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.
Way Over There
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know that's where I should be
Don't you know
I've got a lover way over there across the river wide
I can hear her calling to me
Oh, she's calling my name
So sweet so plain I can hear her saying
(Come to me, baby)
(Come to me baby)
I'm gonna stay
(Come to me baby)
They tell me that the river's too deep
And it's much too wide
Boy, you can't get over to the other side
But they don't know I got to get there
And hold her in my arms just one more time
Like I did before when she was mine, all mine
'Cause I hear her saying,
(Come to me baby)
I'm on my way
(Come to me baby)
I'm gonna stay
I'm gonna get to you
No matter what I have to do
The lyrics of The Temptations' song Way Over There depict the struggles of separation and the longing desire to reunite with someone we love. The lyrics speak of the singer's lover being situated on the mountain side and across the river wide, calling out the singer's name to come to her. The singer expresses a strong urge to be with her, where she rightly belongs, and that he can hear her call to him oh so sweet and plain. The singer is adamant about going to her, despite people telling him that the river is too deep and wide to cross. Nevertheless, he knows he has to hold her in his arms one more time, just like he did when she was his.
The song's message of love and yearning is delivered through evocative imagery and raw emotion. The repetition of the phrase "Come to me, baby," conveys a sense of urgency and desire, while the metaphorical references to mountains and rivers add depth and soulfulness to the song's overall tone. The way the lyrics are structured, highlighting the singer's determination and willingness to overcome physical barriers, not only reflect the struggles of long-distance love but of life's obstacles in general.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a lover way over there on the mountain side
I have a significant other who is situated on the mountain side, away from where I am currently located.
And I know that's where I should be
I am aware that I should be with my significant other on the mountain side.
Don't you know
Do you not understand?
I've got a lover way over there across the river wide
My significant other is located across a wide river from me.
I can hear her calling to me
I can hear my significant other calling out to me, beckoning for me to come to her.
Oh, she's calling my name
She is calling out my name specifically.
So sweet so plain I can hear her saying
Her voice is so sweet and clear that I can easily hear the words she is saying to me.
(Come to me, baby)
She is asking me to come to her using a term of endearment.
I'm on my way
I am already on my way to her location.
(Come to me baby)
She is once again asking me to come to her using a term of endearment.
I'm gonna stay
Once I arrive, I plan on remaining with her for a duration of time.
(Come to me baby)
She is making the same request for me to come to her, using the same term of endearment.
They tell me that the river's too deep
Others have informed me that the river is too deep to cross safely.
And it's much too wide
Furthermore, the river is also too wide to make it across easily.
Boy, you can't get over to the other side
They do not believe that I will be able to make it across the river to the other side.
But they don't know I got to get there
However, they are not aware of my determination to reach my significant other regardless.
And hold her in my arms just one more time
I desire to be close to her physically and hold her in my embrace once again.
Like I did before when she was mine, all mine
I reminisce about a time when she was previously entirely committed to me.
'Cause I hear her saying,
The sound of her voice echoes in my mind.
(Come to me baby)
She asks once more for me to come to her using a term of endearment.
I'm on my way
I am en route to her location currently.
(Come to me baby)
She repeats the same request using the same term of endearment.
I'm gonna stay
Once I reach her, I intend on remaining by her side for an extended period.
I'm gonna get to you
I am determined to arrive at her location for the sake of being with her once more.
No matter what I have to do
I will stop at nothing to reach her regardless of the challenges that may arise.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind