He is credited with being one of the first musicians to go to extreme lengths to create high-quality recordings that took full advantage of the technical capabilities of home audio equipment of the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly stereo effects that bounced the sounds between the right and left channels (often described as “ping-pong”).
The first of the albums produced on his record label, Command Records, Persuasive Percussion, became the first huge hit based solely on retail sales. His songs received little or no airplay on the radio, because AM radio, the standard of the day, was monaural. Light went on to release several albums in the Persuasive Percussion series, as well as a Command test record.
Enoch Light released myriad albums in various genres of music under a variety of names during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Some were released under Grand Award Records, a subsidiary label he founded earlier. The music was intended for older audiences, as opposed to most popular music of the time, which was usually aimed at teenagers. During this time, he pioneered many recording techniques, such as the use of 35 mm opical sound film instead of magnetic tape, thereby reducing the effects of “wow” and “flutter”. The recordings were released under the “35MM” series, starting from “Stereo 35-MM” released by Command Records. Musicians who appeared on Light’s albums include The Free Design, The Critters, Rain, Doc Severinsen, Tony Mottola, Dick Hyman, and arranger Lew Davies.
In 1965, Light sold the Command record label, which had released the Persuasive Percussion series, to ABC Records, which itself was subsequently sold to MCA Records. ABC continued the Command label, and launched an experimental rock label ABC Command Probe as part of the division. This label was the first home of the Soft Machine. When ABC Records issued quadraphonic records in the 1970s, they were issued on the Command label.
Dearly Beloved
Enoch Light and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was meant for you, You were meant for me.
Dearly beloved, how clearly I see,
Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me,
Angel eyes knew you, angel voices led me to you;
Nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign;
I know that I'll be yours come shower or shine;
The lyrics to Enoch Light and His Orchestra's song Dearly Beloved express a love that was meant to be. The first two lines ask for confirmation that the love that exists between the two individuals is real and mutual, setting the stage for the rest of the song. The chorus reiterates the idea that fate has brought the two lovers together – that the heavens have predestined their love. The lyrics suggest a kind of divine intervention in the way that their paths crossed, with angelic forces playing a role in bringing them together.
The final lines of the song express a strong desire for the other person to be a permanent part of one's life. The singer acknowledges that nothing can save them from the power of fate and destiny, and expresses a conviction that they will remain together through both good times and bad. The final line, "dearly beloved be mine," is an impassioned plea for commitment, suggesting that the singer cannot bear to be without the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me that it's true, Tell me you agree,
Please tell me that you feel the same way as I do.
I was meant for you, You were meant for me.
We were meant to be together.
Dearly beloved, how clearly I see,
My dear love, I can clearly envision our future together.
Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me,
I believe that you were created specifically for me by a higher power.
Angel eyes knew you, angel voices led me to you;
I have the feeling that angels guided me in finding you, my true love.
Nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign;
I have a strong belief that fate has brought us together, and nothing could have changed that outcome.
I know that I'll be yours come shower or shine;
No matter what happens, I am committed to loving and being with you always.
So I say merely, dearly beloved be mine.
Therefore, I ask you, my dear beloved, to be mine forevermore.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, JOHN H. MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind