The Tavares brothers โ Arthur Tavares, Ralph Vierra Tavares, Perry Lee Tavares, Antone Tavares, and Feliciano Tavares nicknamed "Pooch," "Tiny," "Chubby," and "Butch" โ 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.
Check It Out
Tavares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To guide you through the night
If you want someone who understands
Then things can?t get uptight
If it means anything to you
To know that I care for you
Check it out (Check it out)
I understand complications
Can sometimes bring you down
A different situation
Doesn?t always be around
And if it means anything to you
To know that I care for you
Check it out (Check it out)
Baby, check it out (Check it out)
Oh...you know my love is here to stay
And it will always be that way
Look at me (Come on and look my way)
Oh, look at me (My love is here to stay)
Oh...surely you must know
My love will always grow
Can?t you see (Look into my eyes, girl)
Mmm, can?t you see (Look into my eyes, girl)
Ooh, can?t you see (Ain?t a big surprise, girl)
There may not be a dreary day
For you to suffer through {No, no, no, no}
If you would let me lead the way
I?d give the world to you
And if it means anything to you
Hey
Check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Baby, check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Check out your mind (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Look into my eyes, girl {Look into my eyes}
Look into my eyes (Ain?t a big surprise, girl)
Check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Mmm, check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Check out your mind (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Oh, check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Look into my eyes, girl (Look into my eyes)
Look into my eyes (Ain?t a big surprise, girl)
Check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Check out your mind (Check it out, check it out, girl)
-Submitted by Mr. E
The song "Check It Out" by Tavares is about a person offering their support and comfort to someone who is going through a difficult time. The lyrics express a willingness to be a strong hand to guide them through the night and an understanding that complications in life can bring us down. The singer wants the listener to know that they care about them and that their love is here to stay.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Check it out" several times, urging the listener to pay attention to what the singer is saying and to look into their eyes. The song has an upbeat, lively melody with a disco feel, which contrasts with the serious tone of the lyrics. It was released in 1975 as a single and was a top 40 hit in the US and Canada.
Line by Line Meaning
If you need a strong hand
If you require guidance and support
To guide you through the night
To navigate through the hardships and challenges of life
If you want someone who understands
If you desire empathy and comprehension
Then things can?t get uptight
Then there's no need to worry or stress
If it means anything to you
If my feelings hold significance to you
To know that I care for you
To be aware that I have affection for you
Check it out (Check it out)
Take note of what I'm saying
Oh, check it out (Check it out)
Emphasizing the importance of what follows
I understand complications
I comprehend how life can be complex
Can sometimes bring you down
Can occasionally cause you emotional distress
A different situation
An alternative set of circumstances
Doesn?t always be around
May not always be readily available
Oh...you know my love is here to stay
My love is steadfast and enduring
And it will always be that way
And will continue to be so in the future
Look at me (Come on and look my way)
Give me your undivided attention
Oh, look at me (My love is here to stay)
Reiterating the permanence of my love
Oh...surely you must know
I believe you are already aware
My love will always grow
My feelings for you will only intensify
Can?t you see (Look into my eyes, girl)
Can't you recognize what's right in front of you?
Mmm, can?t you see (Look into my eyes, girl)
Further urging you to see my sincerity
Ooh, can?t you see (Ain?t a big surprise, girl)
It shouldn't come as a shock to you
There may not be a dreary day
You won't have to face any gloomy or sad moments
For you to suffer through {No, no, no, no}
For you to endure any emotional pain
If you would let me lead the way
If you allow me to guide and support you
I?d give the world to you
I would be willing to do anything for you
Check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Again, pay attention to what I'm saying
Check out your mind (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Focus on your thoughts and emotions
Look into my eyes, girl {Look into my eyes}
Directing you to establish eye contact
Check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Reinforcing the need to pay attention
Mmm, check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Reiterating the urgency and importance of the message
Check out your mind (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Focus on your thoughts and emotions
Oh, check it out (Check it out, check it out, girl)
Closing statement to emphasize key message
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick C
one of the best songs from the 70's ย ย
Servant George
Wow... I remember when this song when it first came out, I was 13, and with nobody to sing it to. At 49 I finally got married and after 10 years and 3 children, this song came to mind. Yesterday, I sang it to my wife, she was in tears and so was I, while our astonished children looked on and listened, I couldn't help myself, I love that woman. My children and my wife were amazed, and again, so was I, we all could not believe that this old man could still hit those notes. Man... Thank You LORD, I now have somebody to sing it to. Check it out...
Ali Blanco
Ism in tears for you both. May God keep you both together and healthy. Godbless you both.
Kim R
@Teresa Ricco Yes ma'am!๐
Teresa Ricco
One of the most beautiful songs ever!
aahmond delite
๐ฅฐ WE CAN ALSO SING IT IN OUR MIRRORS...๐
sherrie arrington
That was gorgeous thanks
Raney Hughes
Truly miss their dynamics!!! A perfect example of SAYING WHAT YOU MEAN, AND MEANING WHAT YOU SAY!!!! LOVE IT!!!
Delores Matlock
Them was good old days. Okay ๐
MrAntiSellOut
As someone who grew up in the 80's, I've always been giving my love and respect to the 70's since 1984.