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.
When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bringWill live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
"When The Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" by Clyde McPhatter is a classic ballad about a lover waiting for their significant other to return to them. The lyrics express the hope that the swallows' migration back to Capistrano will coincide with the return of the lost love. The first verse sets the scene of the song, referring to the day the lover left and how it coincided with the swallows leaving. The anticipation of their return is palpable in the chorus as the singer imagines the happiness and joy that will come with the lover's return. The line "That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me" shows the depth of the singer's longing and hope for the return of their beloved.
The symbolism of the swallows returning to Capistrano is significant to the song. The birds famously migrate to the town of Capistrano every year, usually between March 19th and March 23rd. The tradition of their return has been celebrated for centuries, as people believe it heralds the coming of spring. The song plays on this tradition, using it as a symbol for the returning love of the singer's lost partner.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but McPhatter's version remains the most well-known. With its simple, heartfelt lyrics and classic melody, the song has become a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
The singer eagerly awaits the arrival of the swallows at Capistrano, as it is a day that holds a special significance in their relationship.
That's the day you promised to come back to me
The singer and their love interest had agreed to reunite on the day the swallows return to Capistrano.
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
The singer and their love interest parted ways in Capistrano, California, and their goodbye was one of heartbreak and sadness.
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
The day their love interest left was also the day when the swallows began their migration to their breeding grounds along the coast.
All the mission bells will ring
The mission bells of Capistrano will chime and resonate throughout town, acknowledging the return of the swallows.
The chapel choir will sing
The chapel choir will perform a ceremonial song to mark the return of the swallows, a significant cultural event in Capistrano.
The happiness you'll bring
The singer believes that the return of their love interest on this day will bring immense joy and happiness to their life.
Will live in my memory
The moment of reunion would be unforgettable and forever etched in the artist's memory.
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
The artist longs for their love interest to return to them on the day the swallows return to Capistrano, hopeful that their love will be reunited once more.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEON T. RENE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind