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Rolling Stones unreleased: I Can’t Get Next to You (live)
Written by: Whitfield/Strong Recorded: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, Aug. 1994
I Can’t Get Next to You by The Temptations is pure fire. Released in 1969, this track blends soul, funk, and a killer groove that made it an instant hit. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, it marked a shift from the group’s smoother soul sound to a more psychedelic, high-energy style that Whitfield was experimenting with at Motown.
Right from the start, with that explosive “Hold it, hold it, listen!” and the hard-hitting piano from Earl Van Dyke, you know this isn’t your typical love song. Instead of sweet romance, the lyrics are a mix of swagger and frustration. The Temptations take turns singing about having god-like powers—turning winter into summer, making the sky rain—but despite all that, they still can’t get close to the woman they love. It’s a brilliant contrast: ultimate confidence mixed with complete helplessness.
The instrumentation is electric. The bassline is relentless, the drums hit hard, and the horn section punches in with precision, giving the song a bold, larger-than-life feel. The call-and-response vocals add even more energy, making it feel like a conversation full of passion and desperation. Whitfield’s layered production was key in making the song stand out, pushing the boundaries of what a Motown track could sound like.
Unsurprisingly, I Can’t Get Next to Youshot straight to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Decades later, it still sounds as fresh and powerful as ever. It’s the kind of song that grabs you from the first note and never lets go—pure Motown magic at its absolute best.
After paying tribute to The Temptations’ by recording My Girl, Ain’ Too Proud to Beg andJust My Imagination through the years, in that order, The Stones decided to cover the song onstage during their Voodoo Lounge Tour in 1994 and 1995. Available in several live bootlegs from that tour.
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