The group's members were all chicanos, and their style was a blend of rhythm and blues, tejano, blues, and mariachi.[1] They first recorded in 1962 for their own label, Sunglow. Okeh Records picked up their single "Golly Gee" for national distribution that year, and in 1963, Huey Meaux, a producer from Louisiana and owner of Tear Drop Records, had them record a cover version of Little Willie John's 1958 hit, "Talk to Me". The single (b/w "Every Week, Every Month, Every Year"), released on Tear Drop Records (#3014), went to #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart, #12 on the US Black Singles chart and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1963.[2] The group followed this release with several further covers - "Rags to Riches" (Tony Bennett) b/w "Not Even Judgment Day", "Out of Sight-Out of Mind" (The Five Keys) b/w "No One Else Will Do", and "La Cacahuata" (The Peanuts) b/w "Happy Hippo".
Rags to Riches
Sunny & The Sunglows Lyrics
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If you would only say you cared.
Although my pockets may be empty,
I'd be a millionaire.
My clothes may still be torn and tattered,
But in my heart I'd be a king.
Your love is all that ever mattered,
So open your heart,
And you'll open the door,
To all the treasure,
That I'm hopin' for.
Hold me, kiss me,
And say you'll be mine,
Evermore.
Must I forever be foresaken,
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you.
So open your heart,
And you'll open the door,
To all the treasure,
That I'm hopin' for.
Hold me, kiss me,
And say you'll be mine,
Evermore.
Must I forever be foresaken,
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
Or will I go from rags to riches?
My fate is up to you.
In the song "Rags to Riches," Sunny & The Sunglows sing about the transformative power of love. The singer of the song declares that if their beloved would only express their affection, they would go from poverty to wealth. The singer admits that their clothing is "torn and tattered," but in their heart, they would feel like royalty if their love was reciprocated. The lyrics suggest that all that matters is love, not material possessions.
The singer pleads with their beloved to open their heart, and in doing so, they will unlock all the treasures that the singer hopes for. The singer longs to be held and kissed and to hear their beloved say that they will be theirs forever. The final stanza expresses the singer's desperation, asking if they will forever be forsaken or if their dreams will come true. The singer acknowledges that their fate lies in their lover's hands.
Overall, the song conveys the idea that love can be a powerful force that can lift people out of poverty and transform their lives. It also suggests that material possessions are less important than emotional fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I'd go from rags to riches,
I believe that my life will turn around for the better if you express your feelings for me.
If you would only say you cared.
My happiness depends on your confession of love.
Although my pockets may be empty,
Even though I may not have any material possessions,
I'd be a millionaire.
Your love for me is worth more than any amount of money.
My clothes may still be torn and tattered,
Even if my garments are in poor condition,
But in my heart I'd be a king.
I will feel like royalty because of your love for me.
Your love is all that ever mattered,
The only thing that truly matters to me is your love.
You're everything...
You are my world.
So open your heart,
Please allow yourself to be vulnerable and reveal your true feelings.
And you'll open the door,
By doing so, you will create an opportunity,
To all the treasure,
An opportunity that could lead to great riches,
That I'm hopin' for.
Which is what I am wishing to obtain.
Hold me, kiss me,
Please show your affection physically,
And say you'll be mine,
And assure me that you want a relationship with me, as well.
Evermore.
For eternity.
Must I forever be forsaken,
Will I always be alone and neglected,
Whose golden dreams will not come true?
And never achieve my dreams of prosperity and success.
Or will I go from rags to riches?
Or can I obtain wealth and happiness through your love,
My fate is up to you.
Which is entirely dependent upon your decision regarding our relationship.
Writer(s): Jerry Ross, Richard Adler
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.