“I’ve Never Been To Me” is interesting for a couple of reasons:
Original Artist: Originally, the song wasn’t sung by The Temptations. It was written by Ron Miller and Kenneth Hirsch and recorded by singer Charlene in 1977. Her version achieved minor success at the time.
Revival by The Temptations: The Temptations’ version came about in 1982 thanks to a radio DJ, Scott Shannon. He played Charlene’s version on his station and listener response was so strong, it prompted a re-release of the song. Motown, capitalizing on the renewed interest, had The Temptations record their own version for their “Reunion” album. This version became a major hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Themes
The song explores themes of:
Disillusionment: The lyrics, from the perspective of a woman who’s traveled the world and experienced a glamorous life, express a sense of emptiness despite all she’s seen and done. The line “I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me” highlights this feeling.
Longing for Connection: Despite the seemingly exciting life, the narrator yearns for something more meaningful, a deeper connection that her experiences haven’t provided.
Regret: There’s a sense of reflection and perhaps regret about the choices that led to this emptiness.
While the song was originally written for a female vocalist, The Temptations’ version effectively translates these themes through their powerful vocals and emotional delivery.
Hey lady, you, lady, cursin’ at your life You’re a discontented mother and a rich inventive wife I’ve no doubt you dream about the things you’ll never do But I wish someone had a talked to me like I wanna talk to you
Ooh I’ve been to Georgia and California, oh, anywhere I could run Took the hand of a preacher man and we made love in the sun But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me
Please lady, please, lady, don’t just walk away Cause I have this need to tell you why I’m all alone today I can see so much of me still living in your eyes Won’t you share a part of a weary heart that has lived a million lies
Oh I’ve been to Nice and the isle of Greece While I sipped champagne on a yacht I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo and showed ’em what I’ve got I’ve been undressed by kings and I’ve seen some things That a woman ain’t s’posed to see I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me
Hey, you know what paradise is? It’s a lie. A fantasy we create about People and places as we’d like them to be. But you know what truth is? It’s that little baby you’re holding, and it’s that man you fought with This morning, the same one you’re going to make love with tonight. That’s truth, that’s love
Sometimes I’ve been to cryin’ for unborn children That might have made me complete But I, I took the sweet life and never knew I’d be bitter from the sweet I spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that cost too much to be free Hey lady, I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me
I’ve been to paradise, never been to me (I’ve been to Georgia and California, and anywhere I could run) I’ve been to paradise, never been to me (I’ve been to Nice and the isle of Greece While I sipped champagne on a yacht) I’ve been to paradise, never been to me (I’ve been to cryin’ for unborn children)
