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.
Lying To Myself
The Delfonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been saying that I love somebody else
And all the time, girl, I'm in love with you
Say, what am I gonna do? Yeah
If I told you I'm sorry because I broke your heart
Girl, I didn't understand, no
I try to make her take the place over you
I've been lying to myself
Been saying that I love somebody else
All the time, girl, I'm in love with you
Say, what am I gonna do? Yeah
I know that love was made for two
And while we're apart
I'm supposed to wait for you, woh
I've been lying to myself
Saying that I love somebody else
All the time, girl, I'm in love with you
Say, what am I gonna do? Yeah
It's better to have loved and lost
Than not to have ever love anyone at all
I've been lying to myself
Been saying that I love somebody else
And all the time, girl, I'm in love with you
What am I gonna do?
The lyrics of The Delfonics' song "Lying To Myself" expresses the turmoil of a man who has been deceiving himself into believing that he is in love with someone else, but deep down he knows that he is actually in love with the woman he is singing to. He is apologizing for breaking her heart in the past and trying to make it up to her by finding another woman who can fill the void, but he came to the realization that no one else can take her place. He understands that true love is meant for two people and he is ready to wait for her because he knows that she is the only one he truly loves.
The singer is going through a range of emotions during this song, as he comes to terms with his true feelings. He feels remorse for hurting her in the past, but he also accepts that it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. He is trying to figure out what to do now that he has accepted his true feelings and he doesn't want to continue deceiving himself or her any longer.
In conclusion, The Delfonics' "Lying To Myself" is a heartfelt song about a man who has been lying to himself about his true feelings for a woman. The lyrics reveal his inner turmoil and ultimately his acceptance of his love for her. It is a relatable song that speaks to the struggle of coming to terms with one's true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been lying to myself
Admitting to deceiving himself for a period of time now.
Been saying that I love somebody else
Pretending to be in love with someone else.
And all the time, girl, I'm in love with you
Confessing to loving the girl he's talking to the entire time.
Say, what am I gonna do? Yeah
Asking for advice on what actions to take.
If I told you I'm sorry because I broke your heart
Expressing a remorseful attitude for hurting her.
Girl, I didn't understand, no
Admitting to not understanding the girl's feelings.
I try to make her take the place over you
Attempting to replace her with someone else.
But you listen, she could never do, oh no, why
Concluding that nobody can replace the feeling he has for her.
I know that love was made for two
Acknowledging that love requires two individuals to function properly.
And while we're apart
Recognizing the ongoing separation between him and the girl he loves.
I'm supposed to wait for you, woh
Expecting to patiently wait for her to come back into his life.
It's better to have loved and lost
Realizing that even though he might lose her, it's better than never having loved at all.
Than not to have ever love anyone at all
Preferring to have the experience of love despite the risk of pain or loss.
What am I gonna do?
Repeating his previous question, once again seeking guidance.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM HART, WILLIAM A. HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@retroville5559
smokin on purple ! rest in peace kobe !
@yungode
Fr!
@armagancaglayan4812
no sample version on the album :(
@yungode
@Armağan Çağlayan deluxe he says
@armagancaglayan4812
@Yung Ode yessir also feel sad for him he do not deserve half of these happened to him
@yungode
@Armağan Çağlayan facts bro it’s fucked up , fans still gonna listen tho for sure
@donaldcoffey9622
My introduction to the Delphonics was in 1970 or 1971. Went with my Father & two younger bros. to Pop's girlfriends place in San Diego. There was nothing for a 14 yr. old to do while watching his lil bros. until I found a couple of Delphonics albums. I've loved them ever since. It doesn't get any better.
@adcpnw
All of y’all coming from TLOP5 like this up 🥶
@Sosshunna
ofc ts finna slap
@lilwasted7685
SMOKIN ON PURPLE, REST IN PEACE KOBE