Behind Every Song Is A Story
Sometimes the story of how a song became a Temptations song is very interesting. People ask me all the time about the meaning of a song or how the song was created. So from time to time I'll tell you a story about a song we love to sing.
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'Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)' Jim Weatherly wrote 'Neither One Of Us' and others including 'Midnight Train To Georgia.' When we were deciding what songs to record for 'Reflections', I wanted to do 'Neither' but knew it would be a special challenge. Anytime you come up behind Gladys and The Pips it better be just as good or better. Otherwise just leave it alone. So this is The Temptations expression of this song. Gladys was the lead on this and with our version, we share the leads and sing together as one. We bring a group sound to it. We wanted to give our version of 'Neither One Of Us' a sparkle of its own and I think this is accomplished with the walk down harmony. 'Reflections' is available at my online store. Check it out! Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) It's sad to think we're not gonna make it And it's gotten to the point where we just can't fake it But for some ungodly reason we just won't let it die I guess neither one of us wants to be the first to say goodbye. I keep wondering what I'll do without you And I guess you must be wondering that same thing too So we go on together living a lie Because neither one of us wants to be the first to say goodbye. Every time I find the nerve to say I'm leaving Old melodies get in the way Lord knows it's only me that I'm deceiving When it comes to saying goodbye that's a world I just can't say. There can be no way this can have a happy ending So we just go on hurting and pretending And convincing ourselves to give it just one more try Because neither one of us wants to be the first to say Farewell my love, goodbye. |
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Can't Get Next To You Released in March, 1969 the album titled "Cloud Nine" featured songs from what critics like to call our "psychedelic phase." "Can't Get Next To You" went to #1 in July, 1969. I remember we were on tour in Minnesota when the gold record was delivered to us. Contrary to popular belief this song is not about drugs - but about changing your attitude. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett StrongJim, Norman's musical arrangement set this and the other songs from "Cloud Nine" apart from any other sound we did before. And, to Norman's credit we created a sound that is uniquely our own. Today, thirty eight years later "Cant Get Next To You" still gets a lot of action - click here to listen to a sample or buy the cd at my online store. Can't Get Next To You I Can turn a gray sky blue. I can make it rain, whenever I wanted to. Oh, I I can build a castle from a single grain of sand. I can make a ship sail, uh, on dry land. But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue. 'Cause I can't get next to you. I can't get next to you, babe. (Next to you) I can't get next to you. (I just can't get next you) I can't get next to you, babe. I can't get next to you. I Can fly like a bird in the sky. Hey, and I can buy anything that money can buy. Oh, I I can turn a river into a raging fire. I can live forever if I so desired. Unimportant are all the things I can do. 'Cause I can't get next to you. I can't get next to you, babe. (No matter what I do) I can't get next to you. Uh-ya Ooo-Ooo Ooo-Ooo Chica boom, chica boom Chica boom, boom, boom I can turn back the hands of time, you better believe I can. I I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand. Oh, I I can change anything from old to new. The things I want to do the most, I'm unable to do. Unhappy am I with all the powers I possess. 'Cause girl you're the key to my happiness. And I Can't get next to you. Girl, you're blowing my mind 'cause I can't get...(Next to you) Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get... (Next to you) Girl, it's you that I need. I gotta get...(Next to you) Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get... (Next to you) I, I, I, I... I can't get...(Next to you) I, I, I, I... I can't get...(Next to you) Girl, you're blowing my mind... |
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Since I Lost My Baby Sometimes the story of how a song became a Temptations song is very interesting. People ask me all the time about the meaning of a song or how the song was created. So from time to time I'll tell you a story about a song we love to sing. Released in November, 1965 the album titled "Temptin' Temptations" features one of my favorite songs. Written by Smokey Robinson and Warren "Pete" Moore 'Since I Lost My Baby' features a string arrangement inspired by music from the film 'The Magnificent Seven.' I love the strings on this song! David really delivers it too. It is always wonderful to hear other folks sing this -- two of my favorite versions are by Luther Vandross and Michael McDonald. Click here to listen to a sample. Since I Lost My Baby The sun is shining, there's plenty of light (oh yeah) A new day is dawning, sunny and bright (oh yeah) But after I've been crying all night The sun is cold, and the new day seems old Since I lost my baby. (Since I lost my baby.) Oh, since I lost my baby. (Oh, since I lost my baby.) The birds are singing and the children are playing There's plenty of work and the bosses are paying Not a sad word should a young heart be saying But fun is a bore and with money I'm poor. Since I lost my baby. (Since I lost my baby.) Oh, since I lost my baby. (Oh, since I lost my baby.) Next time I'll be kinder (Next time I'll be kinder) Won't you please help me find her (Won't you please help me find her) Someone just remind her (Someone just remind her) Of this love she left behind her (Of this love she left behind her) Till I find her I'll be trying ta (Till I find her I'll be trying ta) Everyday I'm more inclined ta Find her Inclined ta Find her Inclined ta find my baby Been looking everywhere (ba--by) Baby, I really, really care! Oh, determination is fading fast (oh yeah) Inspiration is a thing of the past (oh yeah) Can't see how my hope's gonna last Good things are bad and what's happy is sad Since I lost my baby. (Since I lost my baby.) Oh, since I lost my baby. (Oh, since I lost my baby.) I feel so bad (since I lost my baby) I feel so sad (since I lost my baby) Everything is wrong This heart is hard to carry on (since I lost my baby) I'm lost as can be (since I lost my baby) What's gonna happen to me? |