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.

May I Have This Dance
The Temptations Lyrics

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May I have this dance
I've been waitin' for this chance
All night long (all night long)
And this night I'll always treasure
If I could have the pleasure
To escort you

Don't you know I've bit my nails in to

Wantin' to dance with you
But I was much too shy
I never had the nerve
Before you'd dance across the floor with another guy
The way he held you in his arms
With his many charms
I knew my chances were slim
In order to get to you
There's only one thing to do
So I got rid of him

Hey
Ooh hoo I told him that a girl
By the name of pearl
Was looking for him
And when I turned around
He was nowhere to be found

So here I am
Oh I gotta have this dance (gotta have this dance with you)
Honey I (gotta have this dance with you)
Honey I, honey I, honey I, have this dance
Honey I (gotta have this dance with you)

Gotta have this dance
Oh

Overall Meaning

In The Temptations' song “May I Have This Dance,” the lead singer expresses his desire to dance with a woman whom he has been eyeing all night. The song opens with the lead singer saying he has been waiting for the opportunity to ask her to dance all night long, and if given the chance, he would cherish the moment forever. He admits to being shy and not having the nerve to ask her earlier because he saw her dancing with another guy. He describes the guy as having many charms and knew his chances were slim. To get to her, he had to come up with a plan and tells the guy that a girl named Pearl was looking for him, and he takes off. Now without a competitor, he has the opportunity to invite her to dance.

The lyrics reveal a sense of longing and vulnerability as the lead singer confesses his feelings to the woman he admires. He has admirably waited for his chance to ask for a dance and finally gets the opportunity to make his move. He takes the chance he has been waiting for and makes the most of it to get the dance he desires. The song's melody is upbeat, with a catchy tune that makes it easy to dance along, mirroring the excitement of finally getting to dance with someone you have been admiring from afar.

Line by Line Meaning

May I have this dance
Asking for permission to dance with someone

I've been waitin' for this chance
Expressing anticipation for the opportunity to dance with this person

All night long (all night long)
Indicating the desire to dance with the person throughout the entire evening

And this night I'll always treasure
Expressing the importance and significance of this particular moment

If I could have the pleasure
Asking for the honor of dancing with this person

To escort you
Offering to accompany the person in dancing

Don't you know I've bit my nails in to
Expressing nervousness and anticipation about dancing with this person

Wantin' to dance with you
Reiterating the desire to dance with the person

But I was much too shy
Admitting that shyness has been a barrier to approaching the person earlier

I never had the nerve
Acknowledging a lack of courage or confidence earlier in the night

Before you'd dance across the floor with another guy
Expressing disappointment or regret that the person has danced with someone else earlier in the evening

May I Have This DanceThe Temptations Lyrics

May I Have This Dance
The Temptations Lyrics