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.
Little Green Apples
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my hair down in my eyes and she says "Hi"
And I stumble to the breakfast table
While the kids are goin' off to school goodbye
And she reaches out 'n' takes my hand
And squeezes it 'n' says "How ya feelin', hon'
And I look across at smilin' lips
That warm my heart and see my mornin' sun
And if that's not lovin' me
Then all I've got to say
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And there's no such thing as Doctor Seuss
Or Disneyland, and Mother Goose, no nursery rhyme
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And when my self is feelin' low
I think about her face aglow and ease my mind
Sometimes I call her up at home knowin' she's busy
And ask her if she could get away and meet me
And maybe we could grab a bite to eat
And she drops what she's doin' and she hurries down to meet me
And I'm always late
But she sits waitin' patiently and smiles when she first sees me
'cause she's made that way
And if that ain't lovin' me
Then all I've got to say
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't snow in Minneapolis when the winter comes
And there's no such thing as make-believe
Puppy dogs, autumn leaves 'n' BB guns
God didn't make little green apples
And it don't rain in Indianapolis
The Temptations’ hit “Little Green Apples” is a love song that celebrates the smallest things that make a relationship worthwhile. It talks about the little things that can bring happiness to a person, such as a warm greeting from a loved one, a helping hand, or a patient smile. The song emphasizes the importance of the presence of the person you love, how their existence in your life can make every day worth living, and can ease your troubles.
The chorus, "God didn't make little green apples, and it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime," emphasizes the idea that some things are just impossible, hence the miracles of love that are ever-present in the songwriter's life. The mention of Doctor Seuss, Disneyland and Mother Goose, and nursery rhymes serves as a reminder of the infinite possibilities of imagination and love. Essentially, the song emphasizes the importance of cherishing the small things in a relationship, and not taking them for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wake up in the mornin'
And I start my day in the morning
With my hair down in my eyes and she says "Hi"
With my messy hair covering my eyes, she greets me with a "Hi"
And I stumble to the breakfast table
And I clumsily make my way to the breakfast table
While the kids are goin' off to school goodbye
While the kids wave goodbye and head off to school
And she reaches out 'n' takes my hand
She reaches out and takes my hand
And squeezes it 'n' says "How ya feelin', hon'
She gives my hand a gentle squeeze and asks how I'm feeling
And I look across at smilin' lips
I glance at her lips, which are smiling
That warm my heart and see my mornin' sun
Her smile warms my heart and is like the sun shining in the morning
And if that's not lovin' me
If this isn't love
Then all I've got to say
Then I don't know what love is
God didn't make little green apples
Love is not something that can be explained or rationalized
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
It's impossible to fully understand love, just like it's impossible for it to rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And there's no such thing as Doctor Seuss
Love is not something that can be quantified or measured, just like there's no such thing as Doctor Seuss
Or Disneyland, and Mother Goose, no nursery rhyme
Love is purely emotional and cannot be defined by anything tangible, just like how Disneyland, Mother Goose, and nursery rhymes are fictional
And when my self is feelin' low
And when I'm feeling down and out
I think about her face aglow and ease my mind
I think about her radiant face and it puts my mind at ease
Sometimes I call her up at home knowin' she's busy
Sometimes I call her at home even though I know she's busy
And ask her if she could get away and meet me
And ask if she can take a break and meet me
And maybe we could grab a bite to eat
And maybe we could go out to eat together
And she drops what she's doin' and she hurries down to meet me
She stops what she's doing and rushes to meet me
And I'm always late
I'm always running behind schedule
But she sits waitin' patiently and smiles when she first sees me
But she patiently waits for me and greets me with a smile when I finally arrive
'cause she's made that way
Because that's just who she is
And if that ain't lovin' me
And if that isn't love
Then all I've got to say
Then I don't know what love is
God didn't make little green apples
Love is not something that can be explained or rationalized
And it don't snow in Minneapolis when the winter comes
Just like how it doesn't snow in Minneapolis when winter comes, love cannot be predicted or explained by logic
And there's no such thing as make-believe
Love is not something that can be fabricated or faked
Puppy dogs, autumn leaves 'n' BB guns
Just like how the things listed are tangible and real, love cannot be quantified or measured
God didn't make little green apples
Love is not something that can be explained or rationalized
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
It's impossible to fully understand love, just like it's impossible for it to rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brandonayong5823
David was brilliant but even he couldn't reach Paul's soulful pain
@realhumdinger680
Paul williams nails this ............everything else second class....another tempt sad ending along with ruffin no modern singers will ever come close to them....i rest my case
@realhumdinger680
Paul williams at his best.......know words can say how great he was... taken to soon...........new music got no chances too this.music ...... no mattter how good they think they are
@CliveSummers02
What's interesting is that Paul Williams is the only Temptation heard on this track, nobody else.
@kamscott4201
He killed it 💯🎯
@bassistdc
Paul's voice had a certain something that made him my favorite Temptaton.
@jamilahghafar
This song has now become my favorite Paul Williams of The Temptations song. I love this guy. ❤️❤️❤️
@6milepete888
Paul was the coldest
@robertrichard8207
One of the best
@automatic_systematic
How come Paul never sang the first verse? 🤔