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.
Please Say You Want Me
Little Anthony & the Imperials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo)
Please say you want me to (to be your love)
I have always wanted you (to be my love)
When there's stars up in the sky (you realize)
Then you will realize (that you belong to me)
I have cried so much for you (for you, my dear)
I have almost died for you (for you, my dear)
I hope you do decide (to be my love)
Then you will realize (that you belong to me)
Please say that you love me
Oh-oooooooooh, please be mine
Please say that you care for me
Then I'll stop this crying over you
(Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo)
Please say you want me to (to be your love)
I have always wanted you (to be my love)
When there's stars up in the sky (you realize)
Then you will realize (that you belong to me)
The song "Please Say You Want Me" by Little Anthony & the Imperials is a plea from the singer to the object of his affection to reciprocate his feelings. The song's repetitious melody is simple and catchy, creating a sense of longing and yearning. The lyrics begin with the singer asking the other person to admit their love for him, stating that he has always wanted them. He then goes on to say that when they see the stars in the sky, they will realize that they belong to him. The next verse reveals the depth of the singer's feelings, as he confesses that he has cried and almost died for the other person. He hopes that they will decide to be with him so that they can finally be together.
Throughout the song, the singer's desperation is palpable, as he begs for the other person's love and affection. The song ends with a final plea for the other person to say that they love him, promising to stop crying over them if they do. The lyrics, combined with the simple yet emotional melody, create a song that is both heartfelt and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Please say you want me to
I'm asking you to tell me that you want me to be your lover
I have always wanted you
I've been attracted to you for a long time
When there's stars up in the sky
When you look at the stars in the sky
Then you will realize
You'll understand
that you belong to me
that we're meant to be together
I have cried so much for you
I've shed many tears because of my love for you
I have almost died for you
My love for you is so strong that it's felt like it could kill me
I hope you do decide
I'm hoping that you'll make a decision
Please say that you love me
Tell me that you have feelings of love for me
Please be mine
Choose to be in a relationship with me
Please say that you care for me
Express that you have feelings of concern and affection for me
Then I'll stop this crying over you
If you show me that you care, I'll stop being so upset about our relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONALD HAYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind