Kinsman Dazz was signed to 20th Century Records by Joe Lewis in 1978. The group went to Los Angeles to record for producer Marvin Gaye. Owing to illness, Gaye had to back out of the duties. Harris requested and got Philip Bailey, the vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire, to produce the group's first album, Kinsman Dazz. Bailey would co-produce the second album, Dazz, and had a major input into the group's vocal arrangements. They released their first single, "I Might as Well Forget About Loving You", in late 1978. "Catchin' Up on You" followed in 1979.
The Kinsman Dazz became the Dazz Band in 1980. Separately, the 20th Century Records label was closed, and the Dazz Band was signed to Motown Records. The group expanded from the original quintet — Harris, Calhoun, Pettus, and the Wiley brothers — with newcomers Kevin Kendrick, Steve Cox, Eric Fearman, Pierre DeMudd, Sonny "Skip" Martin, Jerry Bell and Terry Stanton. They had their first hit with "Shake It Up" in 1980.
Dazz's first album for Motown was Invitation to Love (1980), a self-produced set, whose title track, the ballad "Invitation to Love", began a string of hits for the band starting in March 1981. The group's next album, Let The Music Play (1981), featured the minor hit single "Knock! Knock!", reaching the Top 50. The group's biggest breakthrough came with the album Keep It Live (1982), containing the hit "Let It Whip" — which reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. They would go on to score R&B hits with the songs "Party Right Here" (1983), "Joystick" (1984), and "Let It All Blow" (which was also their biggest UK single, peaking at #12) (1984).
After Keep It Live, the band recorded the albums On the One, Joystick, Jukebox and Hot Spot, all for Motown. The band was known for its live performances, often proving more popular than the headlining act. In 1985, Fearman left the group and were replaced by Marlon McClain and Keith Harrison. In 1986, Dazz Band recorded Wild & Free for Geffen Records, and moved to RCA Records.
[edit] 1990s revival
The popularity of classic funk/R&B/soul acts performing in the US and abroad started to expand in the mid-1990s on events like the awarded Sinbad's Summer Jam: '70s Soul Music Festival. Bobby Harris decided to form a tribute band with members from the Bar-Kays, Con Funk Shun, the Gap Band and the SOS Band, called the United We Funk All-Stars. A studio album followed, including a tribute to the late Roger Troutman, who performs on the album as well. Other artists from the genre who contributed to the album were the late Rick James and The System. The concept was a great success, and was captured on a live CD, presented and promoted by radio jockey Tom Joyner, who made the announcements on the UWF-All Stars shows.
Current members
* Bobby Harris - saxophone, clarinet, background vocals
* Sennie Skip Martin - trumpet, vocals
* Marlon McClain - vocals and guitar
Past members
* Jerry Bell (Lead Vocals, Background Vocals)
* Juan Lively(Lead Vocals, Background Vocals)
* Michael Calhoun(Lead Guitar)
* Steve Cox - (keyboards)
* Pierre DeMudd - (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals)
* Eric Fearman - (lead guitar, songwriter)
* Keith Harrison - (keyboards)
* Kenny Pettus -( percussion, vocals)
* Terry Stanton - (lead vocals R.I.P.)
* Michael Wiley - bass (R.I.P.)
* Isaac Wiley, Jr. - (drums, percussion, background vocals)
Discography
Albums
Year Title Peak chart positions Label
US 200 US R&B
1980 Invitation to Love - - Motown
1981 Let the Music Play 154 36 Motown
1982 Keep It Live 14 1 Motown
1983 Joystick 73 12 Motown
1983 On the One 59 12 Motown
1984 Jukebox 84 18 Motown
1984 Greatest Hits - - Motown
1985 Hot Spot 114 24 Motown
1986 Wild & Free 178 37 Geffen
1988 Rock the Room - 91 RCA
1996 Under the Streetlights - 42 LKY
1997 Double Exposure - - Intersound
1998 Here We Go Again - 99 Intersound
2001 Time Traveler - - Eagle Music Group
Singles
Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US R&B US Dance
1980 "Shake It Up" - 65 - Invitation to Love
1981 "Invitation to Love" 109 51 - Invitation to Love
1981 "Knock Knock" - 44 - Let the Music Play
1982 "Let It Whip" 5 1 - Keep It Live
1982 "Keep It Live (On the K.I.L)" - 20 - Keep It Live
1983 "On The One For Fun" - 9 52 On the One
1983 "Cheek To Cheek" - 76 - On the One
1983 "Party Right Here" - 63 - On the One
1983 "Joystick" 61 9 - Joystick
1984 "Swoop (I'm Yours)" - 12 - Joystick
1984 "Let It all Blow" 84 9 - Jukebox
1985 "Heartbeat" 110 12 - Jukebox
1985 "Hot Spot" - 21 33 Hot Spot
1986 "L.O.V.E. M.I.A." - 48 - Wild & Free
1986 "Wild and Free" - 44 - Wild & Free
1988 "Anticipation" - 38 - Rock the Room
1988 "Single Girls" - 19 38 Rock the Room
1988 "Open Sesame" - 83 - Rock the Room
1998 "Ain't Nothin' but a Jam Y'all" - 58 -
1998 "Girl Got Body" - 81 - Here We Go Again
Knock! Knock!
