About the song
“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” is a classic soul song by The Temptations, released in 1966 under Motown Records’ Gordy label. Produced by Norman Whitfield and written by Whitfield along with Edward Holland Jr., this track stands out as a defining moment in Motown’s rich musical history. The song achieved significant success, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Pop Chart and securing the top spot on the Billboard R&B charts for eight non-consecutive weeks.
The song’s success was a turning point for The Temptations. Prior to this hit, the group’s previous single, “Get Ready,” had not performed as well as anticipated. This led to Norman Whitfield replacing Smokey Robinson as the main producer for The Temptations. Whitfield’s vision for “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” was clear from the beginning, although it faced some challenges during its production.
Initially, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” struggled to pass Motown’s Quality Control meetings. Despite Berry Gordy’s initial feedback that the song was good but needed “more story,” Whitfield pressed on, reworking the track and pushing the boundaries of David Ruffin’s vocal range. Ruffin’s intense efforts during the recording sessions, characterized by sweat and strain, highlighted the high stakes of the project.
In the end, both “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “Get Ready” were presented at the same Quality Control meeting. While Smokey Robinson’s track was chosen for release, Whitfield’s song was temporarily shelved. However, Berry Gordy later promised that “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” would be released if “Get Ready” did not achieve Top 20 status on the Billboard Pop Chart. The promise was kept, and the song went on to become a timeless classic.
In 2004, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” earned further recognition by being ranked number 94 in AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs poll, largely thanks to its inclusion in the popular film soundtrack of *The Big Chill*. The song has also been covered by notable artists like The Rolling Stones and Rick Astley, cementing its place in music history.
Video
Lyrics
I know you wanna leave me
But I refuse to let you go
If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy
I don’t mind, ’cause you mean that much to me
Ain’t too proud to beg and you know it (sweet darlin’)
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)
Ain’t too proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me, girl (don’t you go)
Now I heard a cryin’ man
Is half a man, with no sense of pride
But if I have to cry to keep you
I don’t mind weepin’ if it’ll keep you by my side
Ain’t too proud to beg, sweet darlin’
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)
Ain’t too proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)
If I have to sleep on your doorstep
All night and day
Just to keep you from walkin’ away
Let your friends laugh, even this I can stand
‘Cause I wanna keep you, any way I can
Ain’t too proud to beg (sweet darlin’)
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)
Ain’t too proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)
Now I’ve gotta love so deep, in the pit of my heart
And each day it grows more and more
I’m not ashamed to come, and plead to you baby
If pleadin’ keeps you from, walkin’ out that door
Ain’t too proud to beg and you know it (sweet darlin’)
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)
Ain’t too proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby (sweet darling’)