The Emeralds formed as a vocal harmony group in Little Rock, Arkansas, and … Read Full Bio ↴The Emeralds formed as a vocal harmony group in Little Rock, Arkansas, and originally comprised four brothers, Ivory (born 14 September 1941), Abrim (born Abe Tilmon, 12 January 1945 - 6 July 1982), Cleophus and Raymond Tilmon. After Cleophus and Raymond left, the remaining Tilmon brothers were joined by childhood friend, James Mitchell. Moving to Detroit, Michigan and expanding their name to the Detroit Emeralds, the then trio had their first R&B chart success on Ric-Tic Records, with "Show Time" in 1968.

In 1970, they joined the Westbound record label. When touring in Memphis, Tennessee, they recorded some demo tracks at the Hi recording studios, run by producer Willie Mitchell, to which they then added vocals and strings back in Detroit. This approach worked and brought them another hit, "If I Lose Your Love", which was followed by a run of successes, including "Do Me Right", "You Want It, You Got It" and "Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)" which all made the R&B Top 10 while the latter also reached #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in 1972.

The song for which they are now best remembered, "Feel The Need In Me", reached #22 R&B in 1973 and a new, much longer version four years later also charted. The original track made the top five in the UK Singles Chart in 1973 and the later production also made the UK chart in 1977 (#12). "You Want It" was re-released in the UK as a follow-up to the initial "Feel The Need In Me", also reaching the UK Top 20 in 1973. Abe Tilmon wrote all of their hits, while also arranging and producing the tracks.

By 1974, the group was falling apart, and at one point there were two outfits using the name. Abe Tilmon formed one new group with the Detroit Emeralds' name, while James Mitchell formed another group, The Floaters. Both Emeralds groups stayed active on the oldies and cabaret circuit for some years.

On 6 July 1982 Abrim Tilmon died, at the age of 37, in his Southfield, Michigan home of a heart attack. It is said a re-union of the group was being planned at the time. He was survived by his wife Janyce, son Steve, and daughter Cathy.

And I Love Her
Detroit Emeralds Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her to
I love her

She gives my everything
And tenderly

The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her

A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine

Will never die
And I love her, ooh

Overall Meaning

"And I Love Her" is a beautiful love song that expresses the singer's unwavering devotion to their lover. The opening lines, "I give her all my love, that's all I do, and if you saw my love, you'd love her too," communicate the depth and intensity of the singer's love. The second verse, "She gives me everything and tenderly, the kiss my lover brings, she brings to me," reveals that the love is reciprocated and mutual, the relationship filled with tenderness and passion.

The chorus, "A love like ours could never die, as long as I have you near me," shows that the singer believes their love to be eternal and unbreakable. The final lines of the song repeat the idea that the love will endure through any obstacle, "Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky, I know this love of mine will never die, and I love her, ooh," with the added emphasis of "ooh" conveying the singer's emotional intensity.

The song is a beautiful tribute to enduring love and a testament to the transformative power of love.

Line by Line Meaning

I give her all my love
My love is so great that I give every ounce of it to her

That's all I do
I have nothing else in my life but her; my love is my only focus

And if you saw my love
If you could witness the depth of my love for her

You'd love her to
You would be overcome with love for her as well

I love her
I am deeply in love with her

She gives my everything
She completes me and provides all that I need

And tenderly
She gives her love with care and gentleness

The kiss my lover brings
Her kisses bring me joy and contentment

She brings to me
She brings love and happiness into my life

A love like ours
Our love is unique and special