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.
Tell Her Love Has Felt the Need
The Temptations Lyrics
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In the mor-or-ning when she wakes light of dawn come touch her face.
Sunshine keep her warm and safe, wind come blow her tears away.
Tell her love has felt the need to leave her.
Tell her love has felt the need to free her.
I could never be what she wants of me, yeah-eah.
She deserves that kind of man, but my life is like a ship in sand, yeah.
Tell her love has felt the need to leave her.
Tell her love has felt the need to free her.
I could never be what she wants of me.
Love her, ooo-ooo-ooo.
I could never be what she wants of me.
Yeah, yeah-eah-eah.
Log on to kill this message.
I could never be what she wants of me.
Tell her love has felt the need to leave her.
Tell her love has felt the need to free her.
Huh-huh-huh (Won`t you tell her) Huh-huh
I could never be what she wants of me, yeah.
(Instrumental)
(I could never be what she wants of me)
(Won`t you tell her)
(Hey)
(I`ll just pass her by, I don`t want to make her cry)
(Won`t you tell her)
(Hey)
(Hope she finds a happy home, I think it`s best that I move on)
(Hey)
Hey
(I could never be what she wants of me)
(Hey)
Hey-ey
The lyrics to The Temptations' song "Tell Her Love Has Felt the Need" describe the singer's inability to provide the commitment and stability that the woman he loves desires. He acknowledges that she deserves a man who can offer her diamond rings, wedding plans, and children holding hands, but recognizes that he cannot be that person for her. Instead, he asks the wind to blow away her tears and tells her that love has felt the need to leave and free her. He ultimately decides to pass her by and move on, hoping that she finds a happy home.
The song is an emotional and introspective examination of the difficulties of love and commitment. Despite wanting to be with the woman he loves, the singer understands that he cannot fulfill her needs and realizes that it's better for them to part ways. The lyrics are poetic and evocative, describing the natural elements of sunshine, wind, and tears to convey the emotions that the singer is experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
In the mor-or-ning when she wakes light of dawn come touch her face.
The singer hopes that his love wakes up every morning with the warmth of the sun touching her face.
Sunshine keep her warm and safe, wind come blow her tears away.
The singer wishes for his love to feel safe and protected in the warm embrace of the sunshine, and for the wind to carry away any sadness.
Tell her love has felt the need to leave her.
The singer wants his love to know that he feels the need to leave her, though it's not necessarily what he wants.
Tell her love has felt the need to free her.
The artist believes that by leaving his love, he is granting her freedom.
I could never be what she wants of me, yeah-eah.
The artist understands that he cannot meet the expectations and desires of his love, and acknowledges this fact with regret.
Diamond rings and wedding plans, children laughing and holding hands.
The singer imagines a future with his love that would involve marriage and children, but understands that it's not possible for them.
She deserves that kind of man, but my life is like a ship in sand, yeah.
The singer recognizes that his love deserves someone who could give her everything she wants in life, but his own life and circumstances are uncertain and unstable.
Love her, ooo-ooo-ooo.
The artist's deepest desire is for his love to be loved and cherished properly, even if it's not by him.
Log on to kill this message.
This line is not clearly part of the song and may be a mistake in the transcription.
Hey-ey
This line is a vocalization of emotion, likely sadness or regret.
Huh-huh-huh (Won`t you tell her) Huh-huh
These sounds may be part of the song or may be extraneous vocalizations.
(Instrumental)
The music plays without lyrics, possibly to evoke emotions or provide a break in the song's narrative.
(Hey)
This line is a vocalization of emotion, likely sadness or regret.
(I`ll just pass her by, I don`t want to make her cry)
The singer decides to avoid his love, as he doesn't want to cause her any more pain or sorrow.
(Won`t you tell her)
This line is a request for someone to convey the singer's message to his love.
(Hey)
This line is a vocalization of emotion, likely sadness or regret.
(Hope she finds a happy home, I think it`s best that I move on)
The artist hopes that his love finds happiness and a sense of belonging, and believes that it's best for him to move on from the relationship.
(I could never be what she wants of me)
The singer reiterates his inability to meet his love's expectations and desires.
(Hey)
This line is a vocalization of emotion, likely sadness or regret.
(Hey-ey)
This line is a vocalization of emotion, likely sadness or regret.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATHY WAKEFIELD, LEONARD CASTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angel Babee
Man... this is one of the most heart-wrenching songs and yet so beautiful. The music, the lyrics, the voice. Everything is right about this song almost 50 years later.
Bettie Blakey
The voice of an angel for a beautiful song. Thank you Eddie for sharing your gift from God! Continue to R.I.P Eddie you will never be forgotten!!!!!.....
Ricky Smith
This song is so gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking and scintillatingly beautiful at the same time. Thank you Eddie for another gem.
Michael Stanton
one of my favourite eddie kendricks songs and one of his most underrated, in my opinion.
Bismillah Rabbani
My first time hearing this one by Eddie Kendricks. I love his voice.
Michele Brown
Wasn't it on the b-side of Boogie Down or one of his big hits?
Chermaine Bigby
Mine too man
C Brown
I agree. I remember hearing it for the first time at a house party. I bought it next day and played it over and over. Definitely underrated.
Michele Brown
@C Brown I remember playing it as a kid but it was on one of my parents 45's. I doubt my parents purchased it intentionally for this song. That's why I thought it was the B-side of something else. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I got to hear it. This was when I fell in love with Eddie. It also helped that he was a fellow Sagittarius. ♐
Bonita Otey
This song with Eddie's angelic voice brings tears to my eyes, still! I had a huge crush on him back in the day. What a beautiful man he was. RIP Eddie <3