The Dells were an American doo-wop group. Formed in high school in 1952 in … Read Full Bio ↴The Dells were an American doo-wop group. Formed in high school in 1952 in Harvey, Illinois by founding members Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale, and Mickey and Lucius McGill, under the name The El Rays. They released their first recording in 1954 and two years later had their first R&B hit with "Oh What a Nite". After disbanding due to a near-fatal car crash in 1958, the band reformed in 1960 with Funches being replaced by Johnny Carter. This lineup remained together until Carter's death in 2009. In 2004 The Dells were inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The group performed until illness forced longtime lead singer Marvin Junior and bass vocalist Chuck Barksdale into retirement, ending the group's 60-year run.
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)
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)
I Got a Woman
The Dells Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'I Got a Woman' by these artists:
10. Ray Charles Well, I got a woman, way over town That's good to…
Al Kooper Well I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Alexis Korner I got a woman Way over town She's good to me Oh…
Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated I got a woman Way over town She's good to me Oh…
Bill Haley That's How I Got To Memphis (Tom T. Hall) If you…
Bobby Darin I got a woman (sweetie) way over town, She's (he's) good…
Booker T the MG's Well, I got a woman, way over town That's good to…
Booker T. & the M. G. 's DJ Oslo on da track Bags, I got them bags, bitch…
Booker T. & The M.G.'s Well, I got a woman, way over town That's good to…
Booker T. The MG's Well, I got a woman, way over town That's good to…
Buddy Miller and His Rockin' Ramblers If you love somebody enough You follow them wherever they go…
Cash Johnny & Carter June I got a woman way cross town she's good to…
Chet Atkins Hay Amor o no Hay Amor. ye ye seguro hee ahh…
Cliff Richard & The Shadows من زنم، زنی ز قوم پاک آریا میزنم، تبر به ریشهی…
Conway Twitty I got a good thing going and I guess it's…
CROSS B. BAND Once she dressed in silks and lace, Owned a Rolls…
David Clayton-Thomas I wish you could see me now Everything you said I…
Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom Take it easy boi, take it easy All ma whips exotics All…
Eero ja Jussi & The Boys Check it out You’re tuning in to KWPL Coming at you with…
Elvis & Friends Well, I've got a woman Way cross town She's good to me…
Ernie K-Doe Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Freddie Scott Oh, baby, you, you got what I need You got everything…
George Benson Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Gibson Brothers I'm not much to look at Nothing to see Just glad I'm…
Glen Glen I've got the blues (I've got the blues) I've got the…
Glen Glenn A B C D E …
Herbie Mann Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Honeydrippers I Got a Woman I got a woman - way over…
Howlin' Wolf Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on…
Jay-Jays Groovyroom, everywhere All I know is money right now All I …
Jerry Lee Lewis Well I got a woman way over town that's good to…
Jim Reeves Out with someone new, Almost every day People look at me I c…
Jimmy Smith Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Jimmy Smith and the Trio Got a woman way over town that's good to me…
Jimmy Smith feat. Kenny Burrell Though folks with good intentions Tell me to save my tears W…
John Hammond Well I got a woman Way across town She's good to me Ohoh…
John Mayer Got a woman way over town that's good to me…
Johnny Cash I got a woman way cross town she's good to…
Johnny Hallyday Well I got a woman Way out of town She's…
Johnny Mathis (Ain't no woman like the one I've got.) (Ain't no woman…
Johnny Rivers Oh, sometimes I feel a little lonely .................. .…
Johnny Woods Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
José Feliciano I've got a feeling That we'll be seeing Each other again I'v…
June Carter I got a woman way cross town she's good to…
Korner Alexis I got a woman Way over town She's good to me Oh…
Lee Fields Oh save me I've been around Held myself not listen up I'm aw…
Louis Louis Louis My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Lucky Lloyd I got a woman That treats me good, yeah I got a…
Marvin & Turner Foddrell Oh, there's a train leaving here tomorrow, oh yeah And I'll…
Mayer John Trio Got a woman way over town that's good to me…
Micke Muster & T-Cats I've got a brother now Makes me happy somehow It took me…
Mike Elrington Sitting here at this empty table My life's a mess and…
Mr. Holland's Opus None of you motherfuckers don't care enough about a brother…
Nicolas Jaar I got a Woman I got a Woman I got a Woman I…
O'Connell & Love I've got the world on a string I'm sitting on a…
