of The Temptations complementing the bittersweet lyrics. Altogether, "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" is a poignant and beautifully crafted song that speaks to the human experience in a profound way.

Line by Line Meaning

Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by
I see her passing by my window every day

I say to myself, "You're such a lucky guy"
I am lucky to have such a beautiful girl in my sight

To have a girl like her is truly a dream come true
I feel extremely lucky to have found someone like her

Out of all the fellows in the world, she belongs to me
Of all the boys in the world, she has chosen me as her partner

But it was just my imagination
But all of these thoughts and feelings are just my imagination

Runnin' away with me
Overpowering my thoughts and reason

Soon we'll be married and raise a family (oh yeah)
I imagine us getting married and starting a family

A cozy little home out in the country with two children, maybe three
I imagine us living in a pleasant home in the countryside with children

I tell you I can visualize it all
I can envision it all vividly in my mind

This couldn't be a dream, far too real it all seems
It doesn't feel like a dream, it feels too real

Every night on my knees I pray
Every night I pray on my knees

Dear Lord, hear my plea
I ask the Lord to hear and grant my request

Don't ever let another take her love from me
I beg Him to never let anyone take her love away

Or I would surely die, hmm
Otherwise, I would be heartbroken

(Her love is) Heavenly, when her arms enfold me
I feel divine when I'm in her arms

I hear a tender rhapsody
I hear a gentle, romantic melody

But in reality, she doesn't even know me
But the truth is, she doesn't even know I exist

(Just my imagination) Once again
This is just my imagination

Runnin' away with me, oh
Overtaking my thoughts again

Tell you it was just my imagination
I'm telling you, it's all in my mind

I've never met her but I can't forget her
I have never met her, but I cannot forget her

(Just my imagination) Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Once again, it's just my imagination

Runnin' away with me, ooh
Taking over my thoughts

Just my imagination
It's all in my head

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Lyrics:

Oooh

Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by
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 you

But it was just my imagination
Runnin’ away with me
It was just my imagination
Runnin’ away with me

Ooh (Soon)
Soon we’ll be married and raise a family (Oh yeah)
A cozy little home out in the country
With two children, maybe three
I tell you I (I, 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’ away with me
Tell you, it was just my imagination
Runnin’ away with me

Ev’ry night on my knees I pray
Dear Lord, hear my plea
Don’t ever let another take her love from me
Or I will surely die, hmm
(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’ away with me, oh
Tell you it was just my imagination
Runnin’ away with me

I’ve never met her but I can’t forget her
(Just my imagination) Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Runnin’ away with me
Just my imagination
Runnin’ away with me

She’s never hard to find (Just my imagination)
She’s always on my mind (Runnin’ away with me)