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.
Why Did She Have To Leave Me
The Temptations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I found it hard to say
You were special in my life
Never thought youd go away
I'll get by
Without you in my life
I can see
Through your lies
Did you ever love me
I never found your love
You and I know
Love is leaving
And you don't want me anymore
Why should I
Even try
You and I know
Love is leaving
Now you're the last thing on my mind
Someone else
I will find
A memory I've left behind
If I ever made you cry
Any reason I can't find
It was lonely by your side
Like a fool, I stood by you
I'll be strong
I'll get by
Without you in my life
I can see
Through your lies
Did you ever love me
I never found your love
You and I know
Love is leaving
And you don't want me anymore
Why should I
Even try
You and I know
Love is leaving
Now you're the last thing on my mind
Someone else
I will find
A memory I've left behind
Is there something I could do
Is there something I should say
Is there someone else to keep you from
And now (Woah, woah, yeah, yeah yeah-yeah-yeah)
You and I know
Love is leaving
And you don't want me anymore
Why should I
Even try
You and I know
Love is leaving
Now you're the last thing on my mind
Someone else
I will find
A memory I've left behind
You and I know
Love is leaving
And you don't want me anymore
Why should I
Even try
You and I know
Love is leaving
Now you're the last thing on my mind
Why should I
Even try
The Temptations’ song, “Why Did She Have to Leave Me,” is a classic R&B tune that explores the pain and confusion that comes with a breakup. The lyrics express the singer's regret for not fully acknowledging how important the relationship was until it was over. He feels betrayed and deceived by the person he loved because he finds it hard to comprehend why she had to leave him. He tries to stay strong and move on, but the memories keep him tied to the past, and the pain of losing her is too much to bear at times.
The lyrics are straightforward, but the depth of emotion encapsulated within them is profound. The singer is grappling with his feelings of abandonment and betrayal, and he struggles to accept that the love he thought was real may never have existed. The lines, “Did you ever love me, I never found your love,” express his doubt and waning trust in the relationship he once cherished. The repeated phrase, “You and I know love is leaving,” is a somber reminder that love can fade, and sometimes, relationships come to an end, even if one person is not ready to let go.
Overall, the song reflects the complexities of love and relationships. It highlights the pain of heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on when our hearts feel broken. It reminds us that sometimes even our best efforts may not be enough to save a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
There were times I knew
I am aware of the moments when things started going wrong in our relationship.
But I found it hard to say
I struggled to express my concerns and feelings to you.
You were special in my life
You held a significant position in my world.
Never thought youd go away
I never imagined that you would leave me.
I'll be strong
I will find the strength to move on.
I'll get by
I will survive without you in my life.
Without you in my life
I have to learn how to live life without your presence.
I can see
I understand the truth about our relationship now.
Through your lies
I am aware of the deceit in your behavior towards me.
Did you ever love me
I question if you genuinely loved me.
I never found your love
I never truly received the love and care I deserved from you.
You and I know
Both of us are aware that our relationship is coming to an end.
Love is leaving
The love and affection that once bound us together is fading away.
And you don't want me anymore
You have lost interest in me and our relationship.
Why should I
I am questioning why I should continue to hold on to something that is ending.
Even try
Any effort to save our relationship appears to be futile and pointless.
Now you're the last thing on my mind
You are no longer my priority anymore.
Someone else
I will search for someone who will love and appreciate me as I deserve.
I will find
I am optimistic that I will discover true love.
A memory I've left behind
I will cherish memories of our happy times together, but it's time to move forward.
Is there something I could do
I am willing to do anything to save our relationship.
Is there something I should say
I am attempting to find the right words to express how I feel and make you stay.
Is there someone else to keep you from
I am wondering if there is another person who is causing problems in our relationship.
Now (Woah, woah, yeah, yeah yeah-yeah-yeah)
This is the reality of our situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pastor K
Why did she have to leave, why did she have to say goodbye
Once upon a time, my girl and me,
Shared our love so tenderly,
Then came the day, she said the words goodbye,
If she only knew how she changed my life,
She was my life, the world to me,
But when she left, she took the best of me.
Chorus: Why did she have to leave, why did she have to say goodbye, I want to know, Girl come home, so I can dry my weeping eyes.
A shadow of man, that is all I am,
Since that girl has been gone,
Was it me oh what it truly be,
Only yesterday I was king on the throne
Her whereabouts, I wish I knew,
I want to her to know
without her in my life is blue.
Chorus: Why did she have to leave, why did she have to say goodbye, I want to know, Girl come home, so I can dry my weeping eyes.
She didn’t have to go,
That girl knew how much I love her so
She was the life of my world
The one and only girl, for me, oh oh
Chorus: Why did she have to leave, why did she have to say goodbye, I want to know, Girl come home, and so I can dry my weeping eyes.
I can stand it without you
Since you have been gone,
My world has is slowly turning to dust
So you see finding you I must
Chorus: Why did she have to leave, why did she have to say goodbye, I want to know, Girl come home, so I can dry my weeping eyes.
AJ. McGowan
This was one of the best songs, possibly the best song from the album in my opinion. The lyrics, the sweet harmonies makes this smooth ballad a true classic. You can keep Cloud Nine and Run Away Child, I'm sticking with this one....
biggerthomazz
My favorite Dennis Edward led song with the Temptations. The Cloud Nine album was an all-time fav
Michael Williams
Mine too!!!
odiecalodie
Me Too!
Anthony Stewart
yes yes
Esther Ingram
what I like about this album is that although the group went in a different direction, there are still some love songs on this masterpeice. credit this to the great Norman whitfield.
Geraldine Eleby
I woke this morning with this song in my head. Dennis had a raw soulful voice,displayed on this track. Love this song.May he rest in heavenly peace. TEMPTATIONS FOREVER .
Michael Williams
Saw Dennis on Festival AT Sea Cruise in 1998. Saw him getting food the next day, asked him to sing this song, Dennis put down his juice and tore this song up!!! that's a singer! Badass!!
Murray Crews
Wish I could have been there. Greatest lead singer of any group ever in my opinion.
George Phinn
The Temps made a LOT of hit records “My Girl” is the one that everyone remembers but “Why Did She Have To Leave” with Dennis Edwards on the Lead is right up there with “My Girl”. This song tears at your heart - Why she had to leave why did she have to go - a guy looses his girl friend and his heart is suffering from torment - each and every one of us have gone thru that situation - this is one of the Best song from the Temps - Thanks Dennis Edwards - you did a Great Job - A number One Song in my book