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.
Superstar (Remember How You Go
The Temptations Lyrics
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Fire
Don't change your style now that you've reached the top
Don't choose your friends by what they've got
Remember beneath the glitter and gleam
Like everyday people you're just a human being
Enjoy your champagne and caviar
And your chauffeur drivin' fancy car
But remember how you got where you are
Oh ho ho, 'cause the same folks that made you
Um hum, you better believe they can break you
No you didn't make it all by yourself
You had help from somebody else
The truth is the light, don't let it depress you
You just be thankful that the good Lord made you
Superstar, ah do you know who your real friends are
Ah, talkin' to you
Superstar, remember how you got where you are
Ah ah down, down, down, down
Drummer keep it going, going
Horns star blowin', right on time, blow my mind
Higher higher, higher higher
It's easy for you to look down
Turn up your nose and frown
Now that you're on top
Top
Bright lights
Don't let the bright lights blind you
Bridges
Don't burn 'em behind you
Superstar, superstar do you know who your real friends are
Ah, talkin' to you
Superstar, remember how you got where you are
Um hum, um hum
Don't change your style now that you've reached the top
Don't choose your friends by what they've got
Like everyday people you're just a human being
Superstar, hey hey, do you know who your real friends are
Ah, talkin' to you
Superstar remember how you got where you are
The Temptations' "Superstar" is a love song about a man who is infatuated with a woman that he watches from his window every day. He considers himself to be lucky to have a girl like her, and he dreams of raising a family with her in the future. He prays to the Lord to never let anyone take her love away from him. However, he eventually realizes that it is all just his imagination running away with him, and that the woman doesn't even know him.
The song is ultimately about the power of imagination and fantasy, and how they can provide an escape from reality. The singer's vivid imagination allows him to create an idealized version of his life, but he eventually comes to terms with the fact that it is just a dream. The song has a dreamy, longing quality to it, with lush harmonies and a smooth, soulful delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by.
I see her every day from my window while she walks through my lane
I say to myself, "You're such a lucky guy."
I tell myself how fortunate I am to have such a beautiful girl in my life.
To have a girl like her is truly a dream come true.
Having a girl like her is like living a dream for real.
Out of all of the fellas in the world she belongs to you...
She belongs only to you out of all the other men in the world.
But it was just my imagination running away with me.
It was not real, just my imagination creating something in my head.
Soon we'll be married.. and raise a family.
We will soon be getting married and start a family together.
In a cozy, little home out in the country with two children, maybe three.
Living in a warm and comfortable home in the rural area with two or three children.
I tell you, I can visualize it all. This couldn't be a dream for too real it all seems.
I can clearly see and imagine everything happening in real life and it doesn't seem like a dream at all.
Every night, on my knees I pray,"Dear Lord, hear my plea... don't ever let another take her love from me or I will surely die.."
I pray every night to God to not let anyone else take her love away from me because I cannot live without her.
Ooh, her love is heavenly; when her arms enfold me, I hear a tender rhapsody... but in reality, she doesn't even know me
Her love feels like a piece of heaven, and when she holds me, I feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately, she doesn't even know me in real life.
I never met her, but I can't forget her. Just my imagination.. -- ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah -- running away with me
Though I never met her in person, I can't seem to forget her. It's just my imagination running wild and creating things that seem real.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NORMAN WHITFIELD, BARRET STRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pete
One of the Temptations' best - yet it seldom seems to get played these days.
Terra Titanic
Wow, this song is a timeless classic. Just listen to those horns go...I love it
MrAntiSellOut
Rest in peace Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street, & Damon Harris
Micaï. Claude.
The Motown Sound ! Gordy !
Super The Temptations.
I Have & i like this album vinyl !
William Rodney
Listen carefully and you will hear Paul Williams sing a line in this song: "right on time, blow my mind!"
Rod W
Remember Street sounded enough like Paul that he often sang his parts offstage when Paul was struggling onstage with his illnesses that impacted his vocals...
Carlton Jumel Smith
To tell you the truth the "Blowing my mind" line DOES sound like Paul. BUt "Right On TIme" is Richard.
Jaylen E. Turner
That was Otis.
Paul was advise by his doctor to stepped down. Because his doctor found a spot on his liver. This was because of his alcohol drinking and he had sickle cell anemia so it made it worse. He was still paid his one-fifth share of the group’s earnings and acted as choreographer for them until his death on August 17th,1973 from suicide by gunshot.
W. Roland Chambers
Paul was gone by this time. If you remember Richard was bought in to replace Paul.
J D
William Rodney not quite. It was Richard singing that part