The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Very Precious Love
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Most ev'ryone agrees
For what else could the ingenue
and the juvenile reprise
And so I wrote a random note,
a harmony or two
And when it came to add the words
A very precious love
Is what you are to me
A stairway to a star
A night in Shangril?of ecstasy
Lanterns of gold
Lanterns of blue
Twinkle in the shadows
While I dance with you
An echo in the wind
Across the summer lake
Is sayin' you should know
that lanterns lose their glow
and hearts can break
So hold me close my darling
then kiss me tenderly
And give your precious love
Your very precious love to me
The lyrics to The Ames Brothers' song "Very Precious Love" are rooted in the tradition of musical theater, where every show must include a song that is memorable and resonant with the audience. The singer acknowledges this fact in the opening lines, noting that most people agree that every show needs a song. Then, the lyrics describe the process of creating such a song, noting that a random note or harmony could do, and that the key is attaching meaningful and evocative lyrics to it. In this case, the lyrics are an attempt to describe the overwhelming power of "a very precious love."
The song then goes on to describe this love as being akin to a "stairway to a star" and a "night in Shangri-La of ecstasy." The use of such vivid metaphors is meant to convey the dreamlike and almost magical quality of this love, which seems to transport the singer to a different world. The verse ends with a description of the lanterns that twinkle in the shadows as the singer dances with their beloved.
However, the lyrics also contain a note of caution, underscoring the idea that this love is not without risk. The echo in the wind across the summer lake reminds the singer that lanterns lose their glow and hearts can break. Nonetheless, the singer's partner is implored to hold them close and give their very precious love to them, which is seen as the ultimate beauty and joy.
Overall, "Very Precious Love" is a tender and romantic song that uses vivid imagery and sentimental lyrics to describe the power of love. The lyrics capture the heady rush of falling in love while also acknowledging the inherent risks and uncertainties that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ev'ry show must have a song
Just like every story has a climax, every show has to have a song.
Most ev'ryone agrees
It's a widely accepted notion that a show without a song would not be a complete show.
For what else could the ingenue and the juvenile reprise
What other activity could bring the singer and his/her lover back to the stage to repeat their performance?
And so I wrote a random note, a harmony or two
I jotted down a few notes that seemed random and threw in a couple of harmonies.
And when it came to add the words I tried describing you
When I was trying to add lyrics to the tune, I had no inspiration, so I tried describing your beauty instead.
A very precious love is what you are to me
In my eyes, your love is priceless.
A stairway to a star
Being with you feels like I'm climbing to the top of the world and beyond.
A night in Shangril?of ecstasy
A night with you is like being transported to paradise, where we can experience pure bliss.
Lanterns of gold
The golden lights and the ambiance we create together when we're close to each other is indescribable.
Lanterns of blue
The blue lights that surround us when we dance bring out the beauty in our eyes.
Twinkle in the shadows
In the dancing shadows, we shine like stars, making everything around us seem magical.
While I dance with you
Dancing with you is my favorite thing to do, especially when I know you feel the same way.
An echo in the wind
The sound of the wind echoes the message that we're supposed to be together, and we're meant to treasure every moment we have.
Across the summer lake
The message resonates across the vast expanse of the summer lake.
Is sayin' you should know that lanterns lose their glow and hearts can break
Just like how even the brightest lantern's glow fades with time, we both know that hearts can break, so we must cherish each other while we can.
So hold me close my darling then kiss me tenderly
Embrace me tightly, my love, and kiss me softly and tenderly.
And give your precious love
I long for nothing else but your love, which is the most valuable thing in the world to me.
Your very precious love to me
Please grant me your love, which is as precious and rare as a diamond.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronald Wolf
I was 21 when this record was released, and now at 83, I still remember all the words.
My favorites were:
4 lads
4 Aces
Ames brothers
Diamonds
Then there were:
Kingston Trio
Peter,Paul and Mary
The Browns
Hi Los
4Freshman
McGuire Sisters
and so many others.
I really miss those days, and kind of music.
Stay safe
Luzmatias1949
This song isn't boring but so meaningful and full of love and affection
Marilynn Sacker
Yes, you can't beat this kind of wonderful music. I'm an Engelbert Humperdinck Fan, and all his music is like this.
Jerry
Hello Marilynn, how is everything going with you?
Davesheskin Sheskin
One of the most beautiful love songs ever written...
Tom Smith
Ed Ames is the only one of the brothers who is still alive sadly. "No Not Much" was a great hit by the Four Lads. Thanks for your comment!
Judith Chartrand
There as some people that find this type of music boring. It was before my time, but I like it. It has style which today's pop music does not have. Clean and sweet.
Jerry
Hello Judith, how is everything going with you?
Opaula Morgan
Judith Chartrand, it's the music that we are exposed to when we are growing up, and the memories that these songs bring back. Lyricist, Paul Francis Websterwrote the words to many beautiful songs, including "A Very Special Love," Love Is A Many Splendored Thing," "Too Beautiful To Last" from the 1971 movie, "Nicholas and Alexandra," recorded by Englebert Humperdinck, "The Shadow of your Smile," from the movie "The Sandpiper," "Love theme" from "Mutiny on the Bounty," and many more. Sammy Fain composed the music for "A Very Special Love," as well as many other popular songs. Many of these songs were very popular in the U S. As well as other countries. Yes, it's a matter of preference, but one could be considered lacking in beauty and taste to not be able to appreciate such beautiful songs, written with beautiful lyrics.
Jerry
@Opaula Morgan Hope everything's going well with you Opaula Morgan?
Opaula Morgan
Thank you Jerry, everything fine, Looking forward to watching the Notre Dame/USC game. Notre Dame fan here! ☘️ Hope all is well with you.