The group remained popular throughout the 50s and early 60s, releasing a wide array of successful albums, movie and television appearances and performing countless sold-out concerts. The band eventually lost mainstream attention with the emergence of the British pop bands of the 1960s, even though they managed to stay together even after the retirement of final original member Bob Flanigan in 1992.
New lineups of the Four Freshmen have continued the legendary vocal tradition of the original band, while adding new touches. In 2000 the group won Down Beat magazine's reader's poll award for Vocal Group of the Year, proving the quartet's prominence in the jazz world today.
Invitation
Four Freshmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somehow it seems
We've shed our dream but we're
Time after time in a room full of strangers
Out of the blue, suddenly you were there
Wherever I go you're the glow of temptation,
Glancing my way in the grey of the dawn
Then you are gone
Where oh where have you gone
How long must I live in a world of illusion
Be where you are so near yet so far, apart
Hoping you'll say with a sweet invitation
Where have you been, darling come in
Into my heart
The lyrics of the Four Freshmen's song Invitation convey a sense of perplexity and longing for someone who holds a strange attraction towards the singer. The opening line "You and your smile hold a strange invitation" suggests that the person's smile is captivating and alluring, but the invitation they hold is ambiguous and unclear. The singer feels a sense of connection with this person, but at the same time, they feel like they have lost touch with their dreams.
The chorus "Wherever I go you're the glow of temptation" highlights the seductive nature of this person's presence. They appear out of the blue, in a room full of strangers, and their smile holds that strange invitation, but they disappear just as quickly. The singer laments being in a world of illusions, where this person is near but far apart. They hope that this person will invite them into their heart and bring them a sense of clarity and purpose.
Overall, the song Invitation portrays the universal theme of unrequited love and the frustration of not being able to fully grasp someone's intentions. The lyrics and melody are evocative, and the Four Freshmen's vocal harmonies give the song a dreamy, romantic quality.
Line by Line Meaning
You and your smile hold a strange invitation
Your smile draws me in in a peculiar way that I can't quite explain
Somehow it seems we've shed our dream but we're
We may have lost sight of our goals, but we're still together
Time after time in a room full of strangers
We're constantly surrounded by unfamiliar faces
Out of the blue, suddenly you were there
And then, unexpectedly, you appeared
Wherever I go you're the glow of temptation
No matter where I am, you always tempt me
Glancing my way in the grey of the dawn
You catch my eye early in the morning when everything is still and quiet
And always your smile holds that strange invitation
Your smile continues to beckon me in that uniquely inviting way
Then you are gone
But then you always seem to disappear
Where oh where have you gone
I can never seem to find you
How long must I live in a world of illusion
I'm tired of living in a world where things aren't as they seem
Be where you are so near yet so far, apart
It's frustrating to have you so close, yet so unattainable
Hoping you'll say with a sweet invitation
I'm holding out hope that one day you'll ask me to join you in that inviting way
Where have you been, darling come in, into my heart
In fact, I'm yearning for it - I'm inviting you into my heart
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Blackburn
FOUR FRESHMEN and a host of guitar giants
I was 12 years old and discovering all the great electric guitars made by Gibson, Gretsch and Guild ('The Three G's that were "The Greatest"). The Four Freshmen had an album with a Gibson ES 355 -- red, double-cutaway, gold pickups, tuners and Bigsby tailpiece -- given pride-of-place sitting in a swivel chair surrounded by other great Gibson electrics.
The album, which included this haunting song, was titled "Four Freshmen with Five Guitars." I bought it and it turned out to be TEN guitarists, taking turns -- a Who's Who of the best guitarists doing studio recordings at that time -- including a couple who worked with Sinatra: George Van Epps (inventor of the seven-string guitar) and Al Viola and two who were in Oscar Peterson Trios -- Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis and top guitarists on the West Coast where this was recorded -- summer of '59.
Yes, 60 years on, the very album cover that transfixed a 12 year old me. Nancy Sinatra just played a track from this album on her three-hour weekly show on SiriuslySinatra satellite radio.
Thanks, for the "keleezybeats" for posting the video and thanks to "Burt Milburn" for the informed note (below) that, "The haunting music in the minor key was originally written by film score composer, Bronislau Kaper, or the 1950 film, "A Life of Her Own" staring Lana Turner. Two years later, the theme was used in the film 'Invitation'."
KODAN ♪
Cuando conocí esta canción me daba miedo escuchar, pero ahora que la puedo escuchar completa es muy linda y especial para dedicar.! Acompaña al viaje de lsd si te lo propones, muchas gracias!
Mark Blackburn
FOUR FRESHMEN and a host of guitar giants
I was 12 years old and discovering all the great electric guitars made by Gibson, Gretsch and Guild ('The Three G's that were "The Greatest"). The Four Freshmen had an album with a Gibson ES 355 -- red, double-cutaway, gold pickups, tuners and Bigsby tailpiece -- given pride-of-place sitting in a swivel chair surrounded by other great Gibson electrics.
The album, which included this haunting song, was titled "Four Freshmen with Five Guitars." I bought it and it turned out to be TEN guitarists, taking turns -- a Who's Who of the best guitarists doing studio recordings at that time -- including a couple who worked with Sinatra: George Van Epps (inventor of the seven-string guitar) and Al Viola and two who were in Oscar Peterson Trios -- Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis and top guitarists on the West Coast where this was recorded -- summer of '59.
Yes, 60 years on, the very album cover that transfixed a 12 year old me. Nancy Sinatra just played a track from this album on her three-hour weekly show on SiriuslySinatra satellite radio.
Thanks, for the "keleezybeats" for posting the video and thanks to "Burt Milburn" for the informed note (below) that, "The haunting music in the minor key was originally written by film score composer, Bronislau Kaper, or the 1950 film, "A Life of Her Own" staring Lana Turner. Two years later, the theme was used in the film 'Invitation'."
Greg Stegeman
A couple of other great guitarists on this recording were Tommy Tedesco (Wrecking Crew) and Howard Roberts who had his own career on Capitol.
Meloh
this sample is too dope.
DRE DINERO
RIP J DILLA 🙏🏼
Cliff Eck
A lovers mind that continues to search for the magic moment ... the glance that is so contagious but is lost in the wonder of perfect love. The ecstasy we all seek.
Selected Sounds
How about this song is too dope.
jengasias
Lyrics are deep.
Negro Miranda Rap Antofagasta
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
John Patterson
One of my favorites, and Dad's.