The band had its genesis when long-time Statesmen Quartet member Jake Hess retired from that band on December 7, 1963.[1] Hess wanted to start a new group recognized as "king" of the Southern gospel field and thought the "Imperials" would be a good moniker. After getting the go-ahead from Marion Snider for permission to use the name (Snider had previously operated an Imperial Quartet named after its sponsor Imperial Sugar), he gathered together pianist Henry Slaughter from the Weatherford Quartet,ex-Oak Ridge Boys baritone Gary McSpadden, the Weatherford Quartet's bass singer Armond Morales and Speer Family tenor Sherrill (Shawn) Neilsen to join him.[2] Signing with Benson Records subsidiary Skylite, the group had a busy first year releasing 4 albums in 1964.
The Slip
Imperials Lyrics
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My, it's been a long, long time
How am I doin'?
Oh, well, I guess I'm doin' fine
It's been so long now and it seems that
It was only yesterday
Mmm, ain't it funny how time slips away?
I hope that he's doin' fine
Heard you told him, yes, baby
That you'd love him till the end of time
Well, you know, that's the same thing
That you told me
Well, it seems like just the other day
Mmm, ain't it funny how time slips away
Yeah, baby
Yeah
I gotta go now
Guess I'll see you hanging round
Don't know when though, oh, no
Never know when I'll be back in town
But I remember what I told you
That in time you're gonna pay
Well ain't it surprisin' how time slips away?
Yeah, ain't it surprisin' how time slips away?
The Slip by Imperials is a song that captures the sense of nostalgia and reflection on the passage of time. The vocalist greets an old love, remarking on how long it has been since they last saw each other. They exchange pleasantries, with the vocalist asking how the new love is faring, to which the former lover responds that she loves him as she loved the vocalist. The singer notes how the sentiment expressed is similar to the one the former lover had shared with them not long ago. The vocalist marvels at how quickly time has gone by, and how recent events feel like they happened just yesterday.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of time slipping away, as the singer notes how he needs to leave and how he is unsure when he will return. However, the final line of the chorus stands out, as the vocalist reminds his old love that she will ultimately have to pay for her actions. The line alludes to the idea that past actions have consequences, and the passage of time does not erase them.
In conclusion, the Slip by Imperials is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the consequences of actions, even as memories hold a special place in a person's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, hello there
The singer greets someone they haven't seen in a long time.
My, it's been a long, long time
The singer emphasizes how much time has passed since they last saw the person.
How am I doin'?
The singer asks how they appear to the other person.
Oh, well, I guess I'm doin' fine
The artist answers their own question with a casual response.
It's been so long now and it seems that
The artist reflects on how much time has passed.
It was only yesterday
The singer recalls memories as if they just happened recently.
Mmm, ain't it funny how time slips away?
The singer comments on how strange it is that time seems to pass quickly.
How's your new love?
The artist asks about the other person's new romantic partner.
I hope that he's doin' fine
The artist expresses a hope that the other person's partner is doing well.
Heard you told him, yes, baby
The artist has heard that the other person expressed love to their new partner.
That you'd love him till the end of time
The other person expressed a deep commitment and devotion to their new partner.
Well, you know, that's the same thing
The artist points out that the other person said something similar to them in the past.
That you told me
The other person expressed love and commitment to the singer in the past.
Well, it seems like just the other day
The singer comments on how recent that expression of love seems in their memory.
Mmm, ain't it funny how time slips away
The singer comments on the strangeness of how memory can feel like it just happened despite the passage of time.
Yeah, baby
An affirmation of the conversation or the feelings expressed in it.
Yeah
An additional affirmation or agreement with the previous statement.
I gotta go now
The singer must leave soon.
Guess I'll see you hanging round
The singer predicts they will see the other person again in the near future.
Don't know when though, oh, no
The artist is uncertain exactly when they will see the other person again.
Never know when I'll be back in town
The artist is unsure when they will return to the area.
But I remember what I told you
The artist recalls sharing some information or advice with the other person at a previous time.
That in time you're gonna pay
The singer is suggesting that the other person will face consequences or owe something in the future.
Well ain't it surprisin' how time slips away?
The artist comments again on how quickly time seems to pass.
Yeah, ain't it surprisin' how time slips away?
An emphasis on the previous statement, with possible agreement from the other person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind