The Temptations – It’s Growing: A Soulful Metaphor for Enduring Love
Ah, The Temptations! Few vocal groups in music history can match their smooth harmonies, electrifying dance moves, and their ability to capture the essence of love in all its complexities. Among their vast collection of hits, one song stands out for its infectious melody and clever use of metaphor: It’s Growing.
Background
Released in 1965, “It’s Growing” marked a pivotal moment for The Temptations. It followed their smash hit “My Girl,” the first song to feature the powerful vocals of David Ruffin as their lead singer.
“It’s Growing” served as a perfect follow-up, showcasing the group’s ability to deliver both soulful ballads and upbeat dance anthems.
The song climbed the charts, reaching number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, cementing its place as a soul classic.
The song’s narrative unfolds through a series of metaphors, all used to describe the narrator’s ever-growing love for his significant other.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Like a snowball rolling down the side of a snow covered hill, it’s growingLike the size of a fish that the man claims broke his reel, it’s growingLike a rosebud blooming in the warm of the summer sun, it’s growingLike the tale by the time it’s been told by more than one, woo, it’s growingEveryday it grows a little more than it was the day beforeMy love for you just grows and growsOh, how it grows and growsAnd where it’s gonna stop I’m sure, nobody knowsHow it grows, and it grows, and it grows(Nobody knows) woo, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah(Nobody knows, it grows, it grows, where is it gonna stop)Woo, like a need in a guy to see his girlWhen she’s gone away, it’s growingLike the sadness in his little heartWhen he knows that she’s gone to stay, woo, it growingEveryday it grows a little more than it was the day beforeMy love for you just grows and growsOh, how it grows and it growsAnd where it’s gonna stop I’m sure, nobody knowsit gets a little wider(Nobody knows) oh, it gets a little stronger(Hey, hey, hey) the feeling for each kiss, baby(Hey, hey, hey) oh, it lasts a little longer, yeah(Hey, hey, hey) oh, so much oh, so muchCan’t you see it’s growing, babyIt grows, and it grows, and it grows, and it grows