Dazz Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to get through to the only girl I'm dreaming of.
Life is so cold, I don't want to go on with out you, you girl.
What happened to the time, the one could take my place.
What happened to the love only God could have erased?
So I am back, into your heart let me in, cause I need you, love you.
Knock, knock who's there?
Knock, knock open up your heart, cause I need you love
want your love.
I tried to find a locksmith, to make me a key he said
this kind of thing is even new to me. You've got to
find another way, to get into her heart and stay.
Because she needs you and wants you. If you can touch me
way down deep inside, then you can see the reasons, the reasons i can seem to hide.
Girl don't be shy, can i help make up your mind, because I need
you and love you.
Knock, knock who's there?
Would somebody please let me into her heart?
Knock, knock open up your heart, cause I need you love
want your love.
In the Dazz Band's hit song "Knock! Knock!", the singer is reaching out to a love interest who seems to have shut him out. He is standing on the outside of her love, desperately trying to make a connection with the one girl he's been dreaming of. However, life feels empty and cold without her, and he yearns to be reunited with her. The lyrics touch upon the theme of lost love and the desire to rekindle what once was. The singer is searching for a way to get into her heart and win her love back. He's determined to find a way to "touch her way down deep inside," to convince her of the reasons why their love was worth saving.
Throughout the song, the singer makes repeated attempts to impress upon the girl the depth of his need for her love. He implores her to open up her heart to him, to let him in so that they can start again. The chorus of the song encourages her to do just that, with the repeated refrain of "Knock! Knock! Who's there? Standing on the outside of your heart. Knock! Knock! Open up your heart, 'cause I need your love, I want your love".
Overall, the song is a heartfelt plea for a second chance at love, accompanied by a catchy melody and a pulsating rhythm that perfectly captures the sentiment of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm standing here, on the outside of your love.
I am outside your world of love, trying to enter and become a part of it.
Trying to get through to the only girl I'm dreaming of.
I am trying to find a way to communicate with the girl I love and who is always on my mind.
Life is so cold, I don't want to go on without you, you girl.
Without you, my life feels joyless, and I cannot imagine completing it alone.
What happened to the time, the one could take my place.
Time has passed, and no one has been able to replace the special place you hold in my heart.
What happened to the love only God could have erased?
The love we shared was divine, and no mortal could have ended it so quickly.
So I am back, into your heart let me in, 'cause I need you, love you.
I am back again, begging for your love, ready to be welcomed back into your heart, and letting you know that I will always want and love you.
Knock, knock who's there?
Asking who is knocking on the door.
Standing on the outside (won't you let me into your heart) of your heart
Still outside, hoping to be allowed to enter your heart and be with you forever.
Knock, knock open up your heart, 'cause I need you love, want your love.
Pleading to be granted entry into your heart, stating that I need and want your love.
I tried to find a locksmith, to make me a key he said this kind of thing is even new to me.
I tried to seek help and advice to get closer to you, but no one had a clear solution, and this was a new challenge for them.
You've got to find another way, to get into her heart and stay.
You need to find a unique approach to entering her heart and making sure you stay in it.
Because she needs you and wants you. If you can touch me way down deep inside, then you can see the reasons, the reasons I can seem to hide.
She desires and requires your presence in her life. Only by giving me a chance to be close to her, can she understand the depth of my feelings and motives.
Girl don't be shy, can I help make up your mind, because I need you and love you.
I urge you not to be hesitant, making a choice in our favor. My feelings for you are consequential, and I can't be complete without your love.
Would somebody please let me into her heart?
Asking someone to assist him in his effort to enter the girl's heart.
Knock, knock open up your heart, 'cause I need you love, want your love.
Repeating his plea to be allowed into her heart, conveying that his only desire is her love.
Contributed by Xavier O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sunia Harris
Im at work...playing this song, and I had to muffle my scream. Yup, basement party music! Good times! I love this decade of music. It was honest.
acrucker
Another Masterpiece for future generations to enjoy! Thank you Dazz Band!
lloyd johnson
THIS IS ONE FUNK BAND WITH A LOT OF SMOOTH BALLADS!!!!!! THE DAZZ BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric Bell
Yeah, that band ballats was Bad
Maria Music Maria
You have no idea how happy I felt listening to this as I laid in my baby's arms in the middle of the night knowing I was safe and sound. I adore him.
Success2gether
I haven't heard this song in 30+ years, but it just suddenly popped into my head for some reason. Woooo the memories!
sehunt123
Thanks Soul Music Family for bringing me Knock..Knock by the Dazz Band, it takes me to a place in my heart that's filled with untainted thoughts of young romance !
TERRY TURNER
This song brings back so many memories of my childhood. GREAT SONG!!
Kimberly Gordon
Terry Turner Yep. Mine too.
Adam Hernandez
It reminds me of my x girl friend Veronica 🥰