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.
Standing on the Top Part 1
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you’re on the top
There’s no place you can really go but down, down, down
People on the street congratulate you
They say they love the way you sound, well
When you’re on the low
No one wants to chit or chat or even know your name
Your manager has ripped you off and gone somewhere
Standing on the top
Standing on the top, top
On the top getting down, yeah
Standing on the top (Yeah), top
On the top getting down, Temptations sing
Standing on the top, top
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Standing on the top, top
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
When you’re on the top
Everyone you meet they wanna be your long lost friend
They say how great you are, a superstar
But do you have any money to lend
(Hey, man, can you loan me a few bucks)
When you’re on the low
Where do all the freaks and fancy people go,
(I don’t know) I don’t know
People sit and stare
Askin’ crazy questions,
“Do you braid your hair” and “What’s L-7 Square”
Standing on the top, top
On the top getting down, ho
Hey, hoo
Standing on the top, top
On the top getting down, down, down, down
Standing on the top (Sing)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
(Well, well, well, well, well, well)
Standing on the top (Well)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
(Standing on the top getting down)
Can you understand it (We understand it)
Can you understand it what I’m talkin’ about
When I say that funk is here to stay (We understand it)
Can you understand it what I’m talkin’ about
That funk is here to stay, oh (We understand it)
If you understand it say, “Yeah” (Yeah, yeah)
We want the funk
We want the funk and nothing else (We want the funk)
We want the funk and nothing else will do
We want the funk
We want the funk and nothing else (We want the funk)
We want the funk and nothing else will do
We want the funk
We want the funk and nothing else (We want the funk)
We want the funk and nothing else will do
We want the funk
We want the funk and nothing else (We want the funk)
The Temptations' "Standing on the Top Part 1" is a song about the highs and lows of success in the music industry. The lyrics describe the different experiences when one is on the top of the industry and then when they're at the bottom. When the singer is on the top, everyone on the street congratulates them and wants to be their friend. The singers appear to portray a sense of apprehension about this and seem to be hinting that it is not genuine. On the other side of success, when the singer is on the low, no one wants to know their name or even have a small chat with them. Their agent is nowhere to be found, and their manager has gone somewhere with their money, leaving them at their lowest low.
The song has quite a few fun elements to it, such as the call-and-response refrain "Standing on the top, top / On the top getting down" that has a fun, catchy, and infectious rhythm. They also have a "We want the funk" segment that is also memorable and captivating. Overall, the song is meant to showcase the highs and lows of success and how success in the music industry is not always gold and glitter.
Line by Line Meaning
Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi
Vocalization for emphasis and rhythm
When you’re on the top
Referring to a situation of great success, fame or power
There’s no place you can really go but down, down, down
Expressing the idea that once someone reaches a high level of success, it’s hard to maintain it, and failure is likely to follow
People on the street congratulate you
Highlighting the way in which people who have achieved great success are often praised and admired by others
They say they love the way you sound, well
Stressing how people tend to appreciate and enjoy the work of successful individuals
When you’re on the low
Referring to a situation of failure, lack of success or power
No one wants to chit or chat or even know your name
Reflecting how unsuccessful people are often ignored, overlooked, or even avoided by others
Your agent’s never there
Highlighting how people who have failed are often abandoned or left alone by those who were supposed to help or support them
Your manager has ripped you off and gone somewhere
Showing how unsuccessful individuals are often taken advantage of and exploited by people who claim to help them
Standing on the top
Reinforcing the idea of being in a position of great success and power
Standing on the top, top
Repeating the previous line for emphasis and rhythm
On the top getting down, yeah
Indicating how someone in a position of success can also have fun and enjoy themselves
Standing on the top (Yeah), top
Repeating the idea of being at the very top, with a slightly different vocalization for emphasis
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Vocalization for emphasis and rhythm
When you’re on the top
Repeating the idea of being in a position of great success
Everyone you meet they wanna be your long lost friend
Highlighting how people tend to approach successful individuals in order to gain their favor and benefit from their success
They say how great you are, a superstar
Reinforcing the idea of being highly regarded and admired by others due to one's success
But do you have any money to lend
Suggesting that people may not genuinely care about the person's success, but rather the benefits they can reap from it
(Hey, man, can you loan me a few bucks)
Using an example dialogue to express how some people may use flattery and praise to indirectly ask for money or favors
When you’re on the low
Repeating the concept of being in a position of failure, lack of success or power
Where do all the freaks and fancy people go,
Asking a rhetorical question about where unsuccessful people can find themselves, suggesting a lack of clear answers or direction
(I don’t know) I don’t know
Using repetition to emphasize the lack of clarity and understanding about the situation
People sit and stare
Suggesting how unsuccessful individuals are often subject to scrutiny and derision from others
Askin’ crazy questions, “Do you braid your hair” and “What’s L-7 Square”
Using examples of nonsensical or irrelevant questions to further emphasize the lack of importance or relevance of unsuccessful individuals
Standing on the top, top
Repeating the idea of being at the very top
On the top getting down, ho
Using a vocalization and slang term to indicate having fun and enjoying oneself while in a position of success
Hey, hoo
Vocalization for emphasis and rhythm
Standing on the top, top
Again repeating the concept of being at the very top
On the top getting down, down, down, down
Repeating the idea of having fun and enjoying oneself while in a position of success, with added vocalization and repetition for emphasis
Standing on the top (Sing)
Repeating the concept of being at the very top, with added vocalization for emphasis and rhythm
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Vocalization for emphasis and rhythm
(Well, well, well, well, well, well)
Vocalization for emphasis and rhythm
Can you understand it (We understand it)
Asking the listener if they comprehend what the song is expressing, and responding with an affirmation that they do
Can you understand it what I’m talkin’ about
Asking the listener if they comprehend the ideas being expressed through the lyrics
When I say that funk is here to stay (We understand it)
Expressing the idea that the concept of 'funk' (a style of music) will persist and continue to be relevant, and that the listener understands this idea
If you understand it say, “Yeah” (Yeah, yeah)
Encouraging the listener to vocalize their agreement or understanding of the song's expressed ideas
We want the funk
Stating a desire for and appreciation of the musical style known as 'funk'
We want the funk and nothing else (We want the funk)
Reasserting the desire for and appreciation of 'funk', and emphasizing that no other musical style will suffice
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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