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.
Slow Down Heart
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why don't you, slow down heart
As she goes walking, past you
When I first saw you (hey)my heart stood still (hey)
Down my spine (hey) I felt cold chills (hey)
My head started spinning (oh, oh)my knees got weak.
Aw, I couldn't even speak.
When my heart started pounding,(heart started pounding, like a)
I couldn't budge (i couldn't budge)
I couldn't budge (i couldn't budge)
I couldn't budge (i couldn't budge)
So I said, slow down heart,
A, slow down a heart
You're beating much too fast.
You know that you're beating too fast
Slow down heart
As she goes walking past you
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
Hey, hey, hey.
Everyday I wait outside my door.(hey)
(hey) hoping you'll come by just once more (hey)
That's when in a distance (oh, ho)i can see it's you
Aw, what could I do oh,
When my heart started pounding,(heart started pounding)
Like a, thousand drums (oh, oh)
Here she comes (oh here she comes)
Oh, here she comes (oh here she, comes)
Oh, here she comes(oh here, she comes)
So I said, slow down heart,
Slow down heart
You're beating much too fast.
You know that you're beating too fast
Slow down heart
As she goes walking, past you
Why don't you, slow down heart
The Temptations' song "Slow Down Heart" is a classic love song that describes the feelings of someone head over heels in love, whose heart races uncontrollably every time they see the object of their affection. The lyrics perfectly capture the physical and emotional reactions that come with falling in love and losing one's composure. The singer longs for the object of his affection, whom he waits for every day outside his door, hoping that she would come by just once more. When she finally appears, he is overcome with emotion, and his heart pounds in his chest as if it were a thousand drums.
The lyrics go on to describe the sensations that come with being in the presence of the person you love - the way your heart beats much too fast and the uncontrollable urge to be near them. The line "When my heart started pounding, like a mallet of a judge; I couldn't budge," serves as a metaphor for the power of love, which can leave one feeling powerless and at the mercy of their emotions. The repeated plea to "slow down heart" represents the singer's desire to regain control of his emotions and take things at a slower pace.
Overall, "Slow Down Heart" is a timeless love song that perfectly captures the heady feeling of falling in love for the first time. The lyrics are straightforward and raw, perfectly accompanied by The Temptations' soulful sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Slow down heart, you're beating much too fast.
The singer urges their heart to calm down and slow its rapid beating.
Why don't you, slow down heart
The singer is asking their heart to slow down its beating for their own good.
As she goes walking, past you
The singer is referring to a woman they are obsessed with who is walking by them.
When I first saw you (hey)my heart stood still (hey)
The artist's heart stopped beating for a moment when they first saw the woman they are obsessed with.
Down my spine (hey) I felt cold chills (hey)
The artist felt chills all over their body when they saw the woman they are obsessed with.
My head started spinning (oh, oh)my knees got weak.
The singer became dizzy and weak when they saw the woman they are obsessed with.
Aw, I couldn't even speak.
The singer was so affected by the woman they are obsessed with that they were unable to speak.
When my heart started pounding,(heart started pounding, like a)
The artist's heart started beating rapidly like a pounding hammer.
Like a, mallet of a judge.
The artist compares their rapid heartbeat to the sound of a judge's mallet hitting the desk.
I couldn't budge (i couldn't budge)
The artist was so overcome by their feelings that they were unable to move.
Everyday I wait outside my door.(hey)
The singer is waiting for the woman they are obsessed with to pass by their door every day.
(hey) hoping you'll come by just once more (hey)
The artist hopes to see the woman they are obsessed with pass by their door again.
That's when in a distance (oh, ho)i can see it's you
The singer sees the woman they are obsessed with in the distance.
Aw, what could I do oh,
The singer feels helpless in their obsession with the woman.
When my heart started pounding,(heart started pounding)
The singer's heart starts beating rapidly again when they see the woman.
Like a, thousand drums (oh, oh)
The artist compares their rapid heartbeat to the sound of a thousand drums.
Here she comes (oh here she comes)
The woman the artist is obsessed with is getting closer.
Oh, here she comes (oh here she, comes)
The woman is coming closer and closer.
Oh, here she comes(oh here, she comes)
The woman is now very close to the singer.
You know that you're beating too fast
The artist is aware that their heart is beating too fast and wants it to slow down for their own good.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ednoroirika
This beat and melody is incredible!
Chris Chanin
I love their first album - my favorite:
Blues, Do-Wop, R&B, just spectacular!
gill blaze
superb track, one of my all time faves...
Jerry Johnson
Paul Williams always put his heart and soul in his songs when he sang lead....The Temptations was a group made up of lead singers....thank you, Paul Williams. RIP...thank you, Adrian Fisher for the upload of this hidden gem and the video montage. Blessings. #keeprockin'...
Sue Kelly
Paul had a great voice x
Robert Card
Paul Williams made this cut his own classic!
Adrian Smith
Idk why this didn't make a hit.
rollerchickable
I LOVE THIS SONG SING TO ME PAUL, I LOVE YOUR VOICE, RIP PAUL AND ALL OF THE TEMPTATIONS THAT GOD HAS CALL HOME, THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
Lois Crawl
I love this song. My parents (RIH) used to have the album. I still listen to it at 52 years old. The real music. 💝💝🙌🙌
Dana Douglas
Love this song!🎶 ✌❤