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.
Power
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Power, boom boom boom
Power, boom boom
Power, boom boom boom
Power, boom boom
Power boom boom boom
Power boom boom
Power boom boom boom
Power boom boom boom
Power boom boom
Power boom boom boom
Power boom boom
Power boom boom boom
Power boom boom
Power boom boom boom
Power boom boom
Power boom boom boom
My hands are clean
My heart is so pure
The world is sick
I am the cure
I don't want no money, gold or gifts
Give me your minds and souls to lift
Put you faith and trust in me
I'll move your mountains
Part your sea
All you poor all you needy
All you're doin' is givin' to the greedy
All you poor all you needy
All you're doin' is givin' to the greedy
Get off your knees, believe in me
I'll set you free
All I need's a little more power (must have it)
Power, power, power, power, power, power
I have for you a master plan
To lead you to the promised land
I give you peace, I give you pride
I save you from mass suicide
I'm your hope, your one salvation
I'm your one man United Nation
All you poor all you needy
All you're doin' is givin' to the greedy
All you poor all you needy
All you're doin' is givin' to the greedy
Tell me your sins, I'll be your friend
I won't do you in
All I need's a little more power
Power, power, power, power, power
Power, power, power, power
Power, power, power, power
I'll make you all the master race
Just put me in my godly place
We'll march the world down in defeat
Take the fields of oil and the lands of wheat
Power, more, power I want it
Power, more, power
One thing I must make perfectly clear
Nuclear weapons, all men fear
Their hands sweat, their fingers itch
I'm the only one you can trust with the switch
Give it to me, power
Give it to me, more
Give it to me, more
I need it, got to have it, I must have it
More, give it to me
More, give it to me
More
More
More
More
The Temptations' song "Power" is a political commentary on the dangers of ego and authoritarianism. The repetitive chorus of "power boom boom" represents the desire for more power and how it can become addictive, shown in the lyrics "I need it, got to have it, I must have it, more." The verses are sung from the perspective of a charismatic leader, who claims to have a master plan and offers salvation to his followers. He promises to move mountains and part the sea, taking advantage of the poor and needy who are "givin' to the greedy."
The leader asserts that he is the only one who can be trusted with nuclear weapons, which creates a sense of fear and intimidation towards him. The lyrics "I'll make you all the master race, just put me in my godly place" are a clear reference to Adolf Hitler and his concept of Aryan supremacy. The leader's narcissistic personality and craving for power are depicted as dangerous, as he wants to take over the world and conquer the resources of other nations.
Overall, the song warns against the dangers of blindly following a charismatic leader with no regard for democracy or human rights. It highlights the importance of being cautious of leaders with a desire for absolute power, and standing up against those who use fear and manipulation to control others.
Line by Line Meaning
Power, boom boom
The desire for power is like a drum beating
My hands are clean
I'm untainted and pure
My heart is so pure
I have good intentions with my actions
The world is sick
The current world is in need of help
I am the cure
I am the solution to cure the world's problems
I don't want no money, gold or gifts
I am not motivated by material things
Give me your minds and souls to lift
I want people to trust me and commit to me
Put your faith and trust in me
I want people to believe in me
I'll move your mountains
I can help people solve seemingly impossible challenges
Part your sea
I can do the impossible and lead people through challenges
All you poor all you needy
I care for those who are struggling and in need
All you're doin' is givin' to the greedy
Don't waste your resources on selfish and greedy people
Get off your knees, believe in me
Stop being helpless and believe that I can help you
I'll set you free
I can free people from their problems
All I need's a little more power (must have it)
I want more power to solve bigger problems
I have for you a master plan
I have a complete plan to solve the world's problems
To lead you to the promised land
I can guide you to a future where problems are solved
I give you peace, I give you pride
I can give people positive emotions and feelings
I save you from mass suicide
I can help prevent people from harming themselves or others
I'm your hope, your one salvation
I am the only solution to the world's problems
I'm your one man United Nation
I can lead the world without the need for a United Nations
Tell me your sins, I'll be your friend
I can be trusted and I'm willing to forgive
I won't do you in
I won't betray your trust
I'll make you all the master race
I can create an elite group of people
Just put me in my godly place
I want to be in a position of power
We'll march the world down in defeat
I can conquer the world's problems and enemies
Take the fields of oil and the lands of wheat
I can take control of natural resources for the greater good
Power, more, power I want it
I'm obsessed with having more power
One thing I must make perfectly clear
I want to emphasize one important point
Nuclear weapons, all men fear
Nuclear weapons are a source of fear and power
Their hands sweat, their fingers itch
The idea of holding a nuclear weapon creates anxiety and desire
I'm the only one you can trust with the switch
I am the only one who can safely control nuclear weapons
Give it to me, power
I want control of nuclear weapons
Give it to me, more
I want more control
I need it, got to have it, I must have it
I must control nuclear weapons
More, give it to me
Give me more control
More, give it to me
Give me more control
More
I need more power
More
I crave more power
More
I want more power
More
I demand more power
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANGELO BOND, BERRY JR GORDY, BERRY GORDY JR, JEAN MAYER-DAILEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind