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.
Taste Of Honey
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll take with me the warmth of thee
A taste of honey
A taste much sweeter than wine
I will return
I'll return
I'll come back for the honey and you
And may it ever remind you of
A taste of honey
A taste much sweeter than wine
I will return
I'll return
I'll come back for the honey and you
He never came back to his love so fair
And so she died dreaming of his kiss
His kiss of honey
A taste more bitter than wine
I will return
I will return
I'll come back for the honey and you
I'll come back for the honey and you!
The Temptations' song "Taste of Honey" tells the story of a man who is leaving his love behind to embark on a perilous journey. He promises to return to her, bringing with him the "taste of honey," which he describes as "a taste much sweeter than wine." The man vows to leave his heart behind as a reminder of his love for her, and he pledges to come back for her and the honey. However, as the story unfolds, we learn that the man does not return, and his love dies dreaming of his kiss, which is described as "a taste more bitter than wine."
The lyrics of "Taste of Honey" are a poignant meditation on the themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet nature of memory. The man's promise to return for his love and the honey becomes a kind of haunting refrain, suggesting that the memory of his love and the sweetness of the honey will never truly leave him. The final stanza of the song, in which the love dies dreaming of the man's kiss, adds an additional layer of complexity to the story, suggesting a deeper sense of longing and heartbreak.
Overall, the lyrics of "Taste of Honey" are a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love and the complexity of human emotions. With its haunting refrain and evocative imagery, the song remains a classic example of the soulful ballads for which The Temptations are so renowned.
Line by Line Meaning
Winds may blow over the icy sea
Despite the harsh conditions of the sea, I'll endure them and take with me the warmth of my love for you.
I'll take with me the warmth of thee
I'll carry the warmth of your love with me wherever I go.
A taste of honey
A sample of the sweet love we share.
A taste much sweeter than wine
Our love is purer and more satisfying than any physical pleasure.
I will return
I promise to come back to you.
I'll return
I'll keep my word and come back to you.
I'll come back for the honey and you
I'll come back for both the sweet love we share and for you, my beloved.
I'll leave behind my heart to wear
I'll leave my heart with you as a reminder of my undying love.
And may it ever remind you of
I hope my heart will serve as a constant reminder of the love we share.
His kiss of honey
The sweetness of his kiss, which was a symbol of their love.
A taste more bitter than wine
This kiss was a bitter reminder of the love that was lost and never returned.
I will return
I still promise to come back to you, despite what has happened.
I'll come back for the honey and you
My love for you and the sweetness we shared is something I cannot ignore.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Written by: Bobby Scott, Ric Marlow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Terrance Evans
There are no words to adequately describe the perfection we hear here....
Linda Hines
Love the way MR Eddie Kendricks did this song and
Dave putting his 2 cents in!
PERFECTION! Love these guys!
Aslan
These gentlemen could sing the phone book and make a legendary record out of it. Cheers!
Gene Ayala
Arsalan Nasir ...Way Too Cool
Augustus Caesar
I bought this album years ago & it took me at least two years before I ever listened to this song or "hello young lovers" & it turned out that I really did like & appreciate these songs. The whole in a mellow mood album was superb from "Hello young lovers" to "the impossible dream."
Winter Assassin
James Jamerson gets loads of kudos for his electric bass playing but tracks like this one and Stevie Wonders "Doo Dah Day" shows his brilliance as an acoustic bassist as well.
vanessa williams
my childhood.. i feel in love with this cut
Shirley Zimmerman
My brother brought this album home. I thought, this ain't The Temptations. But then I listened... wow!
Thomas Jimenez
This album with the arrangement of Oscar Peterson of Big Big Band Jazz which put the Fab 5 in a category that no other male group of white or black could touch. The Manager of the Temptation saw this early on as an opportunity too cross The Temps over to the White Listeners . Which respected the as pure perfection in a category of no other. At one time it is said that the Tall the Tan the Talented Temptation and Terrific Temptation where as Big or even bigger then the Beetles. The greatest vocalist group of the twentieth century hands down. God hand pick this Five Himself.
Majik Moments
Totally awesome