Pen Lee & Co I told you man gimme the blammy bruh And I'll I'll…
Punk Blues Review Well, I got a woman, way over town That's good to…
Ray C (Hey Michael, come on and swing) (Looks like you got the…
Ray Charles Well I got a woman, way over town That's good to me,…
Ray Charles(레이 찰스) Well, I got a woman, way over town That's good to…
Rick Nelson I got a woman way over town she's good to…
Ricky Nelson Well I've got a feeling That I'm gonna get you Say I've…
Robert Plant I got a woman Way over town She's good to me Oh…
Rock & Roll Lit up like the 4th I'm a happy drunk come…
Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings Hey young and innocent girl You don't even know that…
Rudedog Feat. Ray Charles I gotta woman Way over town That's good to me Oh yeah! Yeah…
Sammy Davis Jr. I ain't got nobody, and nobody cares for me And I'm…
Satan and Adam Going off, All I got Going off, All I got Going off,…
SCOTT FREDDIE Oh, baby, you, you got what I need You got everything…
Scotty & Bill I’m back and I’m dope-smoking I need more money, less dope,…
Scotty Moore & Elvis Presley Well, I've got a woman Way cross town She's good to me…
Sir Lord Baltimore I got a woman, I got you You make me feel…
Ska-J Well, I've been out on The street since yesterday Been look…
Snooks Eaglin Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Sonny Terry Well, I got a woman way over town That's good to…
Sonny Terry Brownie Mcghee Walkin' down the street this mornin' Full of my good gin A…
The Beatles Well, I got a woman way cross town She's good to…
The Beatles䈀 Well, I got a woman way cross town She's good to…
The Brandals I’ve got a woman Two times woman She’ll do anything way down…
The Charms I'm in love with a woman She ain't no ordinary woman Yeah Sh…
The Co-Dependents I told you man gimme the blammy bruh And I'll I'll…
The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars I've got johnny in my head (johnny in my head) When…
The Eagles I got a woman see you moving down the line She's…
The Everly Brothers Well, I got a woman Way over town That's good to me Oh y…
The Honeydrippers I Got a Woman I got a woman - way over…
The Juveniles [Juvenile] You need a nigga that stay sharp, always got mone…
The Monkees Mike: Alright, and now, here he is, the hardest workin'…
The Pacifics I've got something to tell you That I think you ought…
The Them Whoa sometime, sometimes I get a little worried Well, but I…
The V.I.P.'s I’m back and I’m dope-smoking I need more money, less dope,…
Them Whoa sometime, sometimes I get a little worried Well, but I…
Tom Jones You caught me fooling around with somebody new You caught me…
Tom Petty Have you heard that rumor, that's goin' around You've got a…
Tony Sheridan Well, I got a woman way cross town She's good to…
V.A. I’m telling little Shawty I got it Them hating niggas Know I…
various artist I'll be his lady, his true love Just give me some…
Walter I've got to find my baby Now, I'll search this town I…
Elvis Presley Well, I've got a woman Way cross town She's good to me…
RAY CHARLES Well I got a woman, way over town That's good to me,…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Dells:
A Heart Is A House For Love A heart is a house for love And I learned (I…
Ain't No Sunshine Ain't no sunshine when she's gone It's not warm when she's…
Alfie What's it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment…
All Your Goodies Are Gone I am through with you Baby, I refuse to be blue Let…
Always Together Just you, just me, always together I made up my mind…
Am I Blue Red and yellow and pink and green Purple and orange and…
Baby Do Well I′d my baby that she was sweet She told me…
Bring Back The Love Of Yesterday Oh, baby Let's pick up the pieces And let's work this thing…
Choosing Up On You You've got what I like, baby You know I'm crazy about…
Could It Be Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in…
Dance Dance Dance Sorriso de miss, bunda marca no jeans poledance na sala…
Darling I Know "Everyone knows that you are fucked up And everyone knows th…
Does Anybody Know I'm Here Alone and far away from home A boy stands in a…
Don Don't worry 'bout me It's all over now Though I'll miss you …
Don't Tell Nobody Don't tell nobody that we're in love And don't tell nobody…
Door To Your Heart Why don't you open the Door to your heart and let…
Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation Thank you very much Ladies and gentlemen You know, we're mig…
Glory of Love Mmmm.... I love you, I love you I love you, I love…
Hallways of My Mind Maybe I didn't treat you Quite as good as I should…
Higher And Higher Your love is liftin' me higher Than I've ever been lifted…
Hold On To What You've Got Let me tell you now Hold on, hold on to what…
I Hold me close, hold me tight Make me thrill with delight Let…
I Can Maserati petal mashing While I’m digital dashing Swerving bu…
I Can Sing A Rainbow Red and yellow and pink and green Purple and orange and…
I Can't Help Myself Sugar pie honey bunch you know that I love you I…
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself I just don't know what to do with myself Don't know…
I Miss You Woke up this mornin' Sunlight shinin' in my eyes Woke up thi…
I Need A Lot Of Love Hold me close, hold me tight Make me thrill with delight Let…
I Touched A Dream Since you left, life don't mean a thing I see the…
I Wanna Go Home Down by the river side I waited there for you,…
Intro Black Sheep is a term often use for the Outcasts, Someone…
Is It It Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in…
It's All Up to You If I knew the words to say I'd write you a…
Jeepers Creepers I don't care what the weatherman says When the weatherman sa…
Jo Jo'burg how I hate you Ag Jo'burg I must leave you Jo'burg…
Jo Jo You got the kind of friend That seen my Cadillac You got…
Learning To Love You Was Easy (Learning how to love you, sweet baby, was easy But it′s…
Lonely Lonely Nights Sometimes I feel so lonely sometimes I feel so alone And th…
Long Lonely Nights Long, long and lonely nights I cry my eyes out over…
Love is Blue Red and yellow and pink and green Purple and orange and…
Love We Had (Ooh...) I just can't believe it, girl (Baby) I can't…
Me You Before you take another step There's something you should kn…
Me + You you and me…
More And More "Everyone knows that you are fucked up And everyone knows th…
Movin' On I'm moving on here from here Facing my fear though the…
My Pretending Days Are Over My pretending days are over Gonna leave the acting To the …
Now I Pray Lord knows I tried so hard to be a companion I…
O-O I Love You Hold me close, hold me tight Make me thrill with delight Let…
Oh My Love Heaven is my woman's love Gently rising with the sun She giv…
Oh wat a night Do you recall the night That very very special night? Do you…
Oh What A Day What a day Everything's going my way What a day Everything's…
Oh What A Good Night Do you recall the night That very very special night? Do you…
Oh%2C What A Day What a day Everything's going my way What a day Everything's…
Oh%2C What A Night Do you recall the night That very very special night? Do you…
Oh, What A Night Do you recall the night, that very very special night Do…
On What a Nite Do you recall the night That very very special night? Do you…
One Less Bell To Answer One less bell to answer One less egg to fry One less…
Open Up My Heart I'm gonna open up my heart To the world this morning See…
Our Love You're my morning star Shining brightly beside me And if we …
Rain Picture this, any man that hustle because like to is…
Reminiscing Reminiscing about you girl Reminiscing about you Reminiscing…
Restless Days Sleepless Nights Restless days sleepless nights Lonely hours tell me why I′m …
Say That You'll Stay I was standing on the other side Watching you leaving I coul…
She's Just An Angel She's just an angel who thrills me every night She's just…
Since I Fell For You When you just give love And never get love You'd better let…
Someone To Call Me Darling Escupo skill style only baby you feel me, vámonos de…
Stay In My Corner If you stay, stay darling (Stay in my corner) You make me…
The Best In Me Party every night as if it's the only thing I…
The Glory Of Love Mmmm.... I love you, I love you I love you, I love…
The Love We Had (Ooh...) I just can't believe it, girl (Baby) I can't…
The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind) Lately baby, i've been thinkin' how good it was when you…
The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind) - Single Version Lately, babe, I've been thinking How good it was when you…
The Love We Had (Stays On My.. (Ooh...) I just can't believe it, girl (Baby) I can't…
The Love We Had Stays On My Mind Lately baby, i've been thinkin' How good it was when you…
There Is (There is) (There is) (There is) (There is) (There is the t…
Wait til tomorrow There's a way you look into my eyes It takes me…
Waiting For You When you just give love And never get love You'd better let…
Wear It on Our Face We're falling in love, my darling With all our heart and…
What Is Love Heaven is my woman's love Gently rising with the sun She giv…
You Don't Care cnd I said why, why, why Can't you keep it real…
You Promised Me Before you take another step There's something you should kn…
Zing Zing Zing I gotta girl and she′s alright I gotta girl and she's…
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themightydells
The Dells, 'blowing gut wrenching soul'
Arranger/Conductor: Richard Evans
themightydells
Things you didn't know: This is where the Isley Brothers,
got "Shout" from...... Now you know.
Rob Allbanks
I thought this was ray Charles, I’m young so forgive me, I still like the song!
themightydells
Marvin 'big voice' Junior