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.
You Better Get in Line
The Contours Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An I loved you so much
But I can't dance so good
Now you want my ring
'Cause I'm the king
But can you dance like I thought you could
You better get in line
You gotta wait your turn (your turn)
You girl gotta yeah
What you can do (what you can do)
You gotta follow me too (follow me too)
When I say move (when I say move)
I want to hear the grove
Move move
Now do the wild juicy
(Wild juicy wild juicy)
The wild wild juicy
(Wild juicy wild juicy)
The wild wild juicy
(Wild juicy wild juicy)
You're looking good
Like I knew you would
Now do the locomotion
(Locomotion)
The locomotion
(Locomotion)
The locomotion
(lLocomotion)
You're the best
Cause you're passing the test
If you can twist
(lets do the twist)
Baby you can't miss
You know you're winning my heart (win my heart)
And we ain't gonna
No no no
Come on come on
Ready baby do the wobble
(wobble wobble)
The wobble wobble
(wobble wobble)
The wobble wobble
Mashpotato
(mashpotato)
Mash mashpotato
Mash mashpotato
Holly darlin
Holly
Holly holly
Mashpotato
The lyrics to The Contours' song "You Get Ugly" depict a story of a romantic relationship where one person feels inadequate due to their lack of dancing skills. The singer describes their partner as the queen of the dance floor, expressing their intense love for them. Despite this, the singer confesses their own inability to dance well. They mention that now their partner wants their ring because they are considered the king of the dance floor. However, the singer questions whether their partner can dance as well as they initially believed.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's position of power on the dance floor, telling their partner to get in line and wait their turn. They assert that the partner must follow their lead and move to the groove when instructed. Throughout the song, various dance styles are mentioned, like the wild juicy, the locomotion, the twist, and the wobble. These references create a lively and energetic atmosphere, encouraging the listener to join in on the fun.
The lyrics also convey a sense of playfulness and confidence. The singer praises their partner's appearance and expresses satisfaction that they are passing the test by following the dance moves. The repetitiveness of the chorus and the dance style references serve to create a catchy and memorable song that invites people to get up and dance.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the queen of the floor
You have the power and control on the dance floor
An I loved you so much
I had strong feelings for you
But I can't dance so good
I am not a skilled dancer
Now you want my ring
Now you want to commit to a serious relationship
'Cause I'm the king
Because I hold power and authority
But can you dance like I thought you could
But can you meet my expectations in terms of dancing skills
You better get in line
You need to fall in line and follow my lead
You know you're looking so fine (so fine)
You are looking extremely attractive
You gotta wait your turn (your turn)
You have to patiently wait for your opportunity
You girl gotta yeah
You, as a girl, have to show enthusiasm
What you can do (what you can do)
Show me what you are capable of
You gotta follow me too (follow me too)
You have to follow my lead as well
When I say move (when I say move)
You should move when I give you the signal
I want to hear the groove
I want to hear the rhythm and energy in your dancing
Move move
Keep moving, don't stop
Now do the wild juicy
Now dance with wild enthusiasm
(Wild juicy wild juicy)
(Show that energy and excitement)
The wild wild juicy
Keep that wild enthusiasm going
(Wild juicy wild juicy)
(Show that energy and excitement)
You're looking good
You are looking attractive
Like I knew you would
Exactly as I predicted
Now do the locomotion
Now dance with a fluid and rhythmic motion
(Locomotion locomotion)
(Keep that fluid and rhythmic motion)
The locomotion
Continue with the rhythmic dancing
(Locomotion locomotion)
(Keep that fluid and rhythmic motion)
You're the best
You are the most skilled
Cause you're passing the test
Because you are successfully meeting the expectations
If you can twist
If you can dance the twist
(Let's do the twist)
(Let's dance the twist)
Baby you can't miss
You can't fail or go wrong
You know you're winning my heart (win my heart)
You are making me fall in love with you
And we ain't gonna
And we will not
No no no
Absolutely not
Come on come on
Encouraging you to join in and dance
Ready baby do the wobble
Prepare yourself to dance the wobble
(Wobble wobble)
(Show the wobbling motion)
The wobble wobble
Keep wobbling
(Wobble wobble)
(Show the wobbling motion)
Mashpotato
Dance the mashed potato
(Mashpotato)
(Show the mashed potato dancing)
Mash mashpotato
Continue dancing the mashed potato
Mash mashpotato
Continue dancing the mashed potato
Holly darlin
Hey darling
Holly
Hey
Holly holly
Hey hey
Mashpotato
Dance the mashed potato
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY JR GORDY, BERRY GORDY JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cerdan Designs Art Entertainment Media
The Contours'' little do few people know'' was one of the
worlds GREATEST GROUPS of all TIME!!! they predate the TEMPTATIONS'' on the Hit RECORD public seen'' let me put it this way'' the Contours were Actually the First The temptation type group'' that PAVED the way for the Dynamic Temp'ts the temptations were really a carbon Copy of the Contours!!! and their early acts on Stage was extraordinary!!! and the music vocals were RIGHT ON!!! the temps hungry for a hit'' influence by their Style and REFINED IT and made it their OWN'' and the tempt's NEVER LOOK BACK!!! QUICKLY!!! Became the Worlds Greatest Vocal Group of all time!!!! I PERSONALLY REFER TO THEM'' AS THE SULTANS OF COOL!!!!!!
Andrew Hamilton
@Robert Velez I saw both groups in their prime. Yea, the Tempts sang better but no way in hell were they more exciting live than the original Contours. Nobody remained seated when the Contours came running on stage. In 1965 if the Tempts and Contours were appearing across the street from each other on the same day at the same time I would go see the Contours everytime!
The group that resurfaced cause of Dirty Dancing was a lounge act compared to the original group. And this may be the way you think as you do. No way you saw the originals live.
Robert Velez
Comparing the Contours to the Temptations is like comparing a Volkswagon to a Rolls Royce! The Contours came first and their dancing was wild but they were not great singers and were a real extension of the Coasters! On the other hand, the Temptations were new and exciting and their choreography was a million times better than the Contours plus every member of the Temptations can sing and dance (Yes, even Otis Williams)! Therefore, that should end the discussion between the Contours and the Temptations!
David Griffiths
So true the Contours never really got the appreciation so richly deserved,
90s kid in effect
Cerdan Designs Art Entertainment Media so true, the lead singer reminds me of Paul Williams and the type of music they would've done
Graham Enticott
With the superb "Shake Sherry" on the flipside!
caribman10
For all the noobs out there, this was a song to do the Wiggle Wobble dance to, including the call-out steps from the Watusi, Locomotion, Twist, Wobble (obviously), Mashed Potatoes and Hully-Gully. Got all that? And we did those dances, believe me...