Frankie Beverly started out singing gospel music in church as a schoolboy in Philadelphia. He has claimed that his first professional gig was a tour with The Silhouettes (famous for their 1958 hit Get A Job) when he was only twelve years old, but this is disputed by those associated with the group, whose members were never known to mention him while they were alive.[1]
As a teenager he formed The Blenders, a short-lived a cappella, doo-wop group that were influenced by The Dells, The Moonglows, and The Del Vikings. After that outfit dissolved, he founded The Butlers, which would be the first group he recorded with in 1963. As time passed, they caught the attention of the veteran producer Kenny Gamble, who eventually released recordings by the group.
It turned out that music performed by The Butlers did not fit into the "Philly Sound", and after some heavy touring, the group relocated to California. The unit was re-christened as Raw Soul and caught the attention of a sister-in-law to Marvin Gaye. He was so enamored by the act, he had them as an opening act at his shows. Gaye also convinced Beverly to have the band's name changed to Maze.
Beverly's onstage attire (all-white casual clothing, including slacks, long-sleeved shirt, and a baseball cap) has become his signature dress style over the years.
Before I Let Go
Frankie Beverly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made me happy
This you can bet
You stood right beside me, yeah
And I won't forget
And I really love you
I want to make sure I'm right, girl
Before I let go
Now we've had our good time
That's not the same, no
We're hurtin' each other
Girl, it's a shame
I won't be foolish, no
I wanna know
I wanna make sure I'm right, girl, oh
Before I let go, yeah (uh)
You know I thank God
Sun rises and shines on you
You know there's nothin'
Nothin', nothin' I would not do
Whoa, no
Before I let you go, oh
I would never, never, never, never
Never, never, never
Never let you go before I know
We were so close
I love your song
I can understand it, no
Where did we go wrong?
I won't be hasty, girl
I've got to know
I gotta make sure I'm right
Before I let go (ha, ha)
I wanna know
I, ohh, ohh, ohh
I wanna know
I, ohh, ohh, ohh
Frankie Beverly's classic song Before I Let Go is a soulful and heart-touching tribute to a past love. The song reflects on the past relationship with the woman who made him happy and stood by his side when he needed her. He expresses gratitude and tells her that he loves her and wants to make sure he is right before he lets her go. The relationship is over, and they have hurt each other, and the situation is a shame. However, before leaving her, he wants to be sure that he is not making a wrong choice, and he doesn't want to be hasty. He wants to make the right decision before letting her go.
The chorus of "Before I let Go" expresses his commitment to the relationship and his desire to know that he has made the right decision before ending it. The song's lyrics suggest that Beverly is willing to do anything to maintain the relationship, and he fears that he might make the wrong choice. The line "You know there's nothing, nothing, nothing I would not do" signifies the depth of his love for the woman.
Overall, Before I Let Go is a powerful and touching song about love and heartbreak. The song's lyrics reflect on the deep emotions that come with the end of a relationship and the struggle to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, whoa, ho
Expression of surprise or shock
You made me happy
You brought joy into my life
This you can bet
I am confident about this statement
You stood right beside me, yeah
You supported me all along
And I won't forget
I will always remember your kindness
And I really love you
My feelings for you are genuine
You should know
I want you to be aware of this fact
I want to make sure I'm right, girl
I need to be certain of my decision
Before I let go
Before I end our relationship
Now we've had our good time
We had fun in the past
That's not the same, no
Our current situation is different
We're hurtin' each other
We are causing pain to one another
Girl, it's a shame
It's regrettable
I won't be foolish, no
I won't act recklessly
I wanna know
I need to find out
You know I thank God
I am grateful to God
Sun rises and shines on you
You are a blessing in my life
You know there's nothin'
There is nothing
Nothin', nothin' I would not do
I am willing to do anything
Before I let you go, oh
Before I end our relationship
I would never, never, never, never
I would never
Never, never, never
Absolutely not
Never let you go before I know
I won't end our relationship before I make sure this is what I want
We were so close
Our relationship was very strong
I love your song
I appreciate the good times we had
I can understand it, no
I know what went wrong
Where did we go wrong?
What caused our relationship to falter?
I won't be hasty, girl
I won't act impulsively
I've got to know
I need to find out
Before I let go (ha, ha)
Before I end our relationship
I wanna know
I need to find out
I, ohh, ohh, ohh
Vocal expression
I wanna know
I need to find out
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Frankie Beverly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shopdrop9828
The OFFICIAL BLACK American cookout, wedding reception, family reunion, impromptu gathering song that there is!
@kennethbowman5156
Written by Delight B. -- I am laughing so hard at your comment, because you Know you right. Best song for cookouts, wedding receptions, parties etc..., this so g gets everybody up and dancing, from the kitchen to out the back door on. The grass or just walking around. You Know you right. Still laughing.
@aprilsingleton142
Yes
@kennethbowman5156
Written by Delight B. -- April Singleyon, you that is right, I agree with you. Love this song, Live Frankie Beverly and Maze.😊
@belindamcdaniel2208
Facts
@terryhouston1420
YASSS
@MG-jy6yc
Please rise for the black national anthem
@jessicaa9470
😂
@hiyaniya4688
And “get down on it” 😂
@missshannonsunshine
African American * I didn’t really know this song until Beyoncé