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.
My Love Is True
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
oh, oh, oh, oh,
oh, yeah, baby
Whoa, whoa, oh, oh,
Mm
Now I, m the kinda guy who don't believe
That chivalry is dead, no
With the utmost respect, mm, hm
Don't be afraid, don't turn and walk away
I wanna get to know ya, well
Don't be ashamed, don't say that love's to blame
Just come and look me over
(You'll find a heart)
You'll find a heart that you've always been lookin' for
How could anybody ask for much more, woo, ho
Now I like openin' doors
Pickin' up (Yeah) her hanky (Yeah) off the floor
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Light her cigarette if she smokes
Even (Help her with her coat), well
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
In this world of liberation
It's so easy to forget, mmm,
That it's so nice to have a man around
To lend a helping hand, you can bet, bet you can, baby
When I was young, my mama used to say, Boy
A woman's like a flower, with love on her you shower
Ever since that day, her words never went away
I always will remember to treat my baby tender
(You'll find a heart)
You'll find a heart that you've always been lookin' for
How could anybody ask for much more, whoa, oh, oh,
Now I like openin' doors
Pickin' up (Yeah) her hanky (Yeah) off the floor
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Light her cigarette if she smokes
Even (Help her with her coat), oh, whoa
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Compliment her in her hair
Even help her with her chair
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
She's a bad son, of, a, gun
I'm her lovin' Don Juan
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
oh, ho, ho, ho, ho, oh,
Whoa, oh, oh,
Hey, hey,
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, baby
Every day, ever way
Hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
(You'll find a heart)
You'll find a heart that you've always been lookin' for
How could anybody ask for much more, whoa, whoa, oh, oh,
Now I like openin' doors
Pickin' up (Yeah) her hanky (Yeah) off the floor
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Light her cigarette if she smokes
Even (Help her with her coat), help her out
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Compliment her in her hair
Even help her with her chair
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Now boy, you should remember
To be a gentleman
Treat her like a lady
(You better) Treat her like (Well), treat her like (Ho)
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)
Treat her like, treat her like (Hey, hey)
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)
Treat her like (Well), treat her like
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)
Treat her like, treat her like (oh, ho)
Treat her like a lady (Ho, ho, oh, my, my, treat her like a lady)
The Temptations's song My Love Is True is about a man who believes in chivalry and treating a woman with respect. He is the kind of guy who opens doors, picks up her items, lights her cigarette if she smokes, and helps with her coat. He wants to get to know the woman and treat her like a lady. In today's world of liberation, it can be easy to forget that a woman still appreciates a man's chivalry and kindness. The man in the song is following his mother's advice that a woman is like a flower and should be showered with love. He promises to treat his girl tenderly and not forget to be a gentleman. The song emphasizes the message of respecting women and expressing love through small gestures.
