Clyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an influential Afri… Read Full Bio ↴Clyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an influential African-American R&B singer, born in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised in a religious Baptist family, and formed a gospel group in 1945 after his family moved to New Jersey. They soon relocated to New York City, and McPhatter joined the Mount Lebanon Singers, a popular gospel group.

In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.

In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder

McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.

In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.

In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Let's Forget About The Past
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics

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Let′s forget about the past
Cause it can't be undone
I realize now you′re the only one
Let's forget about the past
I know I was wrong

Give me one more chance
Take me back where I belong

I did things that were wrong
I ran from pillar to post
I want you back home again
I've had my bitter dose

Let′s forget about the past
Our whole life′s ahead

Let's start anew
And forget all that′s been said.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Clyde McPhatter's song "Let's Forget About The Past" are about a man who realizes that he was wrong for leaving his partner and wants to make amends. He is asking for another chance to start anew with his partner. He acknowledges his mistakes by saying that he did things that were wrong and ran from pillar to post. The man then pleads with his partner to take him back where he belongs. He admits that his actions have caused bitter feelings but he wants to make amends.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of forgetting about the past and moving on. The man is asking his partner to forgive him and start anew because their whole life is ahead of them. He wants them to forget all that has been said and done and to focus on their fresh future together. The lyrics convey a sense of renewal, hope and determination to rebuild the relationship.

Let's Forget About The PastClyde McPhatter Lyrics

Let's Forget About The Past
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics