I Can't Get Next To You Lyrics
This song is probably my favorite of all time. So much so that I became a member here to add comments about it. This song has all four of the elements necessary for a great song. For me, a truly great rock ‘n’ roll song must have the following:
1) The “shake your booty” factor. 2) A musical hook/grove that won’t let you go 3) A lyrical edge that makes it interesting at another level. This edge can be anything, love, drugs, lust, sexual, social-political, or just a great story. 4) Most importantly, it has to make you want to be the star. The song has to be fun to sing.
I first heard this song as a ninth grader and have loved it for nearly 40 years. My friend Steve and I grooved out this 45 on his portable record player listening in the photo darkroom of our Junior High School.
I have no idea if there is some other allegorical meaning to this song but for me, it will always be about unrequited love/lust (I ‘m sure someone will say this song is about drugs). The song tells the sad saga of someone who has infinite confidence and abilities but pales in comparison to the object of lust. The Temps sing with a passion and a frenzy that echoes my early crushes, knowing that I would never be able to approach the girl. Absolutely wonderful stuff. This is what rock ‘n’ roll is all about!
Nice review, grogley!
I just want to add that this songs brings to mind the literary technique known as "unreliable narrator." Obviously the narrator can not, for example, "build a castle from a single grain of sand."
The listener understands that the narrator can't do ANY of the things he claims to be able to do; but the listener does believe that the narrator, with his fast talking, ladykiller spiel can and will "get next" to his target!
I prefer when the lyrics are broken up by singer, because the juxtaposition of artists reveals more meaning - one that parallels a single man's love with many qualified bachelors who love the same girl and not one can "get next to her." The reason being, she can't decide between them and they're trying too hard to impress her. "Can't get next to you" probably implies sex, but it could also imply that they can't get next/close to her emotionally.
I love that the lyrics are so real and tell a story about a common dilemma: the classic, we want what we can't have theme and the girl who can't decide between great guys because she has too many options.
Most importantly though, the Temptations are awesome for expressing the emotions we feel and cherish in songs that we can play when ever we want!
Everything's perfect. Production, beat, vocals. Basically, it says that even if you can do amazing things, have great power, or influence, it's not enough to make someone love you. A sad song that makes you feel good.