The Temptations may refer to at least two groups

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.

Respect Yourself
The Temptations Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you disrespect anybody
That you run into
How in the world do you think
Anybody's suppose to respect you?

If you don't give a heck about the man
With the bible in his hand
Just get out the way

And let the gentleman do his thing

Now you're the kind of gentleman
That want everything your way
Take the sheet off your face, boy
It's a brand new day

Respect yourself
Respect yourself
But if you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot

Respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself

If you're walkin' 'round thinking
That the world owes you something 'cause you're here
Well, you goin' out the world backwards
Like you did when you first come here

Keep talkin' 'bout the president
It won't stop air pollution
Put your hand o'er your mouth
When you cough that'll help the solution, yes it will

You curse around women
And you don't even know their names
Then you're dumb enough to think
It'll make you a big ol' man

Respect yourself
Respect yourself
If you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot

Respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself
If you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot

Respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself
If you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot

Respect yourself
Well, well, respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself

Respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself
I said, respect yourself

Respect yourself
Come on, respect yourself

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' "Respect Yourself" is a powerful call to action for listeners to treat others with respect in order to receive respect in return. The lyrics warn against disrespecting anyone, as it undermines one's own ability to demand respect. It also touches on respecting others' beliefs and letting them do their own thing, rather than controlling or belittling them. Additionally, the song criticizes entitlement and the belief that one is owed something from the world, as well as the negative impacts of pollution and putting other people down to feel bigger.

The song is a reminder to listeners to take responsibility for their actions and the impact they have on themselves and others, and to work towards creating a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Line by Line Meaning

If you disrespect anybody That you run into How in the world do you think Anybody's suppose to respect you?
If you don't treat others with respect, how can you expect them to treat you with respect?

If you don't give a heck about the man With the bible in his hand Just get out the way And let the gentleman do his thing
If you don't care about or agree with someone's beliefs, just leave them alone and let them practice their faith.

Now you're the kind of gentleman That want everything your way Take the sheet off your face, boy It's a brand new day
If you only care about yourself and your own desires, it's time to let go of your prejudices and start fresh.

Respect yourself Respect yourself But if you don't respect yourself Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot Respect yourself Come on, respect yourself
You need to have respect for yourself before others can respect you.

If you're walkin' 'round thinking That the world owes you something 'cause you're here Well, you goin' out the world backwards Like you did when you first come here
If you expect the world to give you everything just because you exist, you're living life in reverse.

Keep talkin' 'bout the president It won't stop air pollution Put your hand o'er your mouth When you cough that'll help the solution, yes it will
Talking about problems won't solve them, but taking practical actions, like covering your mouth when you cough, can help.

You curse around women And you don't even know their names Then you're dumb enough to think It'll make you a big ol' man
If you use foul language around people, particularly women, you're not making yourself look tough, but rather foolish.

Respect yourself Respect yourself If you don't respect yourself Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot Respect yourself Come on, respect yourself If you don't respect yourself Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot Respect yourself Come on, respect yourself If you don't respect yourself Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot Respect yourself Well, well, respect yourself Come on, respect yourself Come on, respect yourself Respect yourself Come on, respect yourself Come on, respect yourself I said, respect yourself Respect yourself Come on, respect yourself
The chorus is repeating the message that having self-respect is crucial for gaining respect from others.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUTHER THOMAS INGRAM, MACK RICE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS