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.
To The Other Man
Tavares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama used to take me across her lap
She used to hit me with a trap
When I was bad.
I didn't know at the time
Being bad could lead to crime
But now I'm glad
Well she kept me on the double
And now I understand
She said son you've got to give a heck
Promise you'll always give respect to the other man
When I used to make fun of others
She'd say no not to your brothers
And that ain't all
When someone is feeling low
Think of the nicest things you know
To make them feel tall
I never forget what mama said
When she kneel down and pray
For the Father's guiding hand
Throw your arms around his neck
Make him proud to give respect to the other man
Oh now that I'm a man
God has taken my mother's hand
And now I'm carrying on
Oh sometimes I'll have to weep
Mother's love I'll always keep
Cause she made me strong
And if should ever have a son
We gonna have lots of fun
And I'll teach him to understand
She said son you got to give a heck
Promise you'll always give respect to the other man
The song "To the Other Man" by Tavares is a tribute to the artist's mother who instilled in him lessons on respect, kindness and empathy towards others. The song starts with him reminiscing his childhood memories when his mother would hit him when he misbehaved. At the time, he did not understand the consequences of his actions but as he grew up and matured, he realized that the discipline and guidance his mother provided him helped him stay away from trouble. His mother also taught him to respect others, particularly those who were not his friends or family.
The song moves on to talk about how his mother taught him lessons in empathy and compassion. She would advise him not to make fun of others and to think of the nicest things he knew to uplift someone who was feeling low. The artist says "I'll never forget what mama said, when she kneel down and pray, for the Father's guiding hand, throw your arms around his neck, make him proud to give respect to the other man", which shows how much her words resonated with him and stayed with him through his life.
In the end, the artist acknowledges that his mother's teachings have made him a strong and compassionate person. He promises to carry on her legacy, and make sure that he instills these same teachings to his own son, making sure that he grows up to be respectful towards others.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Mama
The singer addresses his mother.
Mama used to take me across her lap
The mother would discipline the singer.
She used to hit me with a trap
The mother would discipline the singer with punishment that left a lasting impression.
When I was bad.
The artist would be disciplined when he did something wrong.
I didn't know at the time
The artist was ignorant of the consequences of being bad.
Being bad could lead to crime
Being bad could lead to more severe consequences.
But now I'm glad
The singer now understands the reason for the mother's discipline.
Well she kept me on the double
The mother was strict with the artist.
I stayed out of trouble
The artist avoided getting into mischief.
And now I understand
The artist now comprehends the lesson his mother taught him.
She said son you've got to give a heck
The mother encouraged the singer to value respect.
Promise you'll always give respect to the other man
The mother taught the artist to always show respect to others.
When I used to make fun of others
The singer would insult and belittle others.
She'd say no not to your brothers
The mother would scold the singer for mocking his siblings.
And that ain't all
The mother reinforced the importance of respect in all situations.
When someone is feeling low
The mother advised the artist to be considerate towards people who are sad.
Think of the nicest things you know
The artist should think of kind and positive things to say to lift someone's spirits.
To make them feel tall
The singer should make someone feel better and more confident.
I never forget what mama said
The singer remembers his mother's advice.
When she kneel down and pray
The mother prayed for her child's well-being and guidance.
For the Father's guiding hand
The mother prayed to God for help and support.
Throw your arms around his neck
The artist should embrace and show respect to others.
Make him proud to give respect to the other man
The singer should inspire others to show respect to one another.
Oh now that I'm a man
The artist is now an adult.
God has taken my mother's hand
The singer's mother has passed away and is with God.
And now I'm carrying on
The singer is continuing his life without his mother.
Oh sometimes I'll have to weep
The singer experiences sorrow and grief without his mother.
Mother's love I'll always keep
The artist will cherish and remember his mother's love.
Cause she made me strong
The mother's discipline and teachings gave the artist strength.
And if should ever have a son
If the singer has a child of his own.
We gonna have lots of fun
The singer will enjoy spending time with his child.
And I'll teach him to understand
The artist will pass on his mother's lessons of respect.
She said son you got to give a heck
The mother encouraged respect and kindness towards others.
Promise you'll always give respect to the other man
The mother wanted her child to value respect and treat others with kindness.
Writer(s): Luther Ingram, Randall Stewart, Johnny Baylor, Johnny Northern
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
George Smith
Hey Mama
Mama used to take me across her lap
She used to hit me with a strap
When I was bad.
I didn’t know at the time
Being bad could lead to crime
But now I’m glad
Well she kept me on the double
I stayed out of trouble
And now I understand
She said son you’ve got to give a heck
Promise you’ll always give respect to the other man
When I used to make fun of others
She’d say no not to your brothers
And that ain’t all
When someone is feeling low
Think of the nicest things you know
To make them feel tall
I never forget what mama said
When she kneel down and pray
For the Father’s guiding hand
Throw your arms around his neck
Make him proud to give respect to the other man
Oh now that I’m a man
God has taken my mother’s hand
And now I’m carrying on
Oh sometimes I’ll have to weep
Mother’s love I’ll always keep
Cause she made me strong
And if should ever have a son
We gonna have lots of fun
And I’ll teach him to understand
She said son you got to give a heck
Promise you’ll always give respect to the other man
George Smith
Hey Mama
Mama used to take me across her lap
She used to hit me with a strap
When I was bad.
I didn’t know at the time
Being bad could lead to crime
But now I’m glad
Well she kept me on the double
I stayed out of trouble
And now I understand
She said son you’ve got to give a heck
Promise you’ll always give respect to the other man
When I used to make fun of others
She’d say no not to your brothers
And that ain’t all
When someone is feeling low
Think of the nicest things you know
To make them feel tall
I never forget what mama said
When she kneel down and pray
For the Father’s guiding hand
Throw your arms around his neck
Make him proud to give respect to the other man
Oh now that I’m a man
God has taken my mother’s hand
And now I’m carrying on
Oh sometimes I’ll have to weep
Mother’s love I’ll always keep
Cause she made me strong
And if should ever have a son
We gonna have lots of fun
And I’ll teach him to understand
She said son you got to give a heck
Promise you’ll always give respect to the other man
Geraldine Hill
I am 56 and loved Tavares all my life got their albums seen them live in UK my idols when I was a teen thanks for taking the time to put those beautiful words up.
Svein Ramberg
A Beautiful Ballad, from the best Disco group in history !!! I love their songs - always!!! Thank you George Smith! Best wishes from cold Norway.
Arnetta Savage
Great advice Mother Tovares. Rest in Peace. Great melody.
Jessica Tui
I LOVE THIS SONG.. FEELING SOME TYPE OF WAY❤
Judy Cunagin
This is a Beautiful song, more parents should listen to the Beautiful words, maybe if more parents listened to these words the world might be a better place, this is an Amazing Song..
Nelly Cortegana
Beautiful song!!
Vincent Berte
These Gentlemen are just awesome, and this is just one of my favorites of their many great tunes and even was lucky enough to meet and shoot hoops with them, they are my buddies Uncle's, every one of them, truly great guys and musicians....
Judy Cunagin
This is the best song, if more parents would listen to the words ,and really take charge of their children maybe there would be more respect for others and less violence in this world. A little discipline would certainly help these young people remember were they came from !
Vincent Berte
Amen Judy, Amen to that!!!