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.
Papa Was a Rolling Stone
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
I never got a chance to see him, never heard nothin' but bad things about him
Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
Mama just looked at him and said, "Son
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
And Mama, they talk all around town say that
Papa had three outside children and another wife
And that ain't right
Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin'
Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death
And stealin' in the name of the Lord
Mama just hung her head and said
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades
Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
Folks say Papa would beg, borrow or steal to pay his bills
Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'
Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
Mama just hung her head and said, "son
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his head was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
The Temptations' hit song "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is a poignant tale about a wayward father who left a trail of broken hearts and shattered dreams in his wake. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, with the singer reminiscing about the third of September, the day his father passed away, and the bitter truth of never knowing or understanding who his father really was. The singer turns to his mother, hoping to gain some answers, but all she can say is that his father was a "rollin' stone," a man who had no fixed abode and left his family to fend for themselves.
The chorus of the song repeats the same haunting refrain that "papa was a rollin' stone, wherever he laid his head was his home, and when he died, all he left us was alone." The song suggests that Papa had a troubled past, and the rumors about him were whispered throughout the town. The verse about the "storefront preachin'" reveals a side of Papa that was perhaps well-intentioned, but misguided, as he tries to save souls while dealing in death and stealing in the name of the Lord. The final verse about being a jack of all trades and the struggles to pay his bills further solidify the image of a father who wasn't quite successful in life, leaving his children to bear the brunt of his mistakes.
Overall, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is a thoughtful and melancholic portrayal of a father who was lost to his family long before he physically left them. It captures the pain and uncertainty that comes with losing someone you never truly knew.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the third of September, that day I'll always remember
The day my dad died is etched in my mind forever and always.
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
My father passed away that day.
I never got a chance to see him, never heard nothin' but bad things about him
I never met him but have only heard negative things about him.
Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
I'm relying on my mother to give me honest information.
Mama just looked at him and said, "Son
My mother glanced at me and responded,
Papa was a rollin' stone
My father was a wanderer who didn't stay in one place for long.
Wherever he laid his head was his home
He didn't have a permanent residence and would sleep anywhere.
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
When he passed, he left us with no emotional support.
Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
Mom, there's a rumor that Dad was jobless his entire life, is it true?
And Mama, they talk all around town say that
Mom, people are gossiping about
Papa had three outside children and another wife
how Dad had illegitimate children and was unfaithful to you.
And that ain't right
It's not fair to you.
Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin'
I overheard people discussing how Dad would preach in the streets.
Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death
They said he talked about saving people's souls but ultimately acted against his own message by leading a sinful life.
And stealin' in the name of the Lord
Additionally, they accused him of stealing in the name of religion.
Mama just hung her head and said
My mother simply looked down and replied,
Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades
Mom, I remember Dad referring to himself as a handyman.
Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
Do you think that lifestyle contributed to Dad's early death?
Folks say Papa would beg, borrow or steal to pay his bills
People believe Dad would do anything to make ends meet, even if it were unethical.
Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'
Mom, people are saying that Dad wasn't exactly a deep thinker.
Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
He reportedly spent most of his time pursuing women and drinking.
Mama just hung her head and said, "son
My mother lowered her head and told me,
Papa was a rollin' stone
My father was always on the move and never settled in one place.
Wherever he laid his head was his home
He didn't have a permanent home, but wherever he slept felt like home to him.
And when he died, all he left us was alone"
When he passed, he left us emotionally isolated and disconnected.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@drwdo
My grandfather is/was one of the violins in the intro. He’s on several Motown tracks and played 46 years in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He died in May, and when we miss him we listen to music. ❤️ 😭
@msl5253
Hey Drwdbo
Beautiful story and sorry for your loss with your grand father.
@elenaarman-tang7811
R.I.P. to your very talented grandfather 🙏😘❤
@alfredszabo1817
God bless him 🙏 ❤️
@alfredszabo1817
My grandpa had to play on Russian guitar 🎸, he had no choice on his faith!
@naumnaumoski3816
God bless him
@walter9724
The intro itself could be used in any 1970s movie car chase scene. I'm 46 and I was raised on this music. And I'm a white Australian
@hendrikdebruin4012
I am a white African and I agree mate.
@potterj09
41 here. My dad knew a lot about film and The Blues Brothers was always a cool film we shared. I play guitar now because of it.
@user-qg5xo6wu1e
That baseline. The horns. The strings. Back when every section had to be recorded separately. This is amazing.