Brothers William and Wilbert Hart formed the group with Richard Daniels, and Randy (Rudy) Cain in high school in the early 1960s. Richard Daniels one of the founding members would be drafted just before the groups first major success.
Soon, they became known throughout the Philadelphia area, signing with Cameo Records. At Cameo, Stan Watson introduced them to the man who made them famous, producer Thom Bell, then working with Chubby Checker. Bell dreamed of creating a Philadelphia version of Motown and struck gold with the Delfonics, whose first album, released on Watson's own Philly Groove record label, featured the hit "La-La (Means I Love You)", in 1968. Four more Bell-produced albums appeared in the next few years: The Sexy Sound of Soul, The Delfonics Super Hits, The Delfonics and Tell Me This Is a Dream. Among the Delfonics' popular hits were "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)", "For the Love I Give to You", "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)" and "Hey Love". Prior to the release of "La-La (Means I Love You)", they had a hit with "He Don't Really Love You" on the small Moonshot label.
Philadelphia soul was smoother than traditional soul, strongly influenced by Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" production, but solidly based in the doo-wop sounds of the 1950s. Randy Cain left the group in 1971, and in 1973 had a hand in formulating Blue Magic when he brought singer-songwriter Ted Mills in to do some writing for W.M.O.T. (We Men of Talent), and the remaining future members of Blue Magic came in for an audition. The rest, as they say, is history. Cain was replaced by Major Harris; by then, however, Thom Bell had moved on to produce The Stylistics and later, The Spinners. The Delfonics swiftly produced another album, Alive and Kicking, produced by Stan Watson. However, in the absence of Thom Bell, the Delfonics' career declined sharply, and with the exception of the aforementioned Hey Love and the minor hits "When You Get Right Down to It", "I Don't Want to Make You Wait" and "I Told You So", success eluded them after 1975. ("For the Love I Give to You", although popular, was never released as a single.) Most of their songs at this point were written by lead singer William Hart.
Major Harris left and had major success with the song "Love Don't Let Me Wait". Wilbert Hart also left around this time, leaving William Hart as the only original member. New members were brought in, and the group continued for some time. The group then broke up and reformed with William Hart, Randy Cain, and Major Harris. (Wilbert Hart formed his own Delfonics group; the members were Wilbert, Eban Brown (falsetto lead), and Dr. S. Love.) Dr. Salaam Love has performed with both William and Wilbert Hart for the last twenty five plus years. Although often in the background he is more than qualified to take lead when asked. His claim to Fame is his vocal versatility. Randy Cain left for a second time, and was replaced by Frank Washington of The Futures.
Their music enjoyed a mild renaissance in the mid-1990s when New Kids On The Block had a hit with "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)". "La La Means I Love You" and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)" played a pivotal role in the film Jackie Brown. In the film, one of the characters is so struck by the music, he goes out and buys The Delfonics Greatest Hits cassette the following day. Their songs appeared in numerous movies and "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)" served as the basis of two hit hip hop singles: it was the chorus for The Fugees' 1996 hit "Ready or Not", and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and Timbaland sampled the string and horn intro for Elliott's hit 1997 "Sock It to Me". The Notorious B.I.G.'s last hit, "Playa Hata" released that same year, was a take-off on "Hey Love." The Delfonics also provided backing vocals on the track "After the Smoke has Cleared" on the 1996 hip hop album Iron Man by Ghostface Killah. In 2004 Ghostface also sampled "La-La Means I Love You" for his song "Holla" from his album The Pretty Toney Album. "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" was also sampled on Cam'ron's hit single "Hey Ma".
The current line-up of the Delfonics is William Hart, Garfield Fleming (baritone lead), and Johnny ("JJ") Johnson. Wilbert also has a group, sometimes called "The Delphonics", "The New Delfonics" or simply billed as "Wilbert Hart". Eban Brown went on to become the lead singer of The Stylistics, and Frank Washington is now the lead singer of The Spinners. The current line-up of the group is featured in concert on the DVD's "The Big Show" and "'70's Soul Jam," whereas Wilbert Hart's group is featured on the DVD "Old School Soul Party Live!," which was part of the PBS "My Music" series. Major Harris is also featured on the recently re-released DVD "Blue Magic/Margie Joseph/Major Harris Live!", which was recorded during their prime in 1975.
La la
The Delfonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a line that wasn't true
And you passed them by
(Passed them by)
Though you're in the center ring
And their lines don't mean a thing
Why don't you let me try?
