The original Temptations version of "Get Ready", produced by Smokey Robinson, was designed as an answer to the latest dance craze, "The Duck". The Temptations' falsetto Eddie Kendricks sings lead on the song, which Robinson produced as an up-tempo dance number with a prominent rhythm provided by Motown drummer Benny Benjamin.

In 1970, Motown's rock band Rare Earth released a cover version of the song as a single. Rare Earth's version of "Get Ready" was the band's first recording for Motown, and was based upon a version of the song it performed as the closing numbers to their live performances.

Their 45 RPM single version sold in excess of a million U.S. copies, earning a Gold certification from the RIAA. In the live show, each member of the band performed a solo, resulting in a twenty-one-minute rendition of the song. It has been debated on whether the actual recording for the album was really recorded at a concert. It has been noted that the audience sounds throughout the song are repetitive and canned. This has been done before with The Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie" released on an album with party crowd noise dubbed in.

Lyrics

I never met a girl could make me feel the way that you do

(You're all right)

Whenever I'm asked what makes a my dreams real

I tell 'em you do

(You're outta sight)

Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum

Look out baby now here I come

I'm bringin' you a love that's true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)

I'll stop makin' love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (I said I'm on my way)

Get ready, 'cause here I come

If you wanna play hide and seek with love, let me remind ya

(You're all right)

The lovin' you're gonna miss, and the time it takes to find ya

(You're outta sight)

Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum

Look out baby now here I come

I'm bringin' you a love that's true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)

I'll stop makin' love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (I said I'm on my way)

Get ready, 'cause here I come

If all of my friends shouldn't want me to, I think I'll understand

(You're alright)

I hope I get to you before they do 'cause, that's how I planned it

(You're outta sight)

Well fee-fi fo-fo-fum, look out baby, said here I come

I'm bringin' you a love that's true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)

I'll stop makin' love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (I said I'm on my way now)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (oh)

If you wanna play hide and seek with love, let me remind ya

(You're all right)

The lovin' you're gonna miss, and the time it takes to find ya

(You're outta sight)

Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum

Look out baby now here I come

I'm bringin' you a love that's true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)

I'll stop makin' love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (I said I'm on my way now)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (oh)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (hey, get ready, baby)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (you gotta get ready, ready)

Get ready, 'cause here I come (baby here I come)

Songwriters: William Robinson Jr.

Get Ready lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC