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.
Minute By Minute
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been here many times before
Girl, don't you worry, I know where I stand
I don't need this love, I don't need your hand
I know I could turn, blink, and you'd be gone
Then I must be prepared any time to carry on
But minute by minute by minute by minute
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
You will stay just to watch me, darlin'
Wilt away on lies from you
Can't stop the habit of livin' on the run
Take it all for granted like you're the only one
Livin' on my own somehow that sounds nice
You think I'm your fool well, you may just be right
'Cause minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on, I keep holding on, oh
Call my name and I'll be gone
You'll reach out and I won't be there
Just my luck you'll realize
You should spend your life with someone
You could spend your life with someone
Minute by minute by minute by minute
I'll be holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I'll be holding on
Minute by minute by minute by minute
I'll be holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
The Temptations’ song "Minute By Minute" is a melancholy ballad about a man who has been lied to in love before, and even though he doesn’t need it, he keeps holding on. He tells his lover not to worry about him, as he knows where he stands and that he could turn around and she would be gone. However, he declares that he is prepared to carry on if that were to happen, expressing his indifference towards the uncertainties of the relationship. The song paints a picture of a man who is emotionally guarded and afraid of getting hurt, but still clings onto the relationship ‘minute by minute’.
The singer accuses his lover of taking him for granted, and living on the run, as she puts up lies to him. He dreams of living life on his own, free from emotional baggage and being immune to heartbreaks. He warns his lover that he may be her fool, but in reality, she may just be right. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that his lover may eventually leave him, but he is determined to hold on and continue living minute by minute.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, don't worry, I've been lied to
Even though you may lie to me, I'm not bothered, I have been lied to before.
I've been here many times before
This situation is not new to me, in fact, I have faced similar experiences before.
Girl, don't you worry, I know where I stand
You don't have to worry, I am clear about my position or standing in this relationship.
I don't need this love, I don't need your hand
I don't necessarily need your love or support to survive, I can do without them.
I know I could turn, blink, and you'd be gone
It's easy for me to move on from this relationship at any moment because I know you're unreliable.
Then I must be prepared any time to carry on
Regardless of what happens, I must be ready to move on and carry on with my life.
'Cause minute by minute by minute by minute
Everything is happening very slowly, step by step.
I keep holding on
Despite the challenges, I'm still here, holding on.
You will stay just to watch me, darlin'
You may stick around just to see me fail, dear.
Wilt away on lies from you
I will suffer due to the lies you tell me.
Can't stop the habit of livin' on the run
I can't help but keep moving on from one thing to another.
Take it all for granted like you're the only one
You act like everything in this relationship is solely for your benefit and disregard my feelings.
Livin' on my own somehow that sounds nice
I might be better off living on my own because I won't have to deal with your lies and selfishness.
You think I'm your fool well, you may just be right
You have underestimated me, but you might be right, I may be a fool for staying in this relationship.
Call my name and I'll be gone
If you call for me, I won't be there because I might have moved on already.
You'll reach out and I won't be there
In your time of need, I might not be available to provide support because you haven't been dependable either.
Just my luck you'll realize
It's unfortunate that you will only realize how important I am when I'm gone.
You should spend your life with someone
You need to find someone who is more dependable and trustworthy to spend your life with.
Minute by minute by minute by minute
Regardless of how slowly time passes, I'll still be here holding on.
I'll be holding on
I am determined to continue holding on despite the difficulties in this relationship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lester Abrams, Michael Mcdonald
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Davis
The ending sounds like pure black gospel! This rocks!
George Davis
@Experience the song!
Experience
Who's god and rocks what?
Norma J.
Thanks for sharing another Temptations' song Iv'e never heard, still going strong!
Linda Wyche
Love it when Terry say Ummmmmm! This man vocals just knocks me outttttttttttt!
Linda Wyche
Sanggggg Terrry! Darn, that Terry Weeks has got one of the most beautiful and sexy voices on this side of creation (woo, woo)! Love, love, love" his vocals. You rock Terry!!
Henrietta Parks
THAT ENDING IS STRAIGHT UP FIRE!!!!!@@ WOW!!!
Moore In-depth
Dang that 's blasting!
Terry Sanders
This is an old song. Covered bye The Temps. It was a Rock Group from the 60s or early 70s. I forgot the group's name.???????
Henrietta Parks
ITS GOOD!! AND CAN UNDERSTAND EVERY WORD!!! SORRY!! MICHAEL!!!!