Line by Line Meaning
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
Introducing the song with vocal expression
oh, oh, oh, oh,
Vocal expression to increase excitement
oh, yeah, baby
Expressing agreement while also invoking passion
Whoa, whoa, oh, oh,
Vocal expression to denote deep emotion
Mm
Vocal expression to denote thoughtfulness
Now I'm the kinda guy who don't believe
Introducing the singer's character and beliefs about life
That chivalry is dead, no
Rejecting the idea of chivalry being dead in today's world
'Cause I believe a woman should be treated
Sharing a belief about how women should be treated
With the utmost respect, mm, hm
Emphasizing how women should be respected
Don't be afraid, don't turn and walk away
Encouraging someone to not be afraid and stay around
I wanna get to know ya, well
Expressing interest to know more about the person
Don't be ashamed, don't say that love's to blame
Encouraging someone not to feel ashamed or blame love
Just come and look me over
Inviting someone to examine the singer's qualities
(You'll find a heart)
Promising that someone will find a good heart in the singer
You'll find a heart that you've always been lookin' for
Reiterating that someone will find a good heart and not have to look far
How could anybody ask for much more, woo, ho
Asking rhetorically what more one could want when they have found a good heart
Now I like openin' doors
Expressing that the singer likes to politely open doors for others
Pickin' up (Yeah) her hanky (Yeah) off the floor
Expressing that the singer is willing to pick up anything for someone in need
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Emphasizing that women should be treated with respect
Light her cigarette if she smokes
Willingness to do things for the person they care about
Even (Help her with her coat), well
Willingness to go the extra mile and help in any way possible
In this world of liberation
Alluding to the current world and its trends
It's so easy to forget, mmm,
Reminding people of things that are easily forgotten
That it's so nice to have a man around
Expressing that it is comforting to have someone around
To lend a helping hand, you can bet, bet you can, baby
Promising someone's assistance and support
When I was young, my mama used to say, Boy
Sharing a memory of a life lesson taught by the singer's mother
A woman's like a flower, with love on her you shower
Metaphorically comparing a woman to a flower and sharing how to love them
Ever since that day, her words never went away
Stating that the lesson always stuck with the singer
I always will remember to treat my baby tender
Promising to always treat loved ones with tenderness and care
(You'll find a heart)
Reiterating that someone will find a good heart in the singer
You'll find a heart that you've always been lookin' for
Stressing that someone will find a good heart and not have to look far
How could anybody ask for much more, whoa, oh, oh,
Asking rhetorically what more one could want when they have found a good heart
Compliment her in her hair
Expressing the importance of complimenting someone's appearance
Even help her with her chair
Expressing the importance of assisting someone with anything needed
She's a bad son, of, a, gun
Expressing how impressed the singer is with the person
I'm her lovin' Don Juan
Emphasizing that the singer will continue to express love and affection
Treat her like a lady
Reiterating that women should be treated with respect
oh, ho, ho, ho, ho, oh,
Vocal expression to increase excitement
Whoa, oh, oh,
Vocal expression to denote deep emotion
Hey, hey,
Vocal expression to gain attention
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, baby
Vocal expression to denote deep emotion and affection
Every day, every way
Stressing consistency in behavior and actions
Hey, hey
Vocal expression to gain attention
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Vocal expression to make the song more interesting and upbeat
(You'll find a heart)
Promising that someone will find a good heart in the singer
You'll find a heart that you've always been lookin' for
Stressing that someone will find a good heart and not have to look far
How could anybody ask for much more, whoa, whoa, oh, oh,
Asking rhetorically what more one could want when they have found a good heart
Now I like openin' doors
Expressing that the singer likes to politely open doors for others
Pickin' up (Yeah) her hanky (Yeah) off the floor
Expressing that the singer is willing to pick up anything for someone in need
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Emphasizing that women should be treated with respect
Light her cigarette if she smokes
Willingness to do things for the person they care about
Even (Help her with her coat), help her out
Willingness to go the extra mile and help in any way possible
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Reiterating the importance of treating women with respect
Compliment her in her hair
Stressing the importance of complimenting someone's appearance
Even help her with her chair
Stressing the importance of assisting someone with anything needed
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like lady)
Emphasizing that women should be respected and cared for
Now boy, you should remember
Giving advice to the listener
To be a gentleman
Encouraging the listener to be a gentleman and treat women with respect
Treat her like a lady
Emphasizing that women should be respected and cared for
(You better) Treat her like (Well), treat her like (Ho)
Urging the listener to treat women with respect
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)
Reiterating the importance of treating women with respect
Treat her like, treat her like (Hey, hey)
Emphasizing the importance of treating women respectfully
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)
Reiterating the importance of treating women with respect
Treat her like (Well), treat her like
Emphasizing that women should be respected and cared for
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)
Reiterating that women deserve respect and care
Treat her like, treat her like (oh, ho)
Emphasizing the importance of treating women respectfully
Treat her like a lady (Ho, ho, oh, my, my, treat her like a lady)
Ending the song with an emphatic call to treat women with respect and care
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OTIS C WILLIAMS, RONALD TYSON, VICTOR CARSTARPHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind