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)
Movin' On
The Dells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Facing my fear though the path unclear
I'm moving on here from here
Why would I stay pretend or play
Finding my way
False love decays
Let go of pain
Joy to gain
Finding my way
False love decays
Let go of pain
Joy to gain
Fly, way
Move, change
Fly, way
Move, change
I'm moving on here from here
Cleaned out my closet the space is clear
I'm moving on here from here
No looking back the code is cracked
Finding my way
False love decays
Let go of pain
Joy to gain
Finding my way
False love decays
Let go of pain
Joy to gain
Fly, way
Move, change
Fly, way
Move, change
Fly, way
Move, change
Fly, way
Move, change
Finding my way
False love decays
Let go of pain
Joy to gain
Finding my way
False love decays
Let go of pain
Joy to gain
The lyrics of The Dells's song "Movin' On" speak to the theme of personal growth and liberation. The singer expresses their determination to move forward, regardless of the obstacles they may face or the uncertainties of the path ahead. They acknowledge that staying in a place of pretense or playing games is not beneficial for their journey. Instead, they choose to find their own way, letting go of false love and pain in order to gain joy.
The repetition of the lines "Finding my way, False love decays, Let go of pain, Joy to gain" underscores the importance of self-discovery and healing. The singer recognizes that they must release the negative aspects of their past in order to embrace a brighter future. By clearing out their metaphorical closet and leaving no room for looking back, they have unlocked the code to their own happiness.
The repeated phrase "Fly, way, Move, change" further emphasizes the theme of progress and forward motion. It suggests a sense of freedom and empowerment that comes from moving on and embracing change. The chorus serves as a rallying call for the singer to embrace their own journey and find their own path, unencumbered by the past.
Overall, "Movin' On" is a song about personal growth, resilience, and the power of letting go. It encourages listeners to face their fears, leave behind what no longer serves them, and embrace the joy that comes from finding their own way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm moving on here from here
I am leaving my current situation behind and starting anew
Facing my fear though the path unclear
Confronting my fears even though I am uncertain about the future
Why would I stay pretend or play
There is no reason for me to pretend or act anymore
Finding my way
Discovering the path that is meant for me
False love decays
Inauthentic love fades away
Let go of pain
Releasing the burden of emotional pain
Joy to gain
Gaining happiness and fulfillment
Fly, way
Soar towards a new direction
Move, change
Taking action and embracing transformation
I'm moving on here from here
Continuing my journey forward
Cleaned out my closet the space is clear
I have let go of the past, creating room for new experiences
No looking back the code is cracked
I am not dwelling on the past, I have discovered the solution
Finding my way
Navigating towards my purpose
False love decays
Insincere love fades away
Let go of pain
Releasing emotional anguish
Joy to gain
Attaining happiness and fulfillment
Fly, way
Soar towards new opportunities
Move, change
Taking action and embracing transformation
Fly, way
Soar towards a new direction
Move, change
Taking action and embracing transformation
Finding my way
Discovering my true path
False love decays
Inauthentic love fades away
Let go of pain
Releasing emotional suffering
Joy to gain
Attaining joy and fulfillment
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Joshua Randall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Walter Claven
The Song Came Out N 1956 Early Doo Wop.
J. Conroy
1956, the follow up release to Oh What A Nighi
Zev Feldman
pretty