Funk

The song, which is about a man who has powers but isn’t complete because he can’t get next to the girl he loves, was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Gordy (Motown ) label. It was released as a single in 1969, backed with “Running Away (Ain’t Gonna Help You)”.  and it went to the top of the charts as #1 in both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B Chart. The song was also on The Temptations’  1969 album Puzzle People. On the track on lead and background vocals were Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. Instrumentation was provided by the fabulous Motown session musicians The Funk Brothers.

There have been numerous covers of the song. Other versions include those by The Osmonds, Al Green, Savoy Brown, The Jess Roden Band, Annie Lennox, Toto, and David Cassidy.

The Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history, which isn’t surprising since they have great songs, great harmonies, and great performances. There have been many personnel changes over the years, of course, and they still tour and perform.

Here are the lyrics to “I Can’t Get Next to You” by The Temptations:

“[Dennis:]  I can turn a gray sky blue.
[Melvin:] I can make it rain, whenever I wanted to.
Oh, I
[Eddie:] I can build a castle from a single grain of sand.
[Paul:] I can make a ship sail, uh, on dry land.

[Dennis:] 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.

[Dennis:] I can fly like a bird in the sky.
[Eddie:] Hey, and I can buy anything that money can buy.
Oh, I
[Paul:] I can turn a river into a raging fire.
[Melvin:] I can live forever if I so desire.

[Eddie:] 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

[Instrumental]

Ooo-Ooo
Ooo-Ooo
Chica boom, chica boom
Chica boom, boom, boom

[Dennis:] I can turn back the hands of time, you better believe I can.
I
[Otis:] I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand.
Oh, I
[Eddie:] I can change anything from old to new.
[Paul:] The things I want to do the most, I’m unable to do.

[Dennis:] Unhappy am I with all the powers I possess. ‘Cause girl you’re the key to my happiness.
[Eddie:] And I

Can’t get next to you.

[Dennis:]
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…”

For other songs by The Temptations: “My Girl,” “Ball of Confusion,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “I Can’t Get Next to You” by The Temptations.