Gene Puerling and Don Shelton had originally formed part of the successful all-male vocal group, The Hi-Lo's, some years previously. The Singers Unlimited Group were originally formed to record for commercials in the USA, but as time progressed, they were persuaded to enter the recording studio to record a series of albums. On the recommendation of Oscar Peterson (who was also signed to the label at the time), they gained a contract with German label MPS. They recorded two albums in 1971, the first a cappella, the second with Peterson's then current trio.
The group produced 15 albums, of which arguably the most well-known is their Christmas Album (which was actually recorded before the group's association with MPS.) All of the 14 albums they recorded specifically for MPS (between the years 1971-1982) are collected in the 7 CD box set entitled Magic Voices.
Magic VoicesPuerling's Singers Unlimited arrangements earned him the reputation as one of the best vocal writers in the world. The renowned jazz-gospel vocal group Take 6 often gives credit to Puerling and the Singers Unlimted as innovators in the a cappella world, claiming that Take 6 "went to school" on Puerling's arrangements.
Puerling took advantage of cutting-edge multitracking techniques of German studio engineer Hans George Brunner-Schwer to create his advanced harmonic concepts and the group's signature sound. In the overdubbing process, baritone Puerling and tenor Shelton would often add two additional middle parts, after which all parts were "doubled" and "tripled." Creating these extra tracks created the fuller, richer sound of the group's recordings, and is now a common recording practice.
Len Dresslar (born 1924), bass of the Singers Unlimited, arguably best known as the voice of the Jolly Green Giant ("Ho, Ho, Ho!") for well over 40 years, as well as the voice behind countless other jingles from Chicago, passed away in 2005. He had also been the President of the Chicago branch of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) for several years in the mid to late eighties.
Try To Remember
Singers Unlimited Lyrics
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When life was slow and oh so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September,
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September,
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Try to remember when life was so tender,
That no one wept except the willow,
Try to remember when life was so tender,
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender,
That love was an ember about to billow,
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow (follow) follow
(Follow, deep in December it's nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.)
Deep in December it's nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December our heart's should remember,
And follow (follow) follow (follow) follow
The song "Try to Remember" by Singers Unlimited is an ode to a nostalgic September that the singer is trying to remember. September is often regarded as one of the most beautiful months of the year for its lush greenery and golden fields of grain. The singer wants to reminisce the time when life was slow, tender and mellow, and everything seemed perfect.
The lyrics portray a sense of innocence, with lines such as "When grass was green and grain was yellow" and "dreams were kept beside your pillow." The singer also reflects on how "love was an ember about to billow," suggesting that love was gentle, fragile and just about to bloom, which adds to the tender nostalgia of the song.
The second verse speaks of how no one wept but the willow, which further adds to the sense of melancholy and intense emotional vulnerability that the singer wishes to recapture. The song ends on the note that it's nice to remember the warmth of September even while facing the biting cold of winter.
Overall, "Try to Remember" is a beautiful song that invites listeners to cherish and hold onto memories of simpler times while looking ahead to the future with hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to remember the kind of September
Reflect on the past and recall the specific details of September
When life was slow and oh so mellow
When everything felt calm and peaceful with no rush in life
When grass was green and grain was yellow
When nature was at its peak with vibrant colors all around
When you were a tender and callow fellow
When you were young and inexperienced in life
Then follow (follow) follow (follow) follow
Allow yourself to be transported to that time and live in the moment
When life was so tender, That no one wept except the willows
When life was so gentle that not even the one who normally cries was shedding tears
That dreams were kept beside your pillow
When you had all your hopes and aspirations close to you
That love was an ember about to billow
When love was just starting to take flame and grow
Then follow (follow) follow
Embrace the memory and let it guide you in the present
(Follow, deep in December it's nice to remember, Although you know the snow will follow.
It’s good to reminisce, even if it’s in the winter knowing that the cold will inevitably come
Deep in December it's nice to remember, The fire of September that made us mellow.
In the middle of winter, reflecting on the warmth of a past September can bring comfort
Deep in December our heart's should remember, And follow (follow) follow (follow) follow
Even in the darkest days of winter, let the memories guide you and stay connected to what once brought joy
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARVEY SCHMIDT, TOM JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind