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.
You've Got To Earn It
The Temptations Lyrics
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To get stones from a rock, you've got to break it
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
To get bread from dough, you've got to bake it
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
To get water from a faucet, you've got to turn it
And if you want my love, if you want my love
You've got to earn it (earn it, earn it, earn it)
To get fire from a match, you've got to strike it
(Strike it, strike it, strike it, strike it)
To get the feeling from a kiss, you've got to like it
(Like it, like it, like it, like it)
To get ashes from wood, you've got to burn it
And if you want my love, if you want my love
You've got to earn it (earn it, earn it, earn it)
You've got to treat me kind, all the time
Throw the other guys right out of your mind
(Yeah, yeah)
Now listen
To make broken things work, you've got to fix them
(Fix them, fix them, fix them, fix them)
To make two things one, you've got to mix them
(Mix them, mix them, mix them, mix them)
To get butter from milk, you've got to chum it
And if you want my love, if you want my love
You've got to earn it (earn it, earn it, earn it)
If you deserve it you can get it
I'll be glad to see you with it
Just show me that you love me
And that you're thinking of me
You can get it in a hurry
The Temptations's song "You've Got To Earn It" highlights the idea that nothing comes easy in life, and if someone wants to earn love, they have to work for it. The song asserts that, just like how one must "break" rocks or "bake" bread to get something out of them, one must put in the effort to gain someone's love, be kind and thoughtful, and keep others out of mind.
The lyrics are very relatable in terms of relationships as it is a mutual understanding that if you want love, you need to respect it and work hard to obtain it. Love requires effort and time, and it cannot be won over by simply making empty promises. To gain someone's affections, the other person should feel valued, appreciated and desired.
The chorus focuses on the fact that love is not given freely, and it needs to be earned. However, it also leaves room for hope that if the other person proves deserving, the love can be obtained in a hurry.
Line by Line Meaning
To get stones from a rock, you've got to break it
In order to attain something valuable, one must put in effort and work hard towards it; just like how you must break a rock to obtain stones.
To get bread from dough, you've got to bake it
To achieve a desirable outcome, you must follow the necessary steps to obtain it, like how bread must be baked from dough to become a satisfying food item.
To get water from a faucet, you've got to turn it
In order to access something, you must put in the required effort like turning a faucet to release water. Similarly, if you want someone's love, you must earn it by showing your efforts towards them.
And if you want my love, if you want my love, You've got to earn it
If you desire my love, you must prove it by working hard and showing how much I mean to you.
To get fire from a match, you've got to strike it
To produce a desired result, you must put in effort towards it, like how striking a match produces fire, and it takes effort to light it too.
To get the feeling from a kiss, you've got to like it
To be able to appreciate a thing's value, you must first like it - as kissing creates the feeling of love, it must be appreciated in order to enjoy it fully.
To get ashes from wood, you've got to burn it
To achieve something, it may require you to make some sacrifices or put in some hard work like burning wood to obtain ashes.
You've got to treat me kind, all the time. Throw the other guys right out of your mind
If you want my love, you must treat me with constant respect and appreciation and prioritize me over other people.
To make broken things work, you've got to fix them
To fix a problem, you must put in the necessary work and efforts towards it. Similarly, if you have a damaged relationship, you need to work on fixing it.
To make two things one, you've got to mix them
To create something new or more significant by combining two different things, you must put in the effort like how combining elements make up a new product.
To get butter from milk, you've got to chum it
To achieve a result, you must go through the process to obtain it - like how churning milk results in butter.
And if you want my love, if you want my love, You've got to earn it
If you want my love, you must work hard and earn it by putting in efforts in our relationship.
If you deserve it, you can get it. I'll be glad to see you with it
If you put in the required effort, you deserve the love you're striving for, and I'll be happy to see you achieve it.
Just show me that you love me And that you're thinking of me
To earn my love, you must consistently show me your affection and make an effort to keep me in your thoughts.
You can get it in a hurry
If you put in enough effort and prove your love towards me, you can attain my love quickly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CORNELIUS GRANT, SMOKEY ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind