The Tavares brothers — Arthur Tavares, Ralph Vierra Tavares, Perry Lee Tavares, Antone Tavares, and Feliciano Tavares nicknamed "Pooch," "Tiny," "Chubby," and "Butch" — started the group in 1964 as Chubby and the Turnpikes in New Bedford, MA. Their grandparents taught them traditional Cape Verde folk songs, while their older brother John schooled them on doo wop singing. In 1969, the group became Tavares. They began singing in New England clubs and were signed to Capitol Records in 1973. Their debut album, Check It Out , was issued in early 1974. The title track slow jam single went to number five R&B on Billboard's charts in summer 1973. The next single, the ballad "That's the Sound That Lonely Makes," hit number ten R&B in early 1974. Check It Out was followed by Hard Core Poetry in summer 1974, helmed by songwriting/production duo Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter (the Four Tops' "Aint No Woman Like the One I Got"). It listed the soaring number ten hit "Too Late," the number one hit "She's Gone," and "Remember What I Told You to Forget," which hit number four in 1975. Lambert & Potter produced In the City (summer 1975), which yielded the driving number one hit "It Only Takes a Minute," "Free Ride" (a 1973 pop smash for the Edgar Winter Group), and "The Love I Never Had." Take That's 1993 cover of "It Only Takes a Minute" was a U.K. hit.
Tavares' album Sky High (spring 1976) was the group's first collaboration with producer Freddie Perren. Perren seemed to have an affinity for family singing groups, having had hits with the Jackson 5 ("I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save") as a member of the Motown arrangers/songwriters/producers collective The Corporation, and would later go to have hits with the Sylvers ("Boogie Fever"). Sky High boasted the sparkling number three R&B hit "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel (Part 1)" from summer 1976. Their fifth LP, Love Storm was issued in spring 1977 and included the clever number one R&B hit "Whodunit" in spring 1977.
"More Than a Woman" was specifically written for Tavares by the Bee Gees and was issued as a single from the 11-million-selling Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. "More Than a Woman" was also on their Future Bound LP released in spring 1978. A greatest hits set, The Best of Tavares, was released in fall 1977. On 1979's Madame Butterfly LP, the group worked with Philly soul arranger/producer Bobby Martin (the Manhattans, LTD). The sweet ballad "Never Had a Love Like This Before" went to number five R&B in early 1979.
In 1994, Canadian label Unidisc released The Best of Tavares Revisited, which had re-recordings by the group of their past hits.
Bad Times
Tavares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blue collar pride, breathing that salty earth
Pay every price, can't keep that dollar bill
It ain't much desire when you're done, lost your will
Talkin' 'bout bad times
Here in these sad times
Cop what you can, get yourself over it
That border line don't really bother me
It ain't what you are, it's what you got to be
Talkin' 'bout bad times
Here in these sad times
That six and one, better than nothing at all
Not for the break that don't ever come
Talkin' 'bout bad times and bad times
Can you dig it?
Talkin' 'bout bad times and bad times
Gonna get you old
Talkin' 'bout bad timin', bad timin'
Bad times, and bad times
Gonna get you old
Don't pray enough to spend the night and wait
Standing too long before it's gets far too late
That ain't your pride, don't burn no candlelight
Ain't not a trip, you got to get old to die
Talkin' 'bout bad times
Here in these sad times
That six and one, better than nothing at all
Not for the break that don't ever come
Talkin' 'bout bad times and bad times
Can you dig it?
Talkin' 'bout bad times and bad times
Gonna get you old
Talkin' 'bout bad timin', bad timin'
Bad times and bad times
Gonna get you old
Talkin' 'bout bad times
Here in these sad times
That six and one, better than nothing at all
Not for the break that don't ever come
Talkin' 'bout bad times and bad times
Can you dig it?
Talkin' 'bout bad times and bad times
Gonna get you old
Talkin' 'bout bad timin', bad timin'
Bad times and bad times
Gonna get you old
I'm talkin' to you, you're talkin' to me
In these sad, sad times
Bad times, bad times
Can you dig, dig, dig, dig, d, dig it
Bad times, bad times
Can you dig, dig, dig, dig it
Bad times, bad times
Can you dig, dig, dig, dig, d, dig it
Bad times, bad times
Can you dig it?
