The Dells grew up in Harvey, Illinois and began singing together while attending Thornton Township High School. Forming in 1952 under the name the El-Rays, the group initially consisted of Marvin Junior, Mickey McGill, Lucius McGill, Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, and Johnny Funches. Lucius soon left the group and the remaining quintet signed with Checker Records, releasing their first single, "Darling I Know," which flopped.
In 1955, the group renamed themselves the Dells and signed with Vee-Jay Records. In 1956, they recorded their first hit, "Oh, What a Nite" (a song co-written by Johnny Funches, who also sang lead on the recording alongside Marvin Junior), which hit the Top 5 of the R&B singles chart. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The song is ranked #260 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In November 1958, the Dells suffered a car accident that left McGill in a hospital in Ohio for six months. The group temporarily disbanded and Barksdale sang as a member of Harvey Fuqua's spinoff Moonglows act, Harvey and the Moonglows, which included a young Marvin Gaye. In 1961, the Dells reunited and auditioned for Dinah Washington. After Washington agreed to hire them, Johnny Funches left the group to take care of his family. Funches was replaced by Flamingos founding member Johnny Carter and sang background for Washington for two years. In 1966, they were hired to open for Ray Charles, only to be fired after a performance resulted in several standing ovations. The group would also sing background for Barbara Lewis, mainly on Lewis' 1963 hit, "Hello Stranger", while also working with Quincy Jones, who helped to fine-tune their vocals for standards and jazz material.
In 1966, the Dells returned to Chess under the label's Cadet subsidiary working with Bobby Miller and future Earth, Wind & Fire arranger Charles Stepney. In 1967, the Dells issued the album There Is which included their first R&B chart-topper in years with the title track, which showcased the sharp baritone of Marvin Junior and the harmonies with the four other Dells. The song was also their first top 20 pop hit.
Subsequent R&B hits included "Wear It on Our Face," "Always Together" (Top 20 Pop, "I Can Sing a Rainbow - Love is Blue (medley)" (UK #15), and their first #1 R&B hit and first Top Ten pop hit, 1968's "Stay in My Corner," which reached #10 on the pop chart and showcased both Carter and Marvin in lead vocals. In the following year, 1969, The Dells' soulful remake of their debut hit, "Oh What a Night" gave the group their second chart-topping R&B single and also reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. For a second time, the song sold over a million copies. Subsequent hits included "Open Up My Heart," "Oh What A Day," and "On the Dock of the Bay." In 1971, the Dells' "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" became another Top Ten hit on the R&B charts, also reaching the pop Top 30. By this time Charles Stepney had taken over production duties from Bobby Miller. 1973's "Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation" was their third certified gold record. The song was written by L.V. Johnson and produced by Don Davis.
Leaving Cadet around the end of 1974 with the parent company in financial difficulties, the group would continue recording in order under the Mercury, ABC, and Virgin labels finding some hits, including 1980's "I Touched a Dream", which returned the group to the top 40 on the R&B charts. The Dells were confined mostly to the oldies market afterwards until they were asked to be creative consultants to Robert Townsend's acclaimed 1991 film, The Five Heartbeats, which was loosely based on the lives of The Dells and other groups of its era. The group recorded a composition titled "A Heart Is a House for Love". The song reached number 13 on the Billboard R&B chart, making them only one of two groups to have hit singles in five decades. The following year, signing with PIR, they released the album, I Salute You. The Dells continued performing and recording sporadically in the early years of the new millennium. In 2004, the group were inducted to both the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group continued performing until 2012.
Original Dells vocalist Johnny Funches died of pneumonia on January 23, 1998, at the age of 62.
Johnny Carter died of cancer on August 21, 2009, at the age of 75. Carter is one of the few artists to be a double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted with The Flamingos in 2001, and the Dells in 2004.
On May 29, 2013, founding member Marvin Junior died in his sleep at his home in Harvey, Illinois, succumbing to complications of kidney failure and a weak heart at the age of 77.
Chuck Barksdale died on 15 May 2019, at the age of 83.
Members
Marvin Junior (born Marvin Curtis Junior, January 31, 1936, Harrell, Arkansas – May 29, 2013) - lead baritone, lead vocals (1952-1958, 1960–2012)
Verne Allison (b. June 22, 1936, Chicago) - second tenor, background vocals (1952-1958, 1960-2012)
Mickey McGill (b. February 17, 1937, Chicago) - baritone, background vocals (1952–1958, 1960-2012)
Chuck Barksdale (January 11, 1935 - May 15, 2019) - bass, background vocals (1952–1958, 1960-2012)
Johnny Funches (July 18, 1935, Chicago – January 23, 1998) - first tenor, lead vocals (1952–58, 1960-1961)
Lucius McGill (b. 1935, Chicago) - second tenor, background vocals (1952–54)
Johnny Carter (June 2, 1934, Chicago – August 21, 2009) - first tenor/falsetto, lead vocals (1961–2009)
Alfie
The Dells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie
The lyrics to The Dells's song "Alfie" ask a series of philosophical questions about the meaning and purpose of life. It directly addresses the titular character, who is asked what life is all about and if it is meant to be more about giving or taking. The song contemplates the nature of kindness and cruelty, whether the old saying that only fools are kind is true, and if it is wise to be cruel in order to get ahead in life. The lyrics also explore the idea that life belongs only to the strong and that the concept of a "golden rule" may be outdated or insufficient in the face of harsh realities.
However, the song ultimately comes to the conclusion that there is something more to life than these cold calculations. The singer professes a belief in something greater than oneself, something that even non-believers can believe in - love. Without true love, the song suggests, we are merely existing and missing out on the fullness of life. The final lines urge Alfie to let his heart lead the way in order to find love and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
What's it all about, Alfie?
Alfie, what is the meaning or purpose of life? What's the point of it all?
Is it just for the moment we live?
Is life just about passing time and enjoying temporary experiences before we eventually die?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
If one were to truly figure out the meaning of life, what would they find?
Are we meant to take more than we give or are we meant to be kind?
What is the right way to live - to selfishly take or to be kind and generous to others?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
If being kind results in being taken advantage of, then is it foolish to be kind?
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
Perhaps it is better or wiser to be ruthless or cruel, since being kind can make one vulnerable.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
If survival of the fittest is the nature of life, then what use is empathy and compassion?
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
What value is there in following moral guidelines like the golden rule (treat others the way you want to be treated)?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I am confident that there is a spiritual afterlife or reward for living a good life.
I know there's something much more
There is a deeper purpose or meaning to life beyond just temporary pleasures.
Something even non-believers can believe in
There exists a belief or concept that is universally acceptable and understood, not limited to those who follow a religion.
I believe in love, Alfie
Love is a powerful and fundamental force that gives meaning to life.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
If we do not experience authentic love, then we merely survive life but do not truly live it.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
If one has not yet found mutual and genuine love, then they are incomplete and unfulfilled.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
Instead of relying solely on reason or practicality, one should follow their emotions and feelings in life's important decisions.
And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie
If one lives life authentically and with an open heart, they will eventually find love and fulfillment.
Writer(s): Bacharach Burt F, David Hal
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.