In 1957, a doo-wop group known as The Chesters existed with members Clarence Collins, Tracy Lord, Nathaniel Rodgers, and Ronald Ross. Anthony Gourdine, a former member of The Duponts, joined as lead vocalist. Ernest Wright took over for Ross, and the group recorded shortly for Apollo Records.
Changing their name to The Imperials, they signed with End Records in 1958. Their first single was "Tears On My Pillow", which was an instant hit. (While playing this song, D.J. Alan Freed dubbed the name "Little Anthony".) The B side, "Two Kinds of People" was also a hit. The group followed up with "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop" in 1960. When their success dwindled in 1961, Little Anthony left to attempt a solo career. Some members left, and the line-up then became Collins, Wright, Sammy Strain, and George Kerr. Kerr was replaced by Kenny Seymour after a short time. This line-up had little success.
Little Anthony returned in 1963, replacing Seymour. With the help of record producer/songwriter Teddy Randazzo, the group found success on the new DCP label with the dramatic pop-soul records "I'm On The Outside Looking In" (1964), "Goin' Out Of My Head" (1964), "Hurt So Bad" (1965), "I Miss You So" (1965), "Take Me Back" (1965), and "Out of Sight, Out Of Mind" (1969).
Ernest Wright left in 1971 to join Tony Williams' Platters. He was replaced by the returning Kenny Seymour, who was again replaced after a short time by Bobby Wade. Strain left in 1972 to join The O'Jays, and was replaced by Harold Jenkins (who had already been functioning as the group's choreographer). Jenkins and Seymour had previously performed together in The Impacts. Little Anthony left for a second (more successful) attempt at a solo career. The trio of Collins, Wade, and Jenkins continued as "The Imperials".
Clarence Collins left in 1988 and was replaced by Sherman James. They toured as "Bobby Wade's Imperials". James left in 1992, and was replaced by Ron Stevenson. That same year, Collins, Wright, Strain, and Little Anthony reunited for a concert at Madison Square Gardens. When the decision was made for the foursome to tour together again, Wade relinquished the Imperials name, with his group becoming "Bobby Wade's Emperors". They became the house band at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Little Anthony, Collins, Wright, and Strain continued touring as "Little Anthony and the Imperials". Strain retired in 2004, and Harold Jenkins returned to take his place.
They were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame on October 15, 2006.
Goin' Out of My Head
Little Anthony & The Imperials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
Over you, over you
I want you to want me, I need you so badly
I can't think of anything but you
And I think I'm goin' out of my head
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
I see you each morning
But you just walk past me you don't even know that I exist
Goin' out of my head over you
Out of my head over you out of my head day and night
Night and day and night, wrong or right
I must think of a way into your heart
There's no reason why my being shy should keep us apart
And I think I'm goin' out of my head
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
Goin' out of my head over you
Out of my head over you out of my head day and night
Night and day and night, wrong or right
Night and day and night
Wrong or right, day or night
Everyday, every, every day
The song "Goin' Out of My Head" by Little Anthony & The Imperials is a classic love song from the 1960s that explores the overwhelming feeling of being head over heels in love with someone. The lyrics express the singer's desperation to be with the object of their affection and the pain of feeling unrequited love. The repetition of the line "I think I'm goin' out of my head" highlights the intensity of the emotions being felt and the all-consuming nature of love. The singer acknowledges that they are completely obsessed with this person, unable to focus on anything else and feeling like they are losing their mind.
The verses describe the singer's daily struggle of seeing the person they are in love with, but not being noticed or acknowledged. The line "You don't even know that I exist" conveys a sense of being invisible and insignificant to the person they love. The pre-chorus expresses the singer's desire to find a way to capture the heart of their love interest, acknowledging that their shyness has been a hindrance. The chorus repeats the opening line and emphasizes the point that the singer is completely consumed by thoughts of their love interest day and night, and that they are willing to do anything to make their love requited.
Overall, the song portrays the intense emotions of love in a relatable and universal way, and the simple yet catchy melody has made it a timeless classic that is still beloved many decades after it was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head
I feel like I am losing my mind
Yes, I think I'm goin' out of my head
I am almost certain that I am losing my mind
Over you, Over you
It is because of my love for you that I feel this way
I want you to want me, I need you so badly
I desire your love and affection and I crave you intensely
I can't think of anything but you
You are constantly on my mind and I cannot focus on anything else
I see you each morning
Every day I catch a glimpse of you
But you just walk past me
But you do not acknowledge me or show any interest in me
You don't even know that I exist
I am invisible to you and you have no idea that I am here
Goin' out of my head over you
My love for you is driving me crazy
Out of my head over you
I cannot escape these intense feelings of love for you
Out of my head day and night
These feelings consume me every moment of the day and night
Night and day and night, Wrong or right
These feelings persist despite whether they are reasonable or foolish
I must think of a way Into your heart
I need to find a way for you to reciprocate my feelings and love me back
There's no reason why My being shy Should keep us apart
I realize my shyness is preventing me from pursuing what I want and should not be a barrier between us
And I think I'm goin' out of my head
I just cannot shake these intense feelings of love for you
Goin' out of my head over you
You are driving me absolutely crazy with desire and love
Out of my head over you
These feelings are taking over my every thought and action
Out of my head day and night
There is no escape from these constant feelings of love for you
Night and day and night, Wrong or right
Whether it makes sense or not, these feelings persist day in and day out
Night and day and night
These feelings of love for you never stop
Wrong or right, day or night
No matter if it is reasonable or not, these feelings persist always
everyday, every, every day
These feelings are an everyday struggle that I can never escape from
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@storming.
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@paulhowarth4892
These oldies are so much better than today's songs. Timeless.
@freddiemontanez8461
I totally agree.
@jsky331
Much better. No comparison
@oliviak.9018
you think this is better than classics like “Rich Baby Daddy”
by all timers Drake and Kanye West?