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.
Strangers in Dark Corners
Tavares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
True love in the disguise
I can′t help myself, no I won't hurt!
I′m doing things against my pride.
But, love has come again, to what was a lonely man,
Should I... just forget the joy's for which she holds
Ignore my heart, let my mind take control, and lie?
Alone... we just strangers in dark corners
Four eyes staring at each other
Just fully searching inside,
Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
Just for one night!
After, going for days alone with no sleep
Waiting for that opportunity, to hide
Alone.we just strangers, We just strangers
Alone. in dark corners
In love.Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
Just for one night!
After going for days alone with no sleep
Waiting for that opportunity, to hide
Alone.we just strangers, We just two strangers
In dark corners
Two hearts beating fast
We just strangers in dark corners
Trying to make every minute last
Alone.we just strangers, We just two strangers.
The song "Strangers in Dark Corners" by Tavares is a heartfelt ballad about two people who are trying to find connection and love in a chance encounter in a dark corner. The song begins by describing what seems like a forbidden love, with the lyrics "true love in disguise" and the admission that the singer is doing things that go against their pride. It seems like the relationship is uncertain and temporary, with the line "should I just forget the joy's for which she holds" hinting at a potential future separation.
Despite this uncertainty, the song also speaks to the power of love and its ability to bring happiness to an otherwise lonely life. The chorus emphasizes the two protagonists' status as strangers in dark corners, searching for a way to bring joy into their world for just one night. The song creates a sense of urgency and desire, with the two characters trying to make every moment they have together last.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of love and the emotional complexity of human relationships. The lyrics capture the bittersweet feeling of a love that seems doomed to end almost as soon as it begins. However, it also highlights the transformative power of love, the way it can bring light into even the darkest corners of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
True love in the disguise
Love is present, but hidden or not obvious in the situation.
I can't help myself, no I won't hurt!
I am unable to resist my feelings, but I do not want to cause any harm.
I'm doing things against my pride.
My actions contradict my personal beliefs or values.
But, love has come again, to what was a lonely man,
Love has entered into the life of someone who was once alone and lonely.
Should I... just forget the joy's for which she holds
Should I ignore the happiness that my love interest brings me?
Ignore my heart, let my mind take control, and lie?
Should I suppress my emotions and deceive myself about what I truly want?
Alone... we just strangers in dark corners
We are together, but isolated from others and not well-known.
Two hearts on a lovers path
The two of us are in a romantic relationship and share a common path.
Four eyes staring at each other
We make eye contact, indicating a strong connection and focus on each other.
Just fully searching inside,
We are both introspective and attempting to find a deeper meaning or understanding.
Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
We hope to find a means to bring happiness to each other's lives or the world around us.
Just for one night!
This happiness may only last for a short period of time.
After, going for days alone with no sleep
Having spent many lonely and restless nights.
Waiting for that opportunity, to hide
Anticipating a chance to escape or keep our relationship hidden from others.
In love.Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
Our romantic feelings inspire us to seek happiness and positivity where we can.
Just for one night!
This pursuit may only be temporary, and we may have to return to our previous loneliness.
Two hearts beating fast
Sharing a growing sense of passion and emotion.
We just strangers in dark corners
Despite being in a romantic relationship, we are still relatively unknown and hidden from others.
Trying to make every minute last
We appreciate and value the time we get to spend together.
Alone... we just strangers, We just two strangers.
Even while together, our isolation and lack of familiarity with each other creates a sense of distance or separation.
In dark corners
We remain hidden and shielded away from the rest of the world.
Writer(s): Bristol Johnny William
Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
_IlPac_
Strangers In Dark Corners
True love in the disguise
I can't help myself, no I won't hurt!
I'm doing things against my pride.
But, love has come again, to what was a lonely man,
Should I... just forget the joy's for which she holds
Ignore my heart, let my mind take control, and lie?
Alone... we just strangers in dark corners
Two hearts on a lovers path
Four eyes staring at each other
Just fully searching inside,
Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
Just for one night!
After, going for days alone with no sleep
Waiting for that opportunity, to hide
Alone.we just strangers, We just strangers
Alone. in dark corners
In love.Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
Just for one night!
After going for days alone with no sleep
Waiting for that opportunity, to hide
Alone.we just strangers, We just two strangers
In dark corners
Two hearts beating fast
We just strangers in dark corners
Trying to make every minute last
Alone.we just strangers, We just two strangers.
Clive Temple
Pure class. The arrangement, the lyrics, singing, musicianship, sound engineering, it's all there. Big sounds in the 70s. Evocative, emotional. Brilliant.
Nadine Briggs
Their music means more now than ever. I first heard them in junior high school, "1974". Although I lost touch through the years, thank god for You Tube and technology. I Love Tavares. I will never stop playing their music.
Emmitill
Nadine BriggsYour right on, I had forgot about this song, but it stayed with me all this time.
Debbie Ayala
Nadine Briggs yes rightious im feeling it you ask and you got it lols
Debbie Ayala
this is old school much respects
Eric Biesecker Lamantia
incredible vocals, absolutely a work of art...Beleza pura
livetoshop1
I loved this group. Doesn't get any better than this. These guys could really sing.
jmdona7
This song saw me through tremendous grief that year when my boyfriend at that time was killed. I'll never forget the hours I spent listening to this crying and healing...
_IlPac_
Strangers In Dark Corners
True love in the disguise
I can't help myself, no I won't hurt!
I'm doing things against my pride.
But, love has come again, to what was a lonely man,
Should I... just forget the joy's for which she holds
Ignore my heart, let my mind take control, and lie?
Alone... we just strangers in dark corners
Two hearts on a lovers path
Four eyes staring at each other
Just fully searching inside,
Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
Just for one night!
After, going for days alone with no sleep
Waiting for that opportunity, to hide
Alone.we just strangers, We just strangers
Alone. in dark corners
In love.Looking for a way to bring joy into their world
Just for one night!
After going for days alone with no sleep
Waiting for that opportunity, to hide
Alone.we just strangers, We just two strangers
In dark corners
Two hearts beating fast
We just strangers in dark corners
Trying to make every minute last
Alone.we just strangers, We just two strangers.
David Wayne
I am a product of the 80's.. Yet I still can appreciate the depth of love AND soul put into the making of this song....