The Temptations, “I Can’t Get Next to You” | Throwback Vibez

On the 22^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “I Can’t Get Next to You” by The Temptations. 

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he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 22^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “I Can’t Get Next to You”, performed by The Temptations.

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Theme & Lyrics  

“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).” Woo! “I Can’t Get Next to You” ranks among the best of the greatest hits by iconic soul collective, The Temptations. The Barrett Strong / Norman Whitfield penned record appears as the opener on the Grammy-winning group’s 1969 album, Puzzle People.  It’s by far the biggest song from that album. Notably, “I Can’t Get Next to You” spent two weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It’s easy to hear why.

On the hella funky “I Can’t Get Next to You,” The Temptations, each singing solo parts at times, share about all the things they can do. “I can turn the gray sky blue,” they asserts in the first verse, continuing, “I can’ make it rain whenever I want it to.” Even with all these things the Motown group can accomplish (“Unimportant are all the things I can do”), it’s the thing that they can’t accomplish that makes it a winner – getting next to her!  Makes sense – love can be a total five-letter word! Besides the list of accomplishments, the high-flying, once-in-a-lifetime vocals, and the unforgettable chorus, another pro from “I Can’t Get Next to You” is the bridge:

“Ooh

Ooh

Chicka boom, chicka boom

Chicka boom, boom, boom.”

Naturally, those silly but fun lyrics up the ante on this late 1960s gem.  

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Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “I Can’t Get Next to You” is a rad soul cut.  It’s well-performed, well-written, and well-produced. The Temptations have a strong argument for the definitive version of the song.  That said, Al Green has his own, totally different version that also deserves rad characterization.  Honestly, they just don’t make songs like “I Can’t Get Next to You” anymore!

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The Temptations • Puzzle People • Motown • 1969

The Temptations, “I Can’t Get Next to You”: Throwback Vibez No. 22 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, cotton bro,  Motown, The Musical Hype]

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