Sheppard and Bassett, both from Queens County, New York, and Baskerville, originally from Virginia, organized a group in Queens in 1960. This was billed initially as Shane Sheppard And The Limelites, but quickly became Shep and the Limelites. All three had previous experience in other groups: Shep with The Heartbeats (notable for "A Thousand Miles Away"); Bassett with The Five Sharps and then, with Baskerville, in The Videos.
Shep & The Limelites' recording sessions for Hull Records started in August 1960. They recorded the original version of "Daddys Home" on February 1, 1961. "Daddy's Home" reached no. 2 on the Billboard popular music chart in May, and was covered by P J Proby (1970) Jermaine Jackson (1972), Toots and the Maytals (Funky Kingston 1973), Junior English, and Cliff Richard (1981). Later songs were not as successful as "Daddy's Home", but still sold well; among these were "What Did Daddy Do", "Ready For Your Love" and "Our Anniversary".
Kahl Music, publisher of "A Thousand Miles Away", an earlier song written by Sheppard, sued Keel Music, publisher of "Daddy's Home", for copyright violation. Keel eventually lost, and this resulted in the end of the Limelites and Hull Records in 1966. Bassett joined The Flamingos and Baskerville joined The Players and then The Drifters. Sheppard re-formed the Limelites in the late 1960s, but was murdered on January 24, 1970. He died in his car on the Long Island Expressway as a result of injuries sustained in a robbery. Baskerville died, at age 58 on January 18, 1995 in New York. Bassett died on January 25, 2005, at age 68 from the complications of emphysema, at his home in Richmond, Virginia.
James Sheppard's legacy includes the composing of rock 'n' roll's first song cycle. Writing songs for both the Heartbeats and Shep and the Limelites, he tells the story of going home to his girl, with twists along the way, getting married, and celebrating their anniversary. The songs that told this story were "A Thousand Miles Away", "500 Miles to Go", both with the Heartbeats; and then "Daddy's Home", "Three Steps from the Altar," "Our Anniversary", and "What Did Daddy Do?" for Shep and the Limelites.
Discography
Singles
"Too Young to Wed" / "Two Lovin' Hearts" Apt 25039 1960
"I'm So Lonely" / "One Week from Today" Apt 25046 1961
"Daddy's Home" / "This I Know" Hull 45-H-740 Mar 1961
"Ready for Your Love" / "You'll Be Sorry" Hull 45-H-742 May 1961 [7] charted at #42
"Three Steps From The Alter"/"Oh, What a Feeling" Hull 45-H-747 1961
"Our Anniversary" / "Who Told the Sandman" Hull 45-H-748 Feb 1962
Pledging My Love
Shep & The Limelites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The skies may fall, my love
But I will still be true.
All my sighs will disappear at last,
Now that you're here at last,
My heart belongs to you.
Oh, don't you ever let me go,
You thrill me so.
I've waited all my life
To give you AL My Love.
Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay,
The lyrics to "Pledging My Love" by Shep & The Limelites evoke themes of unwavering commitment and devotion in a romantic relationship. The singer expresses a profound declaration of love and dedication to their partner, promising to remain faithful and true regardless of any challenges that may arise. The opening lines, "All My Love, I give you All My Love," establish a sense of wholeheartedness and sincerity in the singer's sentiment, emphasizing the depth of their emotions.
The imagery of "The skies may fall, my love But I will still be true" suggests a steadfast and enduring love that transcends external circumstances. Despite any potential hardships or obstacles that may come their way, the singer asserts their unwavering loyalty and fidelity to their beloved. The repetition of "All my sighs will disappear at last, Now that you're here at last," conveys a sense of relief and completion upon finding true love, as though the lover's presence has brought solace and fulfillment to the singer's life.
"My heart belongs to you" encapsulates the essence of surrendering oneself fully to another, entrusting them with one's deepest feelings and affections. The plea, "Oh, don't you ever let me go, You thrill me so," illustrates the intense emotional connection and exhilaration experienced in the relationship, highlighting the desire for the partner to remain by their side. The nostalgic reflection on waiting "all my life" to give their love further emphasizes the depth of longing and anticipation that preceded the union of hearts.
The repeated refrain of "Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay," serves as a melodic punctuation to the impassioned declarations of love, adding an element of musicality and emotion to the lyrical expression. Overall, the lyrics to "Pledging My Love" by Shep & The Limelites capture the essence of profound love, devotion, and dedication in a relationship, portraying a heartfelt commitment to cherishing and honoring the bond shared with a beloved partner.
Line by Line Meaning
All My Love, I give you All My Love
I wholeheartedly offer my love to you
The skies may fall, my love
Even if everything goes wrong, I will remain faithful to you
But I will still be true
I will always stay loyal to you
All my sighs will disappear at last
Any sadness I feel will vanish with your presence
Now that you're here at last
Being with you makes everything better
My heart belongs to you
I have given my heart to you completely
Oh, don't you ever let me go
Please never leave me, you bring me joy
You thrill me so
You excite and delight me
I can see, as I recall my life
Reflecting on my past, I am certain
I've waited all my life
I have been waiting for you my whole life
To give you All My Love
To express my love to you completely
Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay
Expressing joy and happiness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ryan Leslie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nathanrutherford1930
I'm just an old old man now at 93-years-old but I still remember when this song was released only I wasn't listening through a tablet screen I was listening through a real record back then... my wife and I loved all of these romance songs and we were married for 68 years until she passed away. Thank you Johnny Ace for your music, if you were alive today you would know the impact you had and the joy you provided for a lifetime...
@heiltd1286
C&W great David Allan Coe was a big admirer of this man.
@alpetkiewicz6805
🙏❤️😥😪
@sunnyday8735
I love your song 🎵 ❤❤❤❤❤😊😊very much ...😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤😊
@sunnyday8735
Sorry to hear that your lost your wife ❤😢😢
I'm.pretty sure she has the best place in Heaven ❤❤❤❤❤
@andrewmcnulty6789
Yeah, I don’t believe you…. 😂
@Einny807
I'm 72 years old. This is the song we chose for our first dance on our wedding day.
@user-wp1gy6zr8w
GOD BLESS YOU PARTNER UP UP BIG UPS
@RosaMartinez-be1qq
I work in a Nursing Home and I’m sitting here with a male resident I’ve been visiting for 4 months now. I really enjoy chatting with him! He told me to play this song for him on my speaker and I am in love with it. It brought tears to his eyes. I just love being with the elderly they have so much wisdom and they especially had awesome music 🎼 🎵
@monicacoman5424
This is beautifully done, but you need to listen to Elvis Presley's version it so much more beautiful