Billy Gordon, Billy Hoggs, Joe Billingslea and Billy Rollins founded a singing group called The Blenders in their native Detroit, Michigan in 1959. The group soon added Leroy Fair (in place of Billy Rollins), bass singer Hubert Johnson, and guitarist Huey Davis, and auditioned for Berry Gordy's Motown Records. Gordy turned the act down, prompting Johnson to call his cousin, R&B star and Gordy associate Jackie Wilson. Wilson in turn got The Contours a second audition with Gordy, at which they sang the same songs they had at the first audition, the same way, and were signed to the company.
The group's first singles, "Whole Lotta Woman" and "The Stretch", were unsuccessful, and the group was in danger of being let go. Also at this time, Leroy Fair was replaced with Sylvester Potts. In early 1962, Gordy had the Contours record "Do You Love Me", a composition originally meant for The Temptations. The resulting record, with its shouted lead vocals from Billy Gordon, became a number-two hit 1962.
In 1964, Billy Hoggs, Joe Billingslea, Hubert Johnson, and Sylvester Potts all quit the group. Berry Gordy hired Council Gay, Jerry Green and Alvin English to back Billy Gordon, making the Contours a quartet. Within a year, Sylvester Potts returned to the group (replacing Alvin English), but Billy Gordon departed at about the same time. Gordon was replaced by Joe Stubbs, brother of Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs. Stubbs soon quit the act and was replaced by Dennis Edwards.
During the mid-1960s, The Contours recorded several records which received R&B radio play (notably "First I Look At The Purse" and "Just a Little Misunderstanding"), but were considered secondary to Motown's major male vocal groups: The Temptations, the Four Tops, and The Miracles. The group's contract with Motown expired in 1967, and the Contours disbanded. Lead singer Dennis Edwards was recruited to replace the departed David Ruffin as lead singer of The Temptations. Edwards later became a solo hitsmaker as well.
After the group's demise, Joe Billingslea has reformed the Contours several times. Billingslea first resurrected the group in 1971, with himself, Council Gay, Arthur Hinson, Martin Upshire and C. Autry Hatcher as its members. By 1987, the lineup included Billingslea, Hinson, Darell Nunlee, Charles Davis, and Motown-era Contour Sylvester Potts. The same year, "Do You Love Me" was prominently featured in the film Dirty Dancing, which led to a revival of both the recording and the Contours touring career.
The Contours were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. The group is today a quartet led by Joe Billingslea, with fellow members Al Chisholm, Charles Davis, and Gary Grier. Former member Hubert Johnson committed suicide on July 11, 1981, and Huey Davis died February 23, 2000. Sylvester Potts died in January 2017.
This Old Heart Of Mine
The Contours Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each time you break away, I fear you've gone to stay.
Lonely nights that come, memories that flow, bringing you back again,
Hurting me more and more.
Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside;
'Cause each day that passes by you got me
Never knowing if I'm coming or going, but I, I love you.
I love you, yes, I do.
These old arms of mine miss having you around;
Makes these tears inside start a-falling down.
Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside;
'Cause each day that passes by you got me
Never knowing if I'm coming or going, but I, I love you.
This old heart darling, is weak for you.
I love you, yes, I do. Yes, I do.
I try hard to hide my hurt inside.
This old heart of mine always keeps me cryin'
I try hard to hide my hurt inside
This old heart of mine always keeps me cryin' the way you treat me,
Leaves me incomplete, you're here for the day, gone for the week, now
But if you leave me a hundred times
A hundred times I'll take you back.
I'm yours whenever you want me
I'm not too proud to shout it.
Tell the world about it 'cause I love you.
Yes I do. Yes, I do.
I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
The lyrics to The Contours' song, This Old Heart of Mine are a poignant expression of the pain, love, and vulnerability of a broken heart. The song talks about how the singer's heart has been broken a thousand times by a person they love, who keeps leaving and coming back again, leaving them hurt and distraught. Despite the hurt, the singer can't help but love the person who keeps breaking their heart. They know that they should maybe stop displaying their love, but they can't help themselves. They try to hide their hurt, but it always shows in the tears that fall from their eyes. The singer declares that no matter how many times they are hurt or left heartbroken, they will always love this person and take them back whenever they come back.
The song speaks to many people who have experienced heartbreak and understand what it feels like to be in damaging but addictive relationships. It's a song about vulnerability, heartbreak, and the power that love holds over us. The melody is catchy and upbeat, belying the somber lyrics, but it serves to emphasize the bittersweet nature of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
This old heart of mine been broke a thousand times.
My heart has been shattered so many times in the past.
Each time you break away, I fear you've gone to stay.
Whenever you leave, I am terrified that you won't come back.
Lonely nights that come, memories that flow, bringing you back again, Hurting me more and more.
I am haunted by memories of you, and they hurt me more each time.
Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside; 'Cause each day that passes by you got me Never knowing if I'm coming or going, but I, I love you.
Perhaps it is a mistake to express my love to you because it leaves me feeling unsure of where we stand, but I cannot help loving you.
This old heart darling, is weak for you. I love you, yes, I do.
I am deeply in love with you, and my heart is devoted to you.
These old arms of mine miss having you around; Makes these tears inside start a-falling down.
I am sad and lonely without you, and it makes me cry.
I try hard to hide my hurt inside. This old heart of mine always keeps me cryin'
I attempt to conceal my pain, but my heart continues to ache.
the way you treat me, Leaves me incomplete, you're here for the day, gone for the week, now
Your treatment of me is inadequate and leaves me feeling incomplete. You come and go as you please.
But if you leave me a hundred times A hundred times I'll take you back.
No matter how many times you leave me, I will always take you back.
I'm yours whenever you want me I'm not too proud to shout it. Tell the world about it 'cause I love you. Yes I do. I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you. I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you. I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
I am yours completely, and I am not afraid to show it to everyone. My love for you is unwavering and strong.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Sylvia Moy, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ian harden
They do a great job with this legendary song. Such a cool tune. I love it
arizona doowopper
Amazing version - the Isleys would be proud hearing it.
RoscoeTravis
Best ever cover of one of my all time favourites, great version!!!
Phillip Steffey
Excellent rendition of the Isley's.
Inolvidables
Fantástico!!!!
salzburg9
brill track, five***** stars! thanks for posting
Andrew McKenzie
Another great version of a classic.
soul rnb
Amen ! Awesome Classic by these fine gentlemen
Muzicjoy
Beautiful song
tahira1
One of my favourite songs breaths class!