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.
Walk Right Up To The Sun
The Delfonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk right up to the sun
Hand in hand
Walk right up to the sun
We won't fear anyone
I'll pull the moon
Out of the sky for you
A love that's true
I'll change the world
From old to new
Love was made just for two
And then we'll
Walk right up to the sun
Hand in hand
Walk right up to the sun
We won't fear anyone
I'll take a rainbow
From the sky for you
If one's not good enough
I'll bring you two
I'll change the skies
From gray to blue
Love was made just for two
And then we'll
Walk right up to the sun
Hand in hand
Walk right up to the sun
We won't fear anyone
Listen, baby
Change the world
From old to new
Love was made just for two
And then we'll
Walk right up to the sun
Hand in hand
Walk right up to the sun
We won't fear
Walk right up to the sun
Hand in hand
Walk right up to the sun
We won't fear
Walk right up to the sun
The lyrics to The Delfonics's song "Walk Right Up To The Sun" depict the singer and his lover's unshakeable and boundless love. The couple is willing to do anything for each other, including pulling the moon out of the sky and changing the world from old to new. These acts serve as symbolic gestures of the depth and intensity of their love. The song builds to an optimistic and hopeful climax as the couple declares their bravery and willingness to face any obstacle as long as they are together, and they ultimately walk hand in hand toward the sun, representing the ultimate source of light and warmth.
At its core, this song is about the power of love to transform and uplift. The singer's promise to change the world for his lover demonstrates the transformative power of love, while the couple's courage and determination to face any challenge or fear together represents the unifying and healing potential of love. The song encapsulates the idea that love is not just a feeling, but a force that can change the world and overcome even the most formidable obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
And then we'll
We'll proceed to
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
Hand in hand
With interlocked hands
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
We won't fear anyone
We won't be afraid of anyone
I'll pull the moon
I will take the moon
Out of the sky for you
From the sky, for you
If you promise me
On the condition that you pledge
A love that's true
To love me sincerely
I'll change the world
I will transform the world
From old to new
From its old state to new
Love was made just for two
Romantic love was designed for two people
And then we'll
We'll proceed to
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
Hand in hand
With interlocked hands
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
We won't fear anyone
We won't be afraid of anyone
I'll take a rainbow
I will grab a rainbow
From the sky for you
From the sky, for you
If one's not good enough
If one isn't sufficient
I'll bring you two
I'll get you two instead
I'll change the skies
The heavens I'll alter
From gray to blue
From grey to blue
Love was made just for two
Romantic love was designed for two people
And then we'll
We'll proceed to
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
Hand in hand
With interlocked hands
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
We won't fear anyone
We won't be afraid of anyone
Listen, baby
Listen to me, dear
Change the world
Transform the world
From old to new
From its old state to new
Love was made just for two
Romantic love was designed for two people
And then we'll
We'll proceed to
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
Hand in hand
With interlocked hands
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
We won't fear
We won't be afraid
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
Hand in hand
With interlocked hands
Walk right up to the sun
Approach the sun closely
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kenneth Craddock
Major Harris and Wilbert Hart co-lead this. Anyone of the Delfonics could sing lead not just William (The Voice of the Delfonics). Great music from a great group during a great time for soul/r&B. Bravo!!!!
Neo Soul
The song was recorded on their fourth album and released in 1972. Randy Cain left the group in 1971. Major Harris took his place on this album 'Tell Me This is a Dream', which produced this song. The writers are listed as, songwriter Alan Felder and guitarist Norman Harris, not William Hart or Major Harris.
Peace to All !!!
Barron Ingram
i never heard randy cain lead on any of there songs
Karen Mathews
@Melvin Pruitt That is Major Harris.
Frances Rush
Melvin Pruitt That is Major Harris on this song. The Album. "Tell Me This Is A Dream" was an introduction of Major Harris who replaced Randy Cain. Much Love!
Melvin Pruitt
Major isn't on this recording that's Randy caine.
Trina Dee
God knows i love this music. It really takes me to a magical place and time.
Johnny Mc
Yes Miss Dee it does
Rigo Trejo
This music is heartfelt and reality for me !
Kenneth Craddock
Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics, "...and then we'll walk right up to the sun, hand in hand, walk right up to the sun, we won't FEAR anyone" Powerful words!!!