The group's first single was "For The First Time", released in 1964 by Carnival Records. Many consider August 15, 1964, the date of recording, to be the official start of the group. The group continued recording with great success, with the songs written by various members of the group. In 1968, the group received the award "Most Promising Group" by NATRA. In 1969, the group moved to the Deluxe record label of King Records. They then went on a college tour. While playing at Kittrell College in North Carolina, the group met another group, the New Imperials, who featured a member Gerald Alston, nephew of The Shirelles' lead singer, Shirley Alston-Reeves. They were so impressed with Alston that they asked him to join the group, but he declined.
Tragedy struck the group late in 1970 when George Smith fell down a flight of stairs and later took ill. Unable to perform, the group began to search for a new lead. They originally tried for The Cymballs' lead, Lee Williams, but he was not willing to leave them. The group then renewed their request to Gerald Alston (born 8 November 1942, in North Carolina), who accepted, and took over the lead spot. George Smith died of a brain tumor December 16, 1970.
The group continued recording through the 1970s with Alston on lead. They hit it big in 1976 with "Kiss and Say Goodbye", written by Blue Lovett and arranged by Bobby Martin (Martin being from New York City). It shot to Number one on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts, and became the second single ever to go platinum. Taylor left in 1976 to concentrate on his conversion to Islam, but the group continued as a quartet.
The group hit it big again in March of 1980, with the release of "Shining Star", which reached #5 on the Billboard charts. It received a Grammy award the following year. The group celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1985 with the release of Too Hot To Stop It. It included the Bivins/Smith penned tune "We Were Made As One", originally recorded in 1966, but covered in an a cappella, doo wop style, to emphasize the group's doo wop roots. The album was also dedicated to George Smith.
The group continued until 1988. That year, Alston left to record as a soloist. Roger Harris was then recruited as the new lead singer. The Columbia contract expired, so the group moved to the Valley Vue label.
The group's largest shake-up occurred in 1990, when Blue Lovett left due to health problems, and Kenny Kelley returned to college, for his PhD. Bivins, now the only original member left, took over management of the group. He recruited new members Alvin Pazant, Harsey Hemphill, and Charles Hardy. This brought the group back to a quintet. Harris proved to be only a short-term lead, however, as he left in 1991, and was replaced by new lead Wade Taylor. Taylor also only remained for a short time, leaving just a few months later. Bivins then recruited Lee Williams, the person who they had originally wanted to replace George Smith.
The current line-up of the group is Sonny Bivins, Lee Williams, Alvin Pazant, Harsey Hemphill, and Charles Hardy. They released the CD Manhattans Now in 1994, and in recent years, the group has been featured in the play, Girl, He Ain't Worth It. In 1996, they began recording under their own label, Manhattans Entertainment Inc. The Manhattans continued to tour and record.
For what would be their 30th reunion, former member Blue Lovett decided to return to the music scene with his own group of Manhattans in 1995. He brought in former lead Gerald Alston to be lead in his group. They are currently a quartet with Troy May and David Tyson, brother of The Temptations' Ron Tyson. In the past, the group also featured Eban Brown, now the lead of The Stylistics. This group has also released some CDs, including Even Now. This group was featured in two PBS specials.
Shining Star
MANHATTANS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey you are my shining star
Don't you go away, ooh baby
Wanna be right here were you are until my dying day, yeah baby
So many have tried, tried to find a love like yours and mine
Mmm mmm mmm
Girl don't you realize how you hypnotize
make me love you more each time yeah baby
Give my love to you only
To you only
To you only
Honey you are my shining star don't you go away, no baby
Wanna be right here were you are until my dying day yeah baby
Feels so good when we're lying here next to each other lost in love, yeah baby
Baby when we touch love you so much your all I ever dream of, yeah baby
Honey I'll never leave you lonely
Give my love to you only
To you
Only to you
Don't you go away girl, nooo baby
Wanna be right here were you are
Until my dying day, hmmmm
Honey you, you are my shining star don't you go away, woah oh baby
Honey you are my shing star
Don't you go away, noo baby
Honey you are my shining star
The lyrics to MANHATTANS' "Shining Star" express the singer's deep love and devotion for his significant other. The opening lines of "Honey you are my shining star" immediately set the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer declaring his love and commitment to his partner. He emphasizes that he doesn't want her to leave, and wants to be with her until his dying day. The singer recognizes and appreciates the rarity of their love, stating that "so many have tried to find a love like yours and mine."
Throughout the song, the singer continues to praise his partner, expressing how she "hypnotizes" and "makes him love her more each time." When they are together, the singer feels so good and lies there lost in love. He dreams of her constantly and never wants to leave her lonely. The chorus repeats the phrase "Honey you are my shining star," emphasizing the importance and rarity of their love.
Overall, "Shining Star" is a romantic and heartfelt love song that expresses deep devotion and appreciation for a significant other. The lyrics convey a desire to love and cherish someone forever, recognizing the uniqueness of their connection and the importance of holding onto it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooo oo oooo, yeah
An expression of excitement and joyous energy, setting the mood for the rest of the song.
Honey you are my shining star
The singer addresses their beloved as the center of their affection and admiration, likening them to a celestial body that radiates light and beauty.