(Let me try)
Now, I don't wear a diamond ring
I don't even have a song to sing
All I know is
La la la la la la la la la means
I love you
Oh, baby, please now
La la la la la la la la la means
I love you
If I ever saw a girl
That I needed in this world
You are the one for me
(One for me)
Let me hold you in my arms
Girl, and thrill you with my charms
I'm sure you will see
(You will see)
The things I am sayin' are true
And the way I explain them to you
Listen to me
La la la la la la la la la means
I love you
Ooh, baby
La la la la la la la la la means
I love you
The things I am sayin' are true
And the way I explain them to you,
Yes to you
Listen to me
La la la la la la la la la means
I love you
Oh, you'll have to understand now
La la la la la la la la la means
I love you
Come on and take my hand
The Delfonics' classic song, "La-La Means I Love You," is a poetic ode to wooing the girl of your dreams with genuine affection. Lead singer William Hart croons to a woman who has been approached with false lines from other men. He makes his intentions clear, stating that he doesn't need material possessions or a smooth song to win her over. Instead, Hart offers honesty and sincerity, promising to hold her in his arms and thrill her with his charm. He implores her to listen to his words and to take his hand.
The phrase "la la" is used throughout the song to express love and affection, acting as a substitute for words that cannot encapsulate the depth of emotion that the singer feels. This repetition helps to create a dreamy, romantic atmosphere that perfectly complements the message of the lyrics. The melody is simple but effective, with a catchy hook that will stay in your head long after the song has ended.
Overall, "La-La Means I Love You" is a timeless love song that captures the feeling of falling head over heels for someone. It encourages honesty and vulnerability in relationships, urging listeners to be brave and express their true feelings. The Delfonics' smooth vocals and masterful harmonies make this a classic that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Many guys have come to you
You've likely been approached by many men who tried to convince you of their love, but they were spouting lies.
With a line that wasn't true
These men had insincere intentions and their words of affection were hollow and meaningless.
And you passed them by
You didn't fall for their tricks and saw right through their false claims.
Though you're in the center ring
As a woman of great beauty and desirability, you're surrounded by many who aspire to your attention and affection.
And their lines don't mean a thing
But their efforts are in vain since their attempts at wooing you are empty and ineffective.
Why don't you let me try?
But I am different and earnestly want a chance to show you my true feelings and devotion.
Now, I don't wear a diamond ring
I may not have much material wealth to offer you.
I don't even have a song to sing
I may not possess the talent or skill to impress you with music or poetry.
All I know is La la la la la la la la la means I love you
But I know that the simple sound of 'la la' is enough to convey my deep affection for you.
Oh, baby, please now La la la la la la la la la means I love you
And I hope that you'll recognize my earnest intentions and return my feelings with equal sincerity.
If I ever saw a girl That I needed in this world
You stand out to me as the one woman I need in my life above all others.
You are the one for me
I have no doubts or hesitations in my mind about the depth and sincerity of my feelings for you.
Let me hold you in my arms
I long to be close to you, to feel your warmth and soften the distance between us.
Girl, and thrill you with my charms
I want to use my natural charisma and personality to delight and enchant you.
I'm sure you will see
I believe that over time, as you get to know me, you'll come to understand and reciprocate my feelings.
The things I am sayin' are true
My words are not empty flattery or deception - they come from the depth of my heart and soul.
And the way I explain them to you
I hope that the sincerity and earnestness in my words come through and touch your heart.
Listen to me La la la la la la la la la means I love you
Please give me a chance to express my feelings and show you that my love is true and pure.
Ooh, baby La la la la la la la la la means I love you
I want to shower you with affection and let you know that you're always on my mind and in my heart.
Oh, you'll have to understand now La la la la la la la la la means I love you
Please don't dismiss my feelings or take them lightly - they are genuine and deep-seated, and I hope you can feel that as well.
Come on and take my hand
Please give me a chance to show you the depth and sincerity of my love, and let's embark on a journey of mutual affection together.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas Randolph Bell, William Alexander N Hart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyrudicill4031
This is the song that was playing at a roller skating rink in 1968 when we met. Today would have been our 50th wedding anniversary but she passed in 18 and it's been a long and trying 3 years. So I'm playing it for her and I'm smiling though the tears. She was better than I deserved but I thank God every night for placing her in my life. I love you Janice Lynn Rudicill and you're forever in my heart ❤.
@karmelitamartinez180
Que bendición
@mybusinessnotyours8166
Beautiful
Rip to your lady love
I hope to find a love like that
@sinsesotv9339
Y o
@amuhammad27
She lives on forever in your heart brother
@txgiaa7864
aww
@martiniana5722
I was dreaming last night with my mom, and this song was playing on the background. My mom is in heaven 👼🏻 🌷🌷🌷
@Shawn-ho6de
Your mom loves you....she's looking down a d smiling...she loves you!
@laurenchristianna2092
@Shawn 186 that's exactly what I was going to say. That was a visitation dream and that's the song the mother chose to communicate to the poster, to show her feelings. Those dreams are so vivid and real! Its such a gift when that happens. ❤️❤️❤️
@vincentfranklin17
My deepest condolences.