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.
Truly Yours
The Temptations Lyrics
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That's what the letter said
Truly yours
That's what the letter said
As I read the words written in your letter
The tears began to rise
I could read between the lines, though you thought it was better
And as I struggled to hold my pride, suddenly I broke down and I cried
Your letter ended
Truly yours
When you know that you're no longer truly mine
Though you signed it, truly yours
And you know you're no longer truly, truly mine
I'm left behind
Now, it's painfully clear that you can concealing
Your feelings behind lies
And I feel so foolish to have ever believed you
And to think I even cried
But that's one thing I'll never understand
How you'd find the nerve to take a pen in your hand?
And sign your letter
Truly yours
When you know, you were never truly mine
How did you sign it truly yours?
When you know, you know that you were never truly mine
Just mean you been lying
Truly yours
That's what the letter said
Truly yours (oh baby)
That's what the letter said
Although you're gone and I'm left alone
And we are so, so far apart
The shell of a man that you discard behind
Still love you with all his heart baby
But the one thing I'll never-never understand
How to find the nerve to take a pen in your hand?
And sign your letter
Truly yours
And you know that you were never-never-never truly mine
How did you sign it truly yours, baby?
When you know, you know you were never truly mine
Oh baby
How did you sign it, truly yours?
How did you sign it, baby?
Truly yours, that's how you signed it
When you know that you were never, truly mine
Though you signed it letters, truly yours
And you know, you know you were never, truly mine
I'm left behind
Truly yours, that's how you truly
Truly-truly when you know you were never truly mine baby
But it's better baby
The lyrics to The Temptations' song "Truly Yours" tell a story of heartbreak and deceit. The singer is reading a letter from their former lover, who signed it "Truly Yours." Despite this, it is clear that the singer is no longer truly loved or wanted by the letter's author. The singer struggles to maintain their dignity and pride, but ultimately breaks down in tears. The letter serves as a painful reminder that the author no longer loves them and may have been deceiving them all along. The singer is left questioning how someone could sign a letter "Truly Yours" when they were never truly theirs to begin with.
The lyrics of "Truly Yours" are a poignant and relatable expression of the pain that comes with unrequited love and deception. The singer's soulful delivery and the melancholic melody add to the emotional resonance of the song. The repetition of the phrase "Truly yours" highlights the irony of the situation and adds to the sense of betrayal that the singer feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Truly yours
The letter started by addressing me as truly yours.
That's what the letter said
The letter contained only a few simple words.
Truly yours
You were trying to convince me that I still belonged to you.
That's what the letter said
The letter ended just as it had started, empty and devoid of love.
As I read the words written in your letter
I began to feel pain and sadness deep within.
The tears began to rise
The sadness turned into tears that streamed down my face.
I could read between the lines, though you thought it was better
I understood the message you were trying to convey, although you hadn't said it explicitly.
Not to use the word, 'Goodbye'
You chose not to say goodbye, but it was clear that we were over.
And as I struggled to hold my pride, suddenly I broke down and I cried
I tried to remain strong, but your words brought me to my knees and I cried uncontrollably.
Truly yours
You signed the letter with a lie, knowing that I was no longer yours.
When you know that you're no longer truly mine
You were aware that we had broken up, but you pretended that we were still together.
And you know you're no longer truly, truly mine
You were not just lying to me, but you were also lying to yourself.
I'm left behind
You moved on, but I was still stuck in the past.
Now, it's painfully clear that you can conceal
You were skilled at hiding your true feelings behind empty words.
Your feelings behind lies
You were pretending to be someone you were not, and I fell for it.
And I feel so foolish to have ever believed you
I was naive to believe your words and your lies.
And to think I even cried
I gave you power over me, and you used it to hurt me.
But that's one thing I'll never understand
I will never understand how you could be so heartless and cruel.
How you'd find the nerve to take a pen in your hand?
You were so brazen that you could lie to me so easily.
Truly yours
You signed the letter with a false promise, knowing that we were over.
When you know, you were never truly mine
You were never truly mine, but you pretended that you were.
Just mean you've been lying
Your lies hurt me deeply, and I cannot forgive you.
Although you're gone and I'm left alone
You left me devastated and alone.
And we are so, so far apart
We are now separated by distance and time.
The shell of a man that you discard behind
You used me and then threw me away like a piece of garbage.
Still love you with all his heart baby
Despite everything, I still love you deeply.
Truly yours
You signed the letter as if to mock me, knowing that we were no longer together.
And you know that you were never-never-never truly mine
You were never mine, and you never cared about my feelings.
How did you sign it truly yours, baby?
You signed it with false promises and empty words.
When you know, you know you were never truly mine
You were aware that we were over, but you still chose to lie to me.
Oh baby
My heart aches for you, but I know that you do not feel the same.
How did you sign it, truly yours?
You signed it with lies and empty promises, knowing that I would be hurt by your words.
Truly yours, that's how you signed it
You signed with a false promise, pretending that we were still together.
Though you signed it letters, truly yours
You signed it with a lie, and I knew that we were really over.
And you know, you know you were never, truly mine
You played with my emotions, pretending that you cared when you never did.
I'm left behind
You moved on easily, but I was left behind, heartbroken and alone.
Writer(s): W. Stevenson, I. Hunter
Contributed by Audrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.