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.
Oh Mother Of Mine
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh mother of mine
I've, I've been blind
The things that you tell me, yeah
Oh please, oh please forgive me
Yes, I know I was wrong
But now, now I know, yeah
My place, my place is at home
Can't you see I've been crying now
Almost dying
I need your advice mama, yeah
Oh, mama
Oh, mama
Oh, mama
Come and tell me now
How much about love, you don't understand?
Yes, you know that you were wrong
Or when you thought that you were wrong
Yes, it was that young girl
She put you in such a whirl
Yeah, I said, "Mama, don't you worry now, yeah"
I guess I had it coming anyhow, yes I did
I'm gonna do everything you say
Hmm, each and every day
I'm gonna be a man, yes, I am
Now that I understand
Hmm, I'm not gonna be no fool no more
Yeah because you told me so
Whoa mama
Oh, mother
Oh, mother
Come on and tell me now
Oh tell me now
Hmm, I'm sorry
Yes I am, I am really sorry
Oh, I should have think of you, yeah
Yes, I should have because you know what to say
The Temptations' song Oh Mother of Mine is an emotional plea from a son to his mother, asking for her forgiveness and guidance. The son admits to being initially blind to his mother's advice, but now realizes his place is at home with his family. The son acknowledges his mistakes and how he needs his mother's advice to guide him through life because he does not understand all that there is to know about love. He also admits his wrongdoings and asks for his mother's forgiveness. The song ultimately ends with the son promising to follow his mother's guidance and not be a fool anymore.
Overall, the song is a beautiful testament to the bond between a mother and son, and how a mother's love and guidance can shape a child's life. The lyrics also speak to the importance of family and being there for each other, even when mistakes are made.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, mother
Addressing the singer's mother
Oh mother of mine
Acknowledging the importance of the singer's mother
I've, I've been blind
Admitting to not listening to the mother's advice
The things that you tell me, yeah
Referring to the mother's advice
I paid, I really paid it no mind
Ignoring the mother's advice
Oh please, oh please forgive me
Apologizing to the mother for not listening
Yes, I know I was wrong
Acknowledging one's mistake
But now, now I know, yeah
Realizing the error of one's ways
My place, my place is at home
Recognizing the importance of family and home
Can't you see I've been crying now
Expressing emotion and sadness
Almost dying
Exaggerating the intensity of emotions
I need your advice mama, yeah
Asking for the mother's guidance
Come and tell me now
Requesting immediate assistance
How much about love, you don't understand?
Challenging the mother's knowledge of love
Yes, you know that you were wrong
Admitting that the mother has made mistakes before
Or when you thought that you were wrong
Acknowledging that the mother may have doubted herself
Yes, it was that young girl
Blaming a girl for the singer's mistake
She put you in such a whirl
Describing the impact of the girl's actions
Yeah, I said, "Mama, don't you worry now, yeah"
Seeking to reassure the mother
I guess I had it coming anyhow, yes I did
Taking responsibility for one's actions
I'm gonna do everything you say
Committing to following the mother's advice
Hmm, each and every day
Promising to make it a consistent habit
I'm gonna be a man, yes, I am
Asserting one's desire to mature and take responsibility
Now that I understand
Realizing the importance of listening to the mother
Hmm, I'm not gonna be no fool no more
Vowing to not make the same mistake again
Yeah because you told me so
Acknowledging the wisdom of the mother's advice
Whoa mama
Expressing gratitude and respect towards the mother
Come on and tell me now
Urging the mother to continue giving advice
Oh tell me now
Impatiently asking for advice
Hmm, I'm sorry
Apologizing again for not listening
Yes I am, I am really sorry
Emphasizing the sincerity of the apology
Oh, I should have think of you, yeah
Reflecting on the importance of considering the mother's advice
Yes, I should have because you know what to say
Acknowledging the mother's experience and knowledge
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OTIS C WILLIAMS, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hannahcooper3535
Oh, mother
Oh mother of mine
I've, I've been blind
The things that you tell me, yeah
I paid, I really paid it no mind
Oh please, oh please forgive me
Yes, I know I was wrong
But now, now I know, yeah
My place, my place is at home
Can't you see I've been crying now
Almost dying
I need your advice mama, yeah
Oh, mama
Oh, mama
Oh, mama
Come and tell me now
How much about love, you don't understand?
Yes, you know that you were wrong
Or when you thought that you were wrong
Yes, it was that young girl
She put you in such a whirl
Yeah, I said, "Mama, don't you worry now, yeah"
I guess I had it coming anyhow, yes I did
I'm gonna do everything you say
Hmm, each and every day
I'm gonna be a man, yes, I am
Now that I understand
Hmm, I'm not gonna be no fool no more
Yeah because you told me so
Whoa mama
Oh, mother
Oh, mother
Come on and tell me now
Oh tell me now
Hmm, I'm sorry
Yes I am, I am really sorry
Oh, I should have think of you, yeah
Yes, I should have because you know what to say
@poohbearsally3530
Oh, mother
Oh mother of mine, I've I've been blind.
The things that you tell me, yeah, I paid, I really
Paid it no mind.
Oh please, oh please forgive me, yes, I know I was wrong.
But now, now I know, yeah, my place, my place is at home.
Can't you see I've been crying now (Oh yes he's been crying)
Almost dying(Uh-huh, almost dying)
I need your advice mama, yeah (He needs your advice)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
come on and tell me now
How much about love, you don't understand?
Yes, you know that you wrong.
Or when you thought you were wrong.
Yes, it was that young girl.
She put you in such a whirl.
Yeah, I said mama don't you worry now, yeah
I guess i had it coming to me anyhow, yes I did.
I am gonna do everything you say,
Hm, each and every day
I'm gonna be man. (Oh yes he's gonna be a man
Yes, I am. Now that I understand. (Now he understands)
Hm, I'm not gonna be no fool no more (He's not fool no more).
Yeah because you told me so. (Like, like he was before)
Whoa mama (Pleases mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Come and tell me now.
Oh tell me now.
Hm, I'm sorry.
Yes, I am really sorry.
Oh, I should have think of you, yeah.
Yes I should have because you no what to say.
@mariahwilliams8391
I am the great grand child of Paul williams and given I know how much my grandmother loves her father ( Sarita Williams) I often come an see where it all started ... so many great compliments about PAUL WILLIAMS OF THE TEMPS .. made my heart joyous because our family is really talented! Years and years down the line โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ
@brandonaykes9943
Woooow
@chuckiejacksonjr.2981
My favorite song, I love his voice and everything else about Mr. Paul Williams. Rest his soul โค๏ธ๐น
@chole6136
That so cool...I love to hear "Paul singing foe once in my life"
@moore123ryan
Are you really? I would really like to talk to you maybe
@brandonayong5823
If that's true that's legendary that you're on YouTube
@tonybrittingham237
Damn the actor who played Paul sounds just like the real Paul! R.I.P. to the fallen singing angels of the Tempts and congratulations to the surviving member Otis for keeping the name alive. #Temptations4Ever
@jimmieperryman1032
"no way"
@newengland66
Old school music is the BEST and will never die!!!
@tone200988
I agree hun