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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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... |