Don't you go away, ooh baby
The singer expresses their desire for their beloved to remain by their side and not leave them, accompanied by a fond term of endearment.
Wanna be right here were you are until my dying day, yeah baby
The artist conveys their deep commitment and devotion to their beloved, stating their intention to stay with them until the end of their lives.
So many have tried, tried to find a love like yours and mine
The artist recognizes the rarity and value of their love, implying that others have attempted to replicate it but failed to achieve the same level of connection and happiness.
Girl don't you realize how you hypnotize
The singer compliments their beloved's charm and allure, suggesting that they have a mesmerizing effect on them.
make me love you more each time yeah baby
The singer expresses how their affection for their beloved continually grows, presumably due to their captivating qualities.
Honey I'll never leave you lonely
The artist promises to always be there for their beloved and not let them feel lonely, reaffirming their dedication and loyalty.
Give my love to you only
The artist declares that their devotion and affection are reserved solely for their beloved, indicating the exclusivity of their relationship.
Feels so good when we're lying here next to each other lost in love, yeah baby
The artist details a moment of intimacy and emotional connection with their beloved, describing the happiness and contentment it brings to them.
Baby when we touch love you so much your all I ever dream of, yeah baby
The singer expresses the depth of their emotions towards their beloved, stating that they are the embodiment of their desires and aspirations.
Don't you go away girl, nooo baby
The artist reiterates their wish for their beloved to not leave them, utilizing another term of endearment.
Wanna be right here were you are
The singer expresses their desire to remain in proximity to their beloved, indicating that their presence brings comfort and happiness.
Until my dying day, hmmmm
The singer punctuates their commitment to their beloved, with the use of a somber tone, emphasizing the seriousness of their vow.
Honey you, you are my shining star don't you go away, woah oh baby
The singer repeats their earlier address to their beloved, emphasizing the importance of their presence in their lives.
Honey you are my shining star
The artist ends the song with a final expression of their deep love and admiration for their beloved, reiterating their importance in their life.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL RICHMOND, LEO GRAHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daveandersen2484
@@andrewzboard I’m 62, it sounds like you are a bit older. Of course things have changed looking back 50-55 years. Just look at this group’s appearance. Well groomed and well dressed. Now they got tats on thier necks and pants falling off, lol
50 years ago people didn’t lock thier doors even in some big cities. Smaller towns never. An 8-10 year old kid could go out with a rake or snow shovel and make a few bucks, without worrying about stranger danger.
Nobody brought guns to school and did school shootings. They just duked it out with fists.
I still think men and women treated each other with more respect.
You bring up valid points too . Being homeless 50-55 years ago was against the law. Women were brought in out of the cold . Men were given a chance and help to find a job . And the police would call around to help the guy get work and a room to rent . If he kept losing his job and living drunk in the park or woods , he would be arrested for vagrancy. And maybe that would help him get a taste of how valuable freedom is.
They didn’t have the mass drug problem or divorce rate in the 50,s .
60,s , 70,s and 80,s brought it from 10-20 percent to 50 percent. I guess the free love thing hurt too many feelings.
@dyarlamendes2814
Ooh, yeah
Honey, you are my shining star
Don't you go away, oh, baby
Wanna be right here where you are
Until my dying day, yeah, baby
So many have tried
Tried to find a love like yours and mine, yeah, baby
Girl, don't you realize how you hypnotize?
Make me love you more each time, yeah, baby
Honey, I'll never leave you lonely (yeah)
Give my love, all to you only
To you only, to you only
Honey, you are my shining star
Don't you go away, no, baby
Wanna be right here, where you are
Until my dying day, yeah, baby
Feel so good when we're lying here next to each other
Lost in love, yeah, baby
Baby when we touch, I love you so much
You're all I have with me now, yeah, baby
Honey, I'll never leave you lonely (will)
Give my love to you only
To you only, to you only
Honey, you are my shining star
Don't you go away girl, no, baby
Wanna be right here where you are
Until my dying day
Honey, you are my shining star
Don't you go away, (ooh, ooh)
Honey, you are my shining star
Don't you go away
Honey, you (are my shining star)
(Don't you go away)
Honey, you (are my shining star)
(Don't you go away)
Honey, you (are my shining star)
(Don't you go away)
Honey, you (are my shining star)
(Don't you go away)
Honey, you are my shining star
Don't you go away (ooh, ooh), oh no
Honey, I'll never leave you lonely (oh)
Give my love to you only
To you only, to you only
Honey, you (are my shining star)
Don't you go away
@jesusisaiaszaragoza
Quien más la escucha en 2024??
@GloriaAddison-ru4uz
This was a song my husband always sang to me, we were young & in love. He's gone now but this song brings back so many memories of our life together.
@aschalewdessie4793
😢
@sandravanpelt357
This was also my husband and I song . We were also young and so in love! I too had to give him back to the Lord God 20 full moons ago .
@shannonmoon1795
Love it
@shannonmoon1795
Back when men loved women, sang love songs!! The 70s era was the BEST!!
@johnpowell9474
Sorry for your loss, but you didn't lose the love. ❤
@georgew.spradlin8333
It's a real shame music like this isn't made anymore, those of us whom were lucky enough to had grown up with it had the best music that was made.
@kellysmith8845
Agreed. A whole different generation.
@den9009
🤝👍🇺🇲❤️