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.
Smiling Faces Sometimes
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
The truth is in the eye 'cause the eyes don't lie, amen.
Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend.
So, hear me when I'm saying
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
Beware. Beware of the handshake that hides the snake,
I'm tellin' you beware of the pat on the back it just might hold you back.
Jealousy, (Jealousy) misery, (misery) envy.
I tell you you can't see behind
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
Your enemy won't do you no harm, 'cause you'll know where he's comin' from;
don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya.
Take my advice I'm only tryin' to school ya.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
The Temptations' "Smiling Faces Sometimes" is a song that delves deep into the theme of deceitfulness. Each verse warns about the danger of trusting people who pretend to be friendly and affable, but who hide their true, unscrupulous and often malevolent intentions behind their smiling faces. In the first verse, the lyrics point out that smiling faces can sometimes put on a false front and feign friendliness only to unleash an evil side later. These people are masters of duplicity, hiding their true nature behind their smiling faces. The second verse provides tangibility to these warnings, emphasizing that the smiling faces sometimes tell lies, and the proof is clear from the eyes - the eyes never lie. The chorus repeats that the smiling faces don't always tell the truth and warns us to beware of people who hide their sinister intentions behind their smiles, handshakes or pats on the back. Jealousy, misery, and envy are the root causes of this deception.
The song's message is to those who are naive and overlook such insidious intentions of people for the sake of civility. The warning tells us to pay close attention to the words and actions of others, rather than the outward appearances of their faces. While a smile is often understood to be a sign of joy and contentment, it is not always a reflection of a person's true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend.
People will put on a happy face and act like they care about you, but it's all just an act.
Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within.
People who seem happy and friendly may actually have bad intentions or ulterior motives.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
People who smile and act like they're your friend aren't always honest and truthful.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
Those who seem friendly and happy can deceive you with lies, and I have evidence to prove it.
The truth is in the eye 'cause the eyes don't lie, amen.
You can tell if someone is being truthful or not by looking into their eyes; they can't hide their true intentions that way.
Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend.
Just because someone is smiling and seems happy on the outside, doesn't mean they actually are; it could all be a facade.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
People who smile and act friendly aren't always honest.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
People who seem happy and friendly can deceive you with lies, and I can prove it.
Beware. Beware of the handshake that hides the snake,
Be careful of people who seem friendly, but may actually be hiding their true intentions.
I'm tellin' you beware of the pat on the back it just might hold you back.
Even a friendly pat on the back could be an attempt to hold you back or keep you down.
Jealousy, (Jealousy) misery, (misery) envy.
People can pretend to be happy for you, but secretly feel jealous, unhappy, or envious of your success or happiness.
I tell you you can't see behind
It's hard to see someone's true intentions or feelings, because they can be good at hiding them.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
People who seem friendly and happy can still deceive you with lies and false intentions.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
People who pretend to be your friend and seem happy can deceive you with lies, and I can prove it.
Your enemy won't do you no harm, 'cause you'll know where he's comin' from;
It's easier to identify and protect yourself from someone who openly dislikes you, rather than someone who pretends to be your friend while secretly having bad intentions.
don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya.
Don't be deceived by someone's friendly demeanor, because they could still have ulterior motives or bad intentions.
Take my advice I'm only tryin' to school ya.
I'm giving you this advice to help you be aware of people's true intentions and protect yourself.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
People who always seem happy and friendly can still hide their true intentions and lie to you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ElSeko7
Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend.
Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
The truth is in the eye 'cause the eyes don't lie, amen.
Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend.
So, hear me when I'm saying
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
Beware. Beware of the handshake that hides the snake,
I'm tellin' you beware of the pat on the back it just might hold you back.
Jealousy, (Jealousy) misery, (misery) envy.
I tell you you can't see behind
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
Your enemy won't do you no harm, 'cause you'll know where he's comin' from;
don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya.
Take my advice I'm only tryin' to school ya.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
@annaelizabeth169
These should already be here . ..
🎵LYRICS🎵:
Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend.
Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
The truth is in the eye 'cause the eyes don't lie, amen.
Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend.
So, hear me when I'm saying
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
Beware. Beware of the handshake that hides the snake,
I'm tellin' you beware of the pat on the back it just might hold you back.
Jealousy, (Jealousy) misery, (misery) envy.
I tell you you can't see behind
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.
Your enemy won't do you no harm, 'cause you'll know where he's comin' from;
don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya.
Take my advice I'm only tryin' to school ya.
Smiling faces, Smiling Faces, Sometimes they don't tell the truth.
@TSUKNIDA
A little Anecdote to the meaning of the Lyrics,which you should never forget :
A Bank(st)er,You and a Refugee sit around a round Table.
On this round Table are lying three Cookies.
The Bank(st)er himself,takes two out of the three Cookies lying on the Table.
Than he leans over to You, and he is whispering in your Ear:
"The Refugee is about to steal Your Cookie" !!!!!
Got it ????
This you can surely apply to many Occasions here and elsewhere !!!!!!
@tabbach34
I love this song. The lyrics still apply to this very day.
@lelandgaunt9985
Back stabbas
@TheCornishCockney
Soul music from the 60's and 70's,it just doesn't get any better.
Todays "artists" would kill for ONE original that matches the standard of that era.
no chance.
@04esfera
Listen to Sharon Jones (RIP) or Charles Bradley (RIP). They made great soul music after 2000.
@JC-ee6pc
Absolutely!
@GaryFox11000
What a fabulous arranged song ! Norman Whitfield was at the top of his game .
That running rhythm guitar really holds up this song .
The strings are magical ; I've listened several hundred times . :)
@williamday8610
Gary O right on Gary!
@kbrandy1556
Gary O Mr O The great Norman Whitfield produced and co-wrote this song. IT WAS ARRANGED BY PAUL RISER, one of Motown's most prolific and talented arrangers of the early 70s era. He also arranged Papa Was A Rolling Stone.
@kbrandy1556
Paul Riser arranged this song as well as Papa Was A Rolling Stone. He was one of Motown's very best. Ashford and Simpson used him a great deal also. One of his personal favorite works was Diana Ross' version of Ain't No Mountain High Enough, he considered it to be one of his best. Arrangers don't often get the credit they so rightly deserve. An arrangement is really one of the most creative aspects of a recording.
@hasake8873
I really love Jamerson's bass line on this track.