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.
Paradise
The Temptations Lyrics
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When wisdom fails, it changes all
The wheel embodies all that keeps on turning
Blood red skies, I feel so cold
No innocence, we play our roll
The wheel embodies all
Where are we going?
All in all
You expect the wise to be wiser
Fallen from grace and
All and all I guess we should have known better
'Cause
What about us
Isn't it enough
No we're not in paradise
This is who we are
This is what we've got
No it's not our paradise
But it's all we want
And it's all that we're fighting for
Though it's not paradise
You and us, or I and them
There comes a time to take a stand
The wheel is watching all it keeps on burning
The venom works, it's like a curse
A trojan horse, when will we learn?
The wheel embodies all that keeps returning
All in all
You expect the wise to be wiser
Fallen from grace and
All and all I guess we should have known better
'Cause
What about us
Isn't it enough
No we're not in paradise
This is who we are
This is what we've got
No it's not our paradise
But it's all we want
And it's all that we're fighting for
Though it's not paradise
What about us
Isn't it enough
No we're not in paradise
This is who we are
This is what we've got
No it's not our paradise
But it's all we want
And it's all that we're fighting for
What about us
Isn't it enough
No we're not in paradise
This is who we are
This is what we've got
No it's not our paradise
But it's all we want
And it's all that we're fighting for
But it's not paradise
What about us
What about us
What about us
Isn't it enough
What about us
What about us
What about us
Isn't it enough
What about us
What about us
What about us
Isn't it enough
What about us
What about us
What about us
Isn't it enough
The Temptations' "Paradise" is a song about the human struggle to find contentment and satisfaction in a world that is often marked by chaos and injustice. The lyrics suggest that although people may yearn for a perfect world, they must come to terms with the reality that such a world does not exist. The opening lines, "There's no sense, the fire burns / When wisdom fails, it changes all / The wheel embodies all that keeps on turning," set the tone for the rest of the song, conveying a sense of confusion and futility in the face of life's challenges. The repeated line, "The wheel embodies all that keeps on turning," speaks to the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change.
The song touches on several themes, including the betrayal of innocence, the consequences of one's actions, and the importance of standing up for oneself. The lines, "Blood red skies, I feel so cold / No innocence, we play our role," suggest a world in which corruption and greed have stripped away the innocence of youth, leaving behind a sense of bleakness and despair. The chorus, "What about us / Isn't it enough / No we're not in paradise / This is who we are / This is what we've got / No it's not our paradise / But it's all we want / And it's all that we're fighting for / Though it's not paradise," reflects the idea that while people may not have everything they want, they still want to fight to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no sense, the fire burns
There is no meaning, the passion is fading
When wisdom fails, it changes all
When knowledge ceases to guide us, everything becomes uncertain
The wheel embodies all that keeps on turning
The cycle of life continues, with or without us
Blood red skies, I feel so cold
The world is a harsh and unwelcoming place
No innocence, we play our roll
We are all tainted by our experiences and actions
The wheel embodies all
The course of destiny affects us all
Where are we going?
What is our ultimate destination?
All in all
When everything is considered
You expect the wise to be wiser
Those with the most knowledge should make the best choices
Fallen from grace and
We have lost our way and our moral compass
All and all I guess we should have known better
Considering everything, we should have made better decisions
'Cause
Because
What about us
What is our fate?
Isn't it enough
Shouldn't we be content?
No we're not in paradise
Our current situation is less than ideal
This is who we are
We must accept our flaws and limitations
This is what we've got
We must make the best of what we have
But it's all we want
This is our deepest desire
And it's all that we're fighting for
This is what we are striving to achieve
Though it's not paradise
Even though it may fall short of perfection
You and us, or I and them
We are all connected, one way or another
There comes a time to take a stand
We must choose where we stand in the face of our challenges
The wheel is watching all it keeps on burning
The universe is observing and guiding us through our journey
The venom works, it's like a curse
The poison of our hatred and negativity has lasting effects
A trojan horse, when will we learn?
Our enemies can deceive us, and we must be vigilant and learn from our mistakes
The wheel embodies all that keeps returning
The cycle of history repeats, with similar patterns of conflict and strife
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, SPIERENBURG MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: MARTIJN SPIERENBURG, SHARON DEN ADEL, ROBERT WESTERHOLT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind