The original duo were Bobby Byrd (July 1, 1930 – July 27, 1990) and Earl Nelson (born 8 September 1928, Lake Charles, Louisiana - July 2008, Los Angeles). They had both been members of The Hollywood Flames, a prolific doo-wop group in Los Angeles, California whose major hit was "Buzz Buzz Buzz" in 1958, on which Nelson sang lead.
By 1957, Byrd had started a parallel solo career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as Bobby Day. He wrote and recorded the original version of "Little Bitty Pretty One", and had a hit of his own with "Rockin’ Robin" (1958). In 1960, Day/Byrd and Nelson began recording together as Bob & Earl, on the Class record label. However, these releases had relatively little success, and Day/Byrd restarted his solo career.
Nelson then recruited a second “Bob”, Bobby Relf, who also used the stage names of Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino. Relf had already led several Los Angeles based acts in his career, including the Laurels, the Upfronts, and Valentino and the Lovers. The latter two groups also featured the then pianist and bass singer, Barry White.
This duo of Relf and Nelson recorded several singles for different labels, before recording "Harlem Shuffle" in 1963. The song was written by Relf and Nelson, arranged by Barry White, and produced by Fred Smith, and when released on the Marc label became a modest hit on the R&B chart. Its vocal interplay directly influenced later duos such as Sam and Dave. However, its main success came as late as 1969, when it was re-released in the UK and became a Top Ten hit there. Reportedly, George Harrison called it his favourite record of all time.
By that time, Nelson had achieved further success as a solo artist under the alias of Jackie Lee, with "The Duck", a hit dance record released in 1965. (Jackie was Nelson's wife's name and Lee his own middle name). When "Harlem Shuffle" became successful on reissue, Nelson and Relf reunited as Bob & Earl to tour. However, the duo split up finally in the early 1970s.
That's My Desire
Bob & Earl Lyrics
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And reminisce with you that's my desire.
To meet where gypsies play, down in that dim cafe,
And dance 'till break of day that's my desire.
We'll sip a little glass of wine, I'll gaze into your eyes divine.
I'll feel the touch of your lips pressing on mine.
To hear you whisper low just when it's time to go,
The lyrics to Bob & Earl's song "That's My Desire" tell a story of a longing for a past love. The singer expresses a desire to spend one night with his former lover in their old meeting place, and reminisce about their time together. In particular, he longs to visit a dimly lit cafe where gypsies play music, and dance until dawn. He envisions sipping wine and gazing into his lover's eyes, feeling the touch of their lips on his own. Finally, he imagines hearing his lover whisper that she loves him, just as it's time to depart.
The lyrics to this song speak to the universal human desire to recapture a lost love or a moment in time. The use of sensory imagery, such as the taste of wine and the touch of lips, adds to the emotional impact of the lyrics. Additionally, the specific setting of a dimly lit cafe conjures an atmosphere of nostalgia and romance. Overall, Bob & Earl have crafted a poignant song that lets listeners feel the ache of lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
To spend one night with you in our old rendezvous,
I long for the chance to be with you just one more time at our special meeting place.
And reminisce with you that's my desire.
I want to recall old memories and share stories with you.
To meet where gypsies play, down in that dim cafe,
I yearn to relocate to that small, intimate cafe where the gypsies perform.
And dance 'till break of day that's my desire.
I desire to dance with you until the sun rises.
We'll sip a little glass of wine, I'll gaze into your eyes divine.
We will comfortably consume a glass of wine while gazing deeply into each other's eyes.
I'll feel the touch of your lips pressing on mine.
Our lips will meet each other's in a passionate kiss.
To hear you whisper low just when it's time to go,
I hope to hear your soft whisper as it nears the end of the night.
Cherie, I love you so, that's my desire.
My utmost desire is to express my love for you, Cherie.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HELMY KRESA, CARROLL LOVEDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind