Introduction
“Paradise” belongs to a very different chapter of The Temptations’ story, long before the group became one of Motown’s biggest names. Released in 1962 on Gordy Records, the song came during the group’s early years, when they were still trying to find the sound and lineup that would eventually make them famous. Eddie Kendricks took the lead with the light falsetto that would later become one of the group’s most recognizable features, while Melvin Franklin’s deep bass helped give the recording its balance. Berry Gordy wrote and produced “Paradise,” but the single did not become a major chart success. At the time, The Temptations were still several years away from the run of hits that would define them.
Background
That makes the record interesting for a different reason. It lets listeners hear the group before “My Girl,” before “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and before the polished Motown sound most people associate with their name. The voices were already there, but the formula was still developing. The B-side, “Slow Down Heart,” also became important because it marked an early connection with Smokey Robinson. That relationship would grow stronger, and Robinson later played a major role in shaping some of The Temptations’ breakthrough recordings.
So “Paradise” is not remembered because it topped the charts. It matters because it captures a group still in transition, working toward the sound that would soon become unmistakable. Sometimes the most interesting records are not the biggest hits. They are the ones that show what an artist sounded like just before everything changed.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Why don’t you come, come back to my paradise
Baby, to my paradise
Come back to my paradise
Baby, to my paradise
Why don’t you come to my island of paradise
Oh, oh it would be so nice with you back in my arms again
With you back in my arms againAnd baby can you tel me when
You’ll be back in my arms again
You can make me so happy
You can make me so happyI cry when I go to sleep
So sorry that we broke up
But then I dream that you’re in my arms
With all your charms
And I yi yi yi don’t wanna wake up
Don’t wanna wake up
Don’t wanna wake up, no no no noI was wrong from the very start
I hope you have a change of heart
And come back to paradise
Come on, back to paradise
Please come one back
Come back to my paradise
Baby, to my paradise
Come back to my paradise baby,
To my paradise.