"I Can't Get Next to You" catalogues worldly success rendered meaningless by romantic failure. The Temptations recorded it in 1969 as a song about a man who can do everything except reach the one person he wants. He can fly a plane, charm a crowd, make things happen. None of it matters. All his power collapses in the face of one person who does not respond. about the specific helplessness of wanting someone who does not want you back.