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.
Who Are You
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I treated you bad, bad, bad, bad
And wrong my dear
And since
Since you been away
Don't cha know
I sit around
With my head hangin' down
Who's lovin' you
I, I, I, I, I, I should have never, never ever
Ever made you cry
And since
Little girl since you been gone, I want you to know
Don't cha know
I sit around
With my head hangin' down
And I, I wonder
Who's lovin' you
Listen, life without love
Is oh so lonely
I don't think, that I, I want you to know that
I don't think
That I'm gonna make it
All of my life
All my love
Belongs to you only
Come on home girl
Come on and take it
Because
I can do
All I can do
Since you been gone
And you, you, you, you baby ever wonder in a worry about what I do
Don't cha know I
Sit around
Believe me, baby, with my head hangin' down
And I, I wonder
Who's lovin' you
The Temptations's song Who's Lovin' You is a classic R&B tune that speaks about regret and heartbreak. The song is a plea from a man who has lost the love of his life, expressing his heartache and longing as he wonders who is now the recipient of her love. The lyrics begin with the singer admitting to having mistreated his partner when they were together, causing her to leave him. He now spends his days thinking about her, and wallowing in his own regret. The chorus ("And I wonder, who's lovin' you") reinforces the theme of loss and the singer's persistent questioning of his ex-partner's newfound love.
The second verse of the song reveals that the singer is aware of the fact that his treatment of his partner was cruel and unjustified. He acknowledges that he should have never made her cry and that he is aware that he deserves to be alone. The third verse brings in the theme of loneliness and the emptiness that one can experience when they do not have love in their life. The singer implores his ex-partner to come back to him, as he cannot live without her love. He confesses that he loves her and that all his love belongs to her. The song ends with the singer's declaration of his devotion, and his provocative question to his ex: "Don't cha know I sit around, Believe me, baby, with my head hangin' down And I, I wonder who's lovin' you."
Line by Line Meaning
When I had you
In the past, when I was in a relationship with you
I treated you bad, bad, bad, bad
I behaved poorly towards you and made you unhappy
And wrong my dear
I realize now that my actions were hurtful and unjust
And since
Ever since the breakup
Since you been away
Since you left and have not been in my life
Don't cha know
Do you not know?
I sit around
I spend my time doing nothing productive
With my head hangin' down
Feeling ashamed and regretful
And i, I wonder
I constantly think about
Who's lovin' you
Who is giving you the love and affection that I failed to provide?
I, I, I, I, I, I should have never, never ever
I deeply regret having caused you pain and wish I had never done so
Ever made you cry
I am sorry for having caused you to shed tears
Little girl since you been gone, I want you to know
Since you left, I want you to be aware
Listen, life without love
I have come to realize that a life without love
Is oh so lonely
Is extremely lonely and miserable
I don't think, that I, I want you to know that
I want you to know that I do not believe that
I don't think
I am not convinced
That I'm gonna make it
I am not sure I can survive without you
All of my life
For as long as I live
All my love
All the love I have to give
Belongs to you only
Is reserved only for you
Come on home girl
I want you to come back to me
Come on and take it
Take all the love I have to offer
Because
The reason is that
I can do
I am capable of
All I can do
Doing everything I am capable of
Since you been gone
Since you left me
And you, you, you, you baby ever wonder in a worry about what I do
If you have ever wondered or worried about what I am doing
Don't cha know I
Do you not know that I
Sit around
Spend my time doing nothing productive
Believe me, baby, with my head hangin' down
Trust me when I say that I feel ashamed and regretful
And I, I wonder
I constantly think about
Who's lovin' you
Who is giving you the love and affection that I failed to provide?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind