During World War II, Ward was a commissioned officer and led the Coast Artillery Choir at Ford Eustis in Virginia. After the war he resumed his studies at the Chicago Art Institute and The Juilliard School in New York City. While pursuing a career as a vocal coach and part-time arranger on Broadway, he met talent agent Rose Marks, and they decided to form a vocal group from the ranks of his students; Clyde McPharrer, first tenor; Charlie White, second tenor: William Joseph Lamont, baritone; and Bill Brown, bass. In October 1950 they took first prize on the Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts television show. The Dominoes caught the ear of Ralph Bass of Federal Records, a new subsidiary of King. After coming up with original R&B material at the request of Bass, The Dominoes signed a contract with him. They laid down four tracks, all written by Ward and Marks, at the New York studio on November 14, 1950. Their first single was on the street in December.
"Do Something For Me" broke nationally in February 1951 and marched op the R&B charts to a respectable #6 position. Carried by the emphatic bass vocal of Bill Brown, "Sixty Minute Man" entered the R&B chart at the end of May 1951, rose quickly to #1. The demand for their personal appearances kept the group on the road and out of the studio until January 1952. Both Bill Brown and Charlie White bad been replaced, later to surface in a new group, The Checkers. They were replaced by bass singer David McNeil and second tenor James Van Loan. Two moderate hits, "I Am With You" and "That's What You're Doing To Me" kept the stores busy, and King/Federal owner Syd Nathan added a second shift to his pressing plant.
Ward's group clinched their title as she top R&B vocal group with another #1 hit in 1952. "Have Mercy Baby" was a storming rocker led by Clyde McPhatter at his frenzied best. Is was released in April 1952 and held the #1 R&B spot for ten weeks. Ward was depending more and more on McPhatter's unique gospel fervor, both on ballads and jump tunes, but McPhatter himself was virtually unknown to the public. Clyde McPhatter was born in Durham, North Catolina, on November 15, 1932. Like Ward, McPhatter was the son of a preacher father and organist mother. In 1945, the McPhatter family moved to New York City and Clyde was soon singing with the Mount Lebanon Singers, along with Charlie White. Joining The Dominoes as lead tenor was his first big break.
In the first week of September 1952, The Dominoes were working at the Michigan State Fair when Ward was approached by a young singer from Detroit named Jack Leroy Wilson. Wilson, born in Detroit on June 9,1934, had boxed under the name of "Sonny" Wilson and had been Golden Gloves Champion at the age of 16. He later sang with the Ever Ready Gospel Singers and an R&B group that included Hank Ballard and other future members of the Midnighters. Ward invited Wilson to join The Dominoes on tour. Working their way back East, the group stopped in Cincinnati on September 17 and did a double session, which turned out to be the last one for Clyde McPhatter. From this session came the hits "I'd Be Satisfied," "Pedal Pushin' Papa," "The Bells," and "These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You."
McPhatter decided to leave in April 1953 and was recording for Atlantic with his own group, The Drifters. Jackie Wilson took his place in the Dominoes and his first excursion as lead singer, "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down," was a Jukebox hit. None of the remaining Dominoes releases for King/Federal were very successful and Ward took his group to Jubilee Records in mid-1954. After just two singles, Ward landed a lucrative contract with Decca in April 1956 and the Dominoes' first record for that label, "St. Therese Of The Roses," enjoyed pop-chart action, attaining #27 on the Top 100.
As R&B fans were turning to groups such as the Midnighters, Drifters, Platters and Penguins, Ward still had not found a niche in pop music. His one-year contract with Decca expired and he moved his group again, this time to Liberty Records in April 1957. Finally he got the pop hit for which he had been striving since the Dominoes were formed. With the new lead voice of Eugene Momford, formerly with the Larks, "Star Dust" made #13 on the Top 100 in the summer of 1957 and sold for 24 weeks.
Billy Ward & His Dominoes never again enjoyed that success. Jackie Wilson worked out a deal with Ward to leave the group before their Liberty recordings and embarked on a highly acclaimed solo career, initially under the management of Billy Ward. He had 16 R&B and six Top 10 pop hits before he was felled by a stroke in 1975. Wilson survived for a hellish eight years before mercifully passing away in January 1984. Clyde MePhatter's career after he left the group reached the heights of pop stardom, but his decline in popularity in the late 1960s left him a broken man, he died in June 1972.
By Peter A. Grendysa, 1993
Source: The Master King Series, Rhino Records
Rags to Riches
Billy Ward & The Dominoes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you would only say you care
And though my pocket may be empty
I'd be a millionaire
My clothes may still be torn and tattered
But in my heart I'd be a king
Your love is all that ever mattered
So open your arms and you'll open the door
To every treasure that I'm hopin' for
Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more
Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you
Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you
The lyrics of "Rags To Riches" by Billy Ward paint a picture of a person who is hopeful for their future, but only if they receive the love and care that they desire from a certain someone. The singer pleads for this person to open their arms and let them in, to reveal to them a world of possibilities and great fortune that they can only achieve with the help of the one who holds the key.
The reference to rags and riches in the lyrics symbolizes the drastic change that the singer is hoping for in their life. They are expressing that they feel as though they are starting from nothing, or from "rags", and that with the right person by their side, they could achieve so much more, or become "riches". The lyrics show the vulnerability and dependence on another person for success, that the singer is willing to put themselves at the mercy of another in order to achieve their dreams.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rags To Riches" represent the desperation for connection and love, and the willingness to do anything to achieve it - even if it means being dependent on someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I'd go from rags to riches
I'm confident that my life can turn around and I can become successful
If you would only say you care
All I need is your love and affection to motivate me to succeed
And though my pocket may be empty
Despite my current financial situation, I still have hope for a better future
I'd be a millionaire
With your love, I'll feel rich and fulfilled even without material wealth
My clothes may still be torn and tattered
I may not have the best outward appearance, but my love for you is genuine
But in my heart I'd be a king
My affection for you is what truly matters, and it makes me feel powerful and important
Your love is all that ever mattered
I don't need money or possessions to be happy; your love is the only thing that truly matters
It's everything
Your love is more valuable than any amount of money or material possessions
So open your arms and you'll open the door
If you show me love and acceptance, it will give me the strength and motivation to achieve my goals
To every treasure that I'm hopin' for
I have high hopes and aspirations for the future, and your love is the key to unlocking them
Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more
Your physical affection and reassurance of your love will give me the confidence I need to succeed
Must I forever be a beggar
I'm tired of feeling helpless and poor; I want to become successful and wealthy
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
I have big dreams and ambitions, but I fear they will never come to fruition without your support and love
Or will I go from rags to riches?
I'm optimistic that I can turn my life around and become successful, but only with your help and love
My fate is up to you
Whether I become successful or remain poor is entirely dependent on your love and support
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jerry Ross, Richard Adler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scouseronthewirral
The Song is Based on a famous Russian tune called “Volga Melody” by Yuri Shchetkov.
Written By Richard Adler & Jerry Ross
The First recording and Hit Single Version was Tony Bennett on 17 March 1953, released on 3 August, it peaked at #1 Pop.
Billy Ward & His Dominoes (Jackie Wilson on Lead Vocals) recorded a version on 12 October 1953, it peaked at #3 R&B & #2 Most Played in Jukeboxes Charts.
Jackie Wilson also recorded a Solo version on 8 June 1965, released in September.
The 19th cover came 17 Years after the original and that came from Elvis Presley who recorded his version on 22 September 1970 and was influenced By the 1953 Billy Ward & His Dominoes it Peaked at #45 on pop chart.
@Xian127
know I'd go from rags to riches
If you would only say you care
And though my pocket may be empty
I'd be a millionaire
My clothes may still be torn and tattered
But in my heart I'd be a king
Your love is all that ever mattered
It's everything
So open your arms and you'll open the door
To every treasure that I'm hopin' for
Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more
Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you
Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you
@StagPreston
I saw Jackie Wilson live in a small club (Leo's Casino) in about 1965. I sat 5 feet away from him, and he was on a stage that was only about 6 inches off the ground. At one point, he got the women so excited, they jumped up on the little platform and started undressing him -his coat, his tie, etc. Jackie was laughing and everyone was having a great time. Jackie looked straight at me and gave me a smile and a wink as though he was saying, "Don't you Wish You Were Me?", A great entertainer.
@kentaylor7044
wished i'd had the chance to see jackie. the only "live" album that i've heard was "jackie at the copa"and i think his only bad album---but i am of the opinion it was the fault of the editing and production and i think to have seen him live would have been an incredible experience. i envy you. unfortunately i didn't see my first live "rock"performance til '67.
@catherineconnelly9580
Jackie was only 19 when this incredible version was recorded in 1953 - astonishing...
@Irishman10704
Clyde was 18 when he joined and Jackie was 19 when he replaced him. 2 men who started as “babies” In the industry went on to be R&B legends.
@lscarver5
Jackie really sang this one. I could imagine him making the ladies scream at the Apollo theater in Harlem.
@landocalrissian6778
What a wonderful experience sir you’re so lucky
@PRYNCESSJO
Every time he appeared at the Murray the K shows at Brooklyn Fox he tore the house down! And every time we would leave out of there with sore throats! ❤️🎵❤️🕯 Great incredible memories.
@quickworks9720
@@PRYNCESSJO Oh yeah! The Murray the K shows! Remember you could see them twice? Good times!
@amyharry4337
This turned me to tears, goosepimples all over. Stunning.
@bradly2007
Gorgeous JACKIE WILSON version is a keeper!