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.
Never Had a Love Like This Before
Tavares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You sure have got me, girl
At last I'm past the fantasy
Into my reality, oh yes, you are
More than just the love talkin'
Hey girl, we've got it workin', workin', workin'
Oh, I never had a love like this before
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love
I'm so glad that I was patient
Lord, sent me your heavenly creation, oh yes, he did
You're all I needed, needed, yeah
Oh, but it's all I conceded
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love like this before
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love
Love's in your tender touch
Cause everyday askin' for too much
Oh, I'm in love with what you doin'
Never get tired, I'ma watchin' you
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love like this before
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love
I've been in a lotta situation
But never like this before, oh no
There's been so much, so much anticipation
[?] and everybody needs it
Everybody's lookin' for a good situation
Uptown, downtown, all around the world
Lookin' for the right girl
Hopin' an' prayin', oh, some never find it
Right boy or the right girl
Looking for the right boy, looking for the right girl
Hear what the fellas are sayin'
Never, never ever, ever, ever, never had a love like this before
Never, never, no, no
Never, never ever, ever, ever
Ever had a love like this before
Do you hear what fellas are sayin'?
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love like this before
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love like this before
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love like this before
Never had a love like this before
Oh, I never had a love
In "Never Had a Love Like This Before" by Tavares, the singer expresses his astonishment and joy at having found a love that surpasses any he's had before. He's past the fantasy and into his reality, and he credits the object of his affection with making this possible. He's never experienced love like this before, and he's grateful for the patience it took to find it. The singer is moved by the tenderness of his lover's touch and expresses that his expectations are not too much to ask for. The song emphasizes how rare and valuable true love is, and that it's worth waiting for to find that perfect person.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you sure
The singer acknowledges that they have been captured by the girl's charm.
You sure have got me, girl
The singer admits that the girl has won their heart and affection.
At last I'm past the fantasy
The singer is happy that they have moved from imagination to reality in their relationship with the girl.
Into my reality, oh yes, you are
The girl has become a tangible reality in the artist's life.
More than just the love talkin'
The love between the artist and the girl is not mere talk but is visible in their actions and interactions.
Hey girl, we've got it workin', workin', workin'
The relationship between the singer and the girl is productive and fulfilling.
I'm so glad that I was patient
The singer is happy that they took their time and waited for the perfect person.
Lord, sent me your heavenly creation, oh yes, he did
The artist considers the girl a gift from God and is thankful for her presence in their life.
You're all I needed, needed, yeah
The girl is the only thing the artist requires to be happy and satisfied in a relationship.
Oh, but it's all I conceded
The artist admits that they have surrendered everything to the girl because of their love and admiration for her.
Love's in your tender touch
The girl's touch is affectionate and indicates their love for the singer.
Cause everyday askin' for too much
The artist wants to experience the girl's love each day and will always ask for it.
Oh, I'm in love with what you doin'
The girl's actions and behaviors make the singer fall deeper in love with her.
Never get tired, I'ma watchin' you
The singer is always interested in observing the girl and admiring her actions.
I've been in a lotta situation
The singer has had many experiences in their life, including relationships.
But never like this before, oh no
The relationship with the girl is unique and incomparable to anything the artist has experienced before.
There's been so much, so much anticipation
The artist has been eagerly waiting for a relationship like the one they share with the girl.
[?] and everybody needs it
The singer believes that everyone needs the type of love they share with the girl.
Everybody's lookin' for a good situation
Many people are searching for the right relationship or partner.
Uptown, downtown, all around the world
The search for love is universal, regardless of location or social class.
Lookin' for the right girl
The artist acknowledges that finding the right partner is crucial for a good relationship.
Hopin' an' prayin', oh, some never find it
Despite searching for love, some people never find the right partner.
Right boy or the right girl
The singer believes that finding the right partner is essential for a good relationship and a fulfilling life.
Looking for the right boy, looking for the right girl
The search for true love requires finding the right partner, regardless of gender.
Hear what the fellas are sayin'
The singer notes the opinions of other men regarding love and relationships.
Never, never ever, ever, ever, never had a love like this before
The singer emphasizes that their current relationship with the girl is unmatched, and they have never experienced anything like it before.
Never, never, no, no
The singer continues to emphasize that they have never experienced a love like this before.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARNOLD MCCULLER, LEN RON HANKS, ZANE GREY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KELINA AYERS
TAVARES THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG
I LOVE AND COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF HEARING 24/7,
BECAUSE "I NEVER HAD A LOVE
LIKE THIS BEFORE" AND I'M OLD
SCHOOL TO MY HEART SO MY
DAY CAN BE LOST WITHOUT
HEARING THIS AS MY DAILY
AND FAVORITE TO GET ME MOTIVATED TO START MY
DAY WITH SUCH GREAT SONG
AND MUSIC TO MY EARS, SO
THANK YOU "TAVARES" FOR SHARING YOUR GREAT TALENT
TO THE WORLD, PEACE
m00nharvester
In all my 47 years on this planet, I've never heard this song before. Now, that I have I'll be listening to it as long as I'm alive. I've already listened to it 10 times, and that's been in the past 30's minutes. And, for those who thumbed down the song, you've never had a love of any kind.
Shirley Butler
OMG I guess u just hit the jackpot with this beautiful classic ๐. I grew up on this magical sound so grateful to have lived through this era of beautiful music this kind of music will never go out of style โคDo you agree??? This beautiful classic just moves one's soul in the right direction 4SURE!!! This is what true talented sounds like ๐๐. I will always cherished this beautiful classic as long as live can't have it no other way โค๐ What a MASTERPIECE AMEN MEMORIES WOW GOOD ODE DAYS 4ME ๐ฏ That beat and lyrics just flows AMAZING โค๐ Still listening how about October 18 2021
m00nharvester
@Shirley Butler I love it, also. I can't believe I've never heard it before. I must have been under a rock.
Shirley Butler
@m00nharvester I'm a ode skool JUNKIE ๐๐ฏ I will always have ode skool music in my blood 4EVER!! Can't have it no other way โค๐. Ode skool music is so PRECIOUS to me always and 4EVER. ๐๐๐.Stay Safe And Healthy ๐ NEW YORK IN DA HOUSE 4SURE ๐๐๐
Shirley Butler
@m00nharvester Oh yeah!!! MOON Better Late Than Never ๐๐ฏ Some of 2day music will make a dog run under a big rock and cry for HELP ๐๐๐๐
m00nharvester
@Shirley Butler I'm just now receiving this notification. But, yes, this music is horrible nowadays. I refuse to listen to it. Stay safe, sis.
Amy Jr
A blast from the past and still hits todayโจโจ๐ช ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Shirley Butler
OMG You just hit a homerun with those comments ๐ฏ๐I'm soooooo damn happy I grew up on this magical sound so grateful to have lived through this era of beautiful music this kind of music will never go out of style and the lyrics and that beat just jank ur heartstrings for decades ๐๐ Real music with meaningful lyrics u can understand ๐ฏ๐ฏโค๏ธ A trip down memory lane good ode days I was in my twenties carefree INDEED!!!!Still listening how about September 04 2022
Vanessa Anderson
Ok ๐๐พ February 18 2023.
D Williams
Nothing beats the 1970s when time was nice and the music was great ๐..