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.
Runaway Child Running Wild
The Temptations Lyrics
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Mama said, for the rest of the week, in your room you gotta stay, yeah
Oh ho, now you feel like the whole world's pickin' on you
But deep down inside, you know it ain't true
You're in punishment
'Cause your mother wants to raise you in the right way, yeah
But you don't care
You're on your way, runaway child, running wild
Runaway child running wild
Better go back home where you belong
Roaming through the city going nowhere fast, you're on your own at last
Hey, it's gettin' late, where will you sleep?
You're gettin' kinda hungry, you forgot to bring something to eat
Oh, lost with no money you start to cry
But remember, you left home wantin' to be grown, so dry your weeping eyes
Sirens screamin' down neon lighted streets
You want your mama
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Are they looking for you?
You're frightened and confused
I want my mama
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run
But she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
You've heard some frightening news on the radio
About little boys running away from home
And the parents don't see them no more
You wanna stop to hitch a ride, I know
But your mama told you never trust a stranger
And you don't know which way to go
Streets are dark and deserted, not a sound nor sign of life
Oh how you long to hear your mother's voice, 'cause you're lost and alone
But remember, you made the choice, runaway child, running wild
You better go back home where you belong
He he he, oh, runaway child, running wild
You better go back home where you belong
You're lost in this great big city
Go back home where you belong
Not one familiar face, ain't it a pity
Go back home where you belong
Oh, runaway child running wild
You better go back home where you belong
Oh yeah, my girl
Mama, mama, please, come and sit here by me
Oh but she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
Oh, you're frightened and confused, which way will you choose
The Temptations’ “Runaway Child Running Wild” is a cautionary tale about a young child who decides to run away from home, only to find himself lost, hungry, and alone on the streets. The song begins with the child in his room, reflecting on his punishment for playing hooky from school. He decides that he doesn't care about his punishment and that he wants to run away. Once on the streets, he discovers that life is much harder than he anticipated as he struggles to find his way and stay safe. Sirens scream as he runs through the neon-lit streets, frightened and alone. The song is a chilling reminder to children that running away can have dangerous and unpredictable consequences.
The lyrics of the song examine the emotional consequences of running away from home. The child is consumed by feelings of loneliness and fear, longing for the comfort of his mother’s arms. However, he is forced to accept the fact that his decision to run away has left him lost and alone, with no one to turn to. The song warns that running away can be dangerous and that it is always better to go back home where one belongs, rather than risk the perils of the outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
You played hookie from school and you can't go out to play, yeah
You skipped school and now you're grounded, so you can't go outside to play.
Mama said, for the rest of the week, in your room you gotta stay, yeah
Your mother has confined you to your room for the rest of the week as a punishment.
Oh ho, now you feel like the whole world's pickin' on you
You feel like everyone is being unfair to you.
But deep down inside, you know it ain't true
You know that you deserve the punishment for skipping school.
You're in punishment
You are being punished for your actions.
'Cause your mother wants to raise you in the right way, yeah
Your mother is trying to guide you onto the right path.
But you don't care
You don't care about your mother's guidance.
'Cause you already made up your mind you wanna run away yeah
You have decided to run away from home.
You're on your way, runaway child, running wild
You have started on your journey away from home.
Runaway child running wild
You are a runaway who has gone wild.
Better go back home where you belong
You should return home where you belong.
Roaming through the city going nowhere fast, you're on your own at last
You are wandering around the city aimlessly and alone.
Hey, it's gettin' late, where will you sleep?
It's getting late, and you have nowhere to sleep.
You're gettin' kinda hungry, you forgot to bring something to eat
You're getting hungry because you forgot to bring food with you.
Oh, lost with no money you start to cry
You are lost and broke, and it's making you cry.
But remember, you left home wantin' to be grown, so dry your weeping eyes
You made the choice to leave home, so you need to stop crying and be mature about the situation.
Sirens screamin' down neon lighted streets
You hear police sirens on the lit-up city streets.
You want your mama
You are missing your mother's comfort and love.
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
You feel the urge to run away from everything.
Are they looking for you?
You wonder if people are looking for you.
You're frightened and confused
You are scared and unsure of what to do.
I want my mama
You desperately want to be with your mother.
But she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
Your mother is too far away, and you can't communicate with her.
You've heard some frightening news on the radio
You heard some scary news on the radio.
About little boys running away from home
The news you heard was about other children who have run away from home.
And the parents don't see them no more
The children who ran away from home are no longer with their parents.
You wanna stop to hitch a ride, I know
You think about stopping someone for a ride.
But your mama told you never trust a stranger
Your mother told you to never trust strangers.
And you don't know which way to go
You're lost and don't know which way to turn.
Streets are dark and deserted, not a sound nor sign of life
The streets are empty and it's completely silent.
Oh how you long to hear your mother's voice, 'cause you're lost and alone
You crave your mother's love and support because you are scared and alone.
He he he, oh, runaway child, running wild
You're a runaway who is out of control.
You're lost in this great big city
You're lost in the vast cityscape.
Not one familiar face, ain't it a pity
You haven't seen a familiar face, and it feels sad.
Oh yeah, my girl
You are talking to someone, possibly yourself.
Mama, mama, please, come and sit here by me
You are crying out for your mother's presence.
Oh, you're frightened and confused, which way will you choose
You're scared and indecisive about which direction to take.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeremymanning2132
Another piece of genius songwriting by Whitfield & Strong performed brilliantly as only the Temptations could!
A masterpiece!
@tracydavis8982
Jeremy Manning, 👍👍👍!🤗😎
@willierobinson6508
I grew up in the the project
@joyyamiles1831
IN JESUS NAME ANYBODY RUNNING AWAY LISTEN.,STAY STAY STAY STAY STAY STAY HOME...FOR REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!STAY!!!!!!HOME!!!!!
@joyyamiles1831
FOR REAL STAY STAY STAY HOME
@sulaimanbeyah3308
STILL, ONE OF THE TOUGHEST TUNES EVER SUNG & RECORDED!!!
LONG LIVE THE TEMPTATIONS!!!
@trinity0071999
This song kept me in the house growing up. That and my mama telling me she'd change the locks LMAO
@timecop1971
My Dad's favorite son in his youth
@lindawilliams7845
I remember those days 😅❤️
@elainewaller-rose9707
This song had that funky sound but it also scared the crap out of me at ten years old. Looking at the lyrics now, I see why. This was a masterpiece and probably prevented more than a few runaways.
I never heard the long version. This was really psychedelic! Motown had issues with Whitford and Strong writing these kind of songs but as a child of the sixties, reality was what I wanted to hear. Wish there were more artists singing and rapping with this kind of consciousness now.