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.
Shakey Ground
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't be as hurt as I feel all over
My life was one special occasion
'Til you leave in depth with the situation
Well well well I'm standing on shakey ground, yay
Ever since you put me down, oh ho ho
Standing on shakey ground, yay
My car got repossessed this morning, yay
Harder times I haven't seen in years
Girl, you better throw me a life preserver
'Cause I'm about to drown in my own tears
Well well well standing on shakey ground, yay
Ever since you put me down, oh ho ho
Standing on shakey ground
Ever since you put me down
Well well well standing on shakey ground
Ever since you put me down
Standing on shakey ground
Ever since you put me down
Standing on shakey ground (standing, standing)
Standing, standing, standing on shakey ground (ground)
Got to stand, got to stand, standing on, standing on shakey ground, woo
Ever since you put me down
And I love standing on shakey ground
Ever since you put me down
The Temptations' "Shakey Ground" is a lamentation on heartbreak and misfortune. The song's opening couplet references luck and fortune. Despite any good omens, the singer is still overcome with the pain of a break-up. The singer reminisces about happier times when his life was like "one special occasion." But now, he is left to deal with negative feelings of sadness, depression and uncertainty. This song shows how a bad relationship and an abrupt end to the same can send people's world to a brand-new level of inconsistency and instability.
The song uses a clever metaphor of standing on "shakey ground." The metaphor is likened to difficult times when there is emotional turmoil and when things fall apart, like it does in a bad relationship. Since his relationship has ended, the singer feels like he is constantly operating from a position of instability. Even worse, all his possessions are teetering on the edge of ruin - his car has been repossessed. The title, "Shakey Ground" connotes a sense of uneasiness, making it an apt description of an emotional state where one is always feeling uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady luck and four leaf clovers
Even the best of luck charms can't erase the pain I feel
Won't be as hurt as I feel all over
The pain of losing you is more intense than any physical pain I've felt
My life was one special occasion
My life was perfect and celebratory when we were together
'Til you leave in depth with the situation
But when you left, everything fell apart and I was left struggling to deal with the consequences
Well well well I'm standing on shakey ground, yay
I am barely holding on and everything in my life feels unsure
Ever since you put me down, oh ho ho
All of this instability is a direct result of you leaving me
My car got repossessed this morning, yay
Things are getting worse and worse, and I am losing everything I have
Harder times I haven't seen in years
I haven't faced this level of hardship in years, if ever
Girl, you better throw me a life preserver
I need your help to get through this and save me from drowning in my own sorrows
'Cause I'm about to drown in my own tears
The depth of my sadness is overwhelming and I feel like I am suffocating in it
Standing on shakey ground
I am constantly unsure of what comes next and struggling to stand firmly
(standing, standing)
Everything feels unstable and I am constantly trying to maintain balance
Got to stand, got to stand, standing on, standing on shakey ground, woo
I have to keep pushing through and standing strong, even when everything around me is uncertain
And I love standing on shakey ground
Even though it's difficult, I am determined to keep standing and fighting through this hardship
Ever since you put me down
All of this struggle and instability is directly linked to you leaving me
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alphonso Boyd, Edward Earl Hazel, Jeffrey Bowen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amal Mondal
Lady luck and a four leaf clovers
Wanting this hurt I feel all over
My life was one special occasion
Till your leavin' ended the situation
I'm standin' on shakey ground, yeah
Ever since you put me down
Oh, standin' on shakey ground, yeah
Ever since you put me down
My car got repossessed this morning, yeah
Hardest times I've seen in years
God, you got to throw me a life preserver, yeah
'Cause I'm about to drown in my own tears
I'm standin' on shakey ground, yeah
Ever since you put me down
Oh, standin' on shakey ground, yeah
Ever since you put me down
I'm standin' on shakey ground, yeah
Ever since you put me down
Oh, standin' on shakey ground, yeah
Ever since you put me down
Standin'
Standin'
Standin' of course
Standin'
Standin'
Standin' on shakey ground
I'm standin' on shakey ground
Ever since you put me down
Standin' on shakey ground
Ever since you put me down
Mia Treadwell
That bass line ๐๐๐
shoe
same bruv
Nick Mullen
@shoe ong bruh
Carlos The Rocker
THAT BASS LINE! THIS SONG LITTERALLY MADE ME DECIDE TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY BASS AT THE AGE OF 14!
david Reynolsd
Awesome bass
bass7842
THOSE bass lines. Billy Bass of the Funkadelics sat in on this. Not sure who the other guy is. I'm guessing Bob Babbitt.
dfreeman120
Opened for the Temps 10 nights in a row and got to hear Dennis Edwards get down live on these jams !!!
E Lord
What a fortunate and amazing thing you got to experience!
Wendell Morrison
This is one the most underrated groves of all ๐!!
Joseph Craig
That my friend is 100,000% PURE UNADULTERATED FUNK!! ๐๐ต.