About The Song

“I Can’t Get Next to You” by The Temptations was released as the second single from their 1969 album “Puzzle People”. It topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Top R&B Singles charts. The song was written by Motown songwriters Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, who also produced the track. Strong and Whitfield previously collaborated on The Temptations’ hit “Cloud Nine”.  Notably performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1969, the song remains iconic in soul music history.

The Temptations’ “I Can’t Get Next to You” explores themes of unrequited love and frustration when unable to connect with someone. The lyrics depict the narrator’s longing for a romantic connection, symbolized by their inability to perform extraordinary feats like turning the sky blue or making a ship sail on dry land. Its catchy melodies and powerful vocals have contributed to its lasting impact and popularity.