Let's talk about good times, good times
Can you dig it?
Let's talk about good times, good times
Can you dig it?
Let's talk about good times, good times
Can you dig it?
Let's talk about good times, good times
Can you?
Tavares's song "Bad Times" is a song about struggling through difficult times and trying to make the best of it. The lyrics suggest feelings of desperation, frustration, and a sense of hopelessness. The first verse talks about the feeling of being one step behind and not being valued, despite being a hard worker. It highlights the struggle of blue-collar workers who work hard but can't seem to get ahead financially. The chorus emphasizes the idea of bad times and the difficulties people experience in life, while the second verse describes the feeling of being too old to try and not being young enough to make a significant change. It's like one is stuck in a place where he cannot move ahead and feels suffocated. It is a common concept felt by many people who are in a similar situation.
The song seems to acknowledge the idea that bad times are a part of life and a reality that everyone has to go through at some point. However, the lyrics suggest that it is essential to keep going and try to find the good amidst the struggles. The last few lines of the song suggest that despite all the bad times, it is always possible to find good times if we focus on them.
Overall, Tavares's "Bad Times" is a powerful song that acknowledges the struggles and difficulties people face in life. The lyrics suggest that although bad times are challenging, it is essential to keep going and stay optimistic as better days are just around the corner.
Line by Line Meaning
One step behind don't make you what you're worth
Being slightly less capable than the best doesn't determine your true value
Blue collar pride, breathing that salty earth
Taking pride in working hard physical labor
Pay every price, can't keep that dollar bill
You can work hard and still struggle financially
It ain't much desire when you're done, lost your will
Losing motivation and purpose can make everything feel pointless
Too old to try, ain't young enough to split
Feeling too old to start something new but too young to give up and retire
Cop what you can, get yourself over it
Make the best of what's available to you and move on
That border line don't really bother me
Not letting societal expectations limit your self-worth
It ain't what you are, it's what you got to be
Success is often determined by what you are willing to become
That six and one, better than nothing at all
Making the most of what little you have
Not for the break that don't ever come
Rare opportunities that never arise
Don't pray enough to spend the night and wait
Not relying on luck to improve your situation
Standing too long before it's gets far too late
Being afraid to move on even when it's necessary
That ain't your pride, don't burn no candlelight
Pretending to be something you're not is not true pride
Ain't not a trip, you got to get old to die
Life is not a journey, but rather an inevitable end
Bad times, bad times
Difficult times, struggles and hardships
Can you dig, dig, dig, dig, d, dig, it
Are you able to understand, relate to this message
Let's talk about good times, good times
Reflecting on happier times and looking forward to more
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RIPP ENT GROUP, INC DBA HOME GROWN MUSIC
Written by: MCMAHON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gtommac
I wrote this song some years ago & I performed it as well in the 1980 movie DEFIANCE as the opening credits rolled. And this by Travares was my first song ever to be recorded by an established group/artist. It was such an honor & exciting seeing it climb to #10 on the R&B charts that year it came out! Gerard McMahon aka G Tom Mac
@Greyareas27
+Gerard
Love this song. Didn't you also do something for Earth Wind & Fire? I always thought this also sounded like something they might do.
@bernadettegriffin8569
Bloody great group to have your work recorded by. Classy and talented.
@greatmusicneverdies6253
Tavares is perhaps the finest R&B group of all time. Total class...they quietly dominated the R&B Charts during the 70's
@achillesserries8464
This is great work and thought.
@Bibbs65
Gerard profound lyrics
@woodchuck40
This song actually made me quit a gang. I was leaving a friend's funeral when this song came on the radio back in the 80s and it hit me hard. After my friend dropped me off, I told him I was done. Years later, I'm a grandfather with 2 albums under my belt and a gold record hanging on my living room wall. I became a bass player, and I played bass on India.Arie's "There's Hope" and I am old school southern rapper Tony MF Rock. This song probably saved my life!
@giltracy505
God Bless you!
@willardlockejr2965
@Anthony Durham May the good Lord continue to bless you and keep you safe.
@j3193music
I know this song 37 years now and it still sends chills down my spine......and that's a good thing!