The group sings in a contemporary style, integrating R&B and jazz influences into their devotional songs and has 10 Grammy wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations. They won Grammy Awards in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2003 and have collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Don Henley, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller and Gordon Goodwin.
In 1980, Claude McKnight formed an a cappella quartet, The Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, a Seventh-Day Adventist College, where he was a freshman. He auditioned fellow students for the hobby group. The Gentlemen were rehearsing in a campus bathroom (later said to be in Peterson Hall), getting ready for a performance, when Mark Kibble walked by and heard them singing. He joined the harmonizing, adding a fifth part, and ended up singing with them onstage that very night.[1] Mark later invited Mervyn Warren to join the group. The group performed under the moniker "Alliance".
The group performed in local churches and on campus over the next years, with members changing due to college's inevitable comings and goings. In 1985, the lower half of the group (bass, baritone, and second tenor) left upon graduating. At that time, Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, and David Thomas joined.
The group was signed to Warner Brothers in 1987, and quickly changed its name to "Take 6" after a name search revealed that "Alliance" was already being used. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1988, won them two Grammy Awards and resulted in top ten appearances on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Take 6's swinging, harmony-rich gospel sound attracted a flurry of attention, and the group went on to record or appear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder.
In 1991, after the release of their second album, So Much 2 Say, Mervyn Warren left the group to pursue a career as a producer. Joey Kibble, Mark's younger brother, was invited to round out the vocal lineup. The group added instrumentation to their purely a cappella sound beginning with the record He Is Christmas; Join The Band and Brothers continued their streak of success, and Take 6 amassed a total of seven Grammys and eight Dove awards, as well as topping the Downbeat Magazine's Reader's and Critic's poll for seven years' consecutively.
Take 6's 1998 release, So Cool, brought the group back to its a cappella origins.
In 2006 the group launched Take 6 Records and the 2006 release Feels Good was released on that label.
The group currently lists Nashville, Tennessee as its home.[2] All members grew up Seventh-Day Adventist.[
Silver Bells
Take 6 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day
Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day
The lyrics to Take 6's song Silver Bells paint a picturesque scene of the hustle and bustle of city life during the holiday season. The first verse describes the busy sidewalks and the festive air that surrounds the holiday season. The mood is further set by the sound of children laughing and people passing by, exchanging smiles. As the song progresses, the lyrics describe the various lights that adorn the city, from strings of streetlights to stoplights blinking bright red and green. The snow crunches underfoot as shoppers rush home with their treasures, and kids excitedly gather to witness Santa's grand entrance.
Through all of this, a familiar tune can be heard ringing through the air - the sound of silver bells. The chorus highlights the joyous sound of the bells and their association with Christmas in the city. The lyrics capture the essence of the holiday season and the way it transforms the bustling city into a magical wonderland.
Overall, Silver Bells is an uplifting and nostalgic song that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the joyful atmosphere of the city during this special time of year.
Line by Line Meaning
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
The streets of the city are full of people hurrying about their business.
Dressed in holiday style
The city is decorated with festive decorations to celebrate the holiday season.
In the air
There is a sense of magic and excitement all around us.
There's a feeling
There is a special feeling in the atmosphere that is unique to the holiday season.
of Christmas
This feeling is the spirit of the holiday that brings people together and fills them with joy.
Children laughing
Kids are enjoying themselves and having fun.
People passing
People are moving through the city, going about their daily lives.
Meeting smile after smile
Strangers are greeting each other with friendly smiles and good wishes for the holiday season.
And on ev'ry street corner you'll hear
The sound of Christmas music is heard everywhere in the city.
Silver bells, silver bells
The sound of silver bells ringing is being heard all around the city.
It's Christmas time in the city
The holiday season has arrived, and the city is full of festive cheer and celebration.
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
The sound of the bells is accompanied by the singing of Christmas carols.
Soon it will be Christmas day
The excitement and anticipation is building, as Christmas day is just around the corner.
Strings of street lights
The city streets are lined with bright and colorful holiday lights.
Even stop lights
Even the traffic lights are decorated for the holiday season.
Blink a bright red and green
The lights are flashing in the traditional colors of Christmas - red and green.
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
People are rushing to get their holiday shopping done and return home with their gifts.
Hear the snow crunch
The snow on the ground makes a satisfying crunching sound underfoot.
See the kids bunch
Children are gathering together to play in the snow and enjoy the holiday season.
This is Santa's big scene
This time of year is closely associated with the figure of Santa Claus and his role in bringing gifts to children.
And above all this bustle
Despite the hustle and bustle of the season, there is still a sense of peace and joy that fills the air.
You'll hear
Despite all of the sounds and activity of the city during the holidays, one thing stands out above all else.
Silver bells, silver bells
The sound of silver bells ringing is a hallmark of the holiday season.
It's Christmas time in the city
The holiday season has arrived in full force, and the city is transformed by the festive atmosphere.
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
The sound of the bells ringing and the singing of carols are the most distinctive sounds of the season.
Soon it will be Christmas day
The anticipation and excitement of Christmas day continues to build as the holiday season progresses.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind