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)
Open Up My Heat
The Dells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the world this morning
See if I can help a friend
I'm gonna pull back the shades
Of my fear this morning
And let the light of
The world come in
Ever how much I'm down
I'm gonna go
I'm gonna go another round
Try to bring somebody happiness
As I look about me, I can see
All the blessings given to me
A baby boy
A woman who loves me
Oh, yeah
I'm gonna open up
Open up my heart this morning
And see if I can help a friend
I'm gonna give all my heart
Make a new start
In the world this morning
See if I can help a friend
If they scorn me today
Turn me away
No matter what they say
I'm gonna be just a friend
I'm gonna try it once more
Knock on every door
Of the world this morning
See if I can be a friend
Right on, brother, right on
I'm gonna give, give up my heart
I gotta make, I gotta make a
New start in the world this morning
If they scorn me today
Turn me away
No matter what they say
I'm gonna be her friend
Oh, I'm gonna try it
Try it once more
I gotta knock on
Each and every door
I gotta see if, I gotta
See if I can be a friend
I gotta say it one more time
I'm gonna give it all my heart
I gotta make me a new start
In the world this morning
I gotta see, can I help a friend
If they scorn me, scorn me today
Don't you dare turn me away
I'm gonna be just a friend
Oh, I'm gonna try it
Try it once more
I gotta knock on
Each and every door
Of the world this morning
I gotta see, I gotta
See if I can be a friend
Everybody, sing with me
I'm gotta give it all my heart
You know we gotta make a new start
In the world this morning
I'm gonna find me
I'm gonna find me a friend, oh
Scorn, scorn me today
They cannot
They can't turn me away
I'm gonna be just a friend
I wanna be your friend
I wanna be your friend
I gotta try just one more
You know I gotta knock on
Each and every door
I wanna see if I can be your friend
I wanna help somebody
I wanna helpo everybody
I gotta give up my heart
I wanna make
I wanna make a new start
Oh, in the world this morning
The Dells’ song Open Up My Heart is all about starting anew and trying to befriend someone who needs your help. The lyrics talk about opening up one's heart and letting love come in, even if there’s a possibility of being ridiculed or rejected. The singer of the song is determined to be a friend to someone in need, regardless of the circumstances. They are ready to go the extra mile and knock on every door to find someone they can help. The song advocates for kindness, selflessness, and compassion.
The lyrics of the song emphasize trying to help someone in need, even if it means being rejected. The line “If they scorn me today, Turn me away, No matter what they say, I'm gonna be just a friend” summarizes this theme quite effectively. The singer is willing to be mistreated or ridiculed as long as they can be a friend to someone who needs them. Furthermore, the song encourages the listener to be kind, empathetic, and selfless, as it states "I'm gonna try to bring somebody happiness."
The song's melody is quite soulful and emotional, with exquisite harmonies that the Dells were famous for. The track's rhythm is simple and does not overpower the lyrics, which are the main attraction.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna open up my heart
To the world this morning
See if I can help a friend
I will be vulnerable and share my emotions with the world today to try and assist someone who needs it.
I'm gonna pull back the shades
Of my fear this morning
And let the light of
The world come in
I will confront my fears and let in the positivity of the world to brighten my day.
Ever how much I'm down
I'm gonna go
I'm gonna go another round
Try to bring somebody happiness
Even when I'm feeling low, I will keep trying to make someone else's day better by spreading joy.
As I look about me, I can see
All the blessings given to me
A baby boy
A woman who loves me
Oh, yeah
When I reflect on my life, I am grateful for my son and my partner's love, which are sources of happiness in my life.
I'm gonna open up
Open up my heart this morning
And see if I can help a friend
I will open up and try to be a supportive friend to someone who needs it.
I'm gonna give all my heart
Make a new start
In the world this morning
See if I can help a friend
I will give my all to start anew and see if I can make a difference in someone else's life today.
If they scorn me today
Turn me away
No matter what they say
I'm gonna be just a friend
Even if someone is unkind to me or rejects me, I will strive to be a friend anyways.
I'm gonna try it once more
Knock on every door
Of the world this morning
See if I can be a friend
I will make an effort to reach out to everyone and try to be a good friend to those who need it.
I'm gonna give, give up my heart
I gotta make, I gotta make a
New start in the world this morning
I will put my heart into making a new beginning and strive to make the world a better place today.
Oh, I'm gonna try it
Try it once more
I gotta knock on
Each and every door
I gotta see if, I gotta
See if I can be a friend
I will keep trying and making an effort to reach out to others, even if it can be challenging.
I gotta say it one more time
I'm gonna give it all my heart
I gotta make me a new start
In the world this morning
I gotta see, can I help a friend
I will say it again that I will put my heart into starting anew and try to make the world a better place by being a good friend to those who need it.
Everybody, sing with me
I'm gotta give it all my heart
You know we gotta make a new start
In the world this morning
I'm gonna find me
I'm gonna find me a friend, oh
We are all in this together, and I will give my all to make a positive difference and try to find a friend who needs my support.
Scorn, scorn me today
They cannot
They can't turn me away
I'm gonna be just a friend
I wanna be your friend
I wanna be your friend
Even if someone is mean to me today, I won't let them push me away, and I still want to be there for them as a friend.
I gotta try just one more
You know I gotta knock on
Each and every door
I wanna see if I can be your friend
I wanna help somebody
I wanna helpo everybody
I will keep trying and make an effort to be there for anyone who needs my help or support.
I gotta give up my heart
I wanna make
I wanna make a new start
Oh, in the world this morning
I will give my all and make a fresh beginning, with the hope of making the world a better place.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
themightydells
The Mighty Dells (1952 - 2012) 60 Years of Musical Excellence: '2004 NAACP Image Award' Recipients.
2004 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
2004 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees
1991 R&B 'Pioneer Award. -
Doo Wop Hall of Fame Award.
'Soul of American Music Award'
"OH What A Night" ( EMMY) View on YouTube, Part 1 2 & 3
'5 Heartbeats Movie' based on, The Dells tumultuous career
Number (11) in the top (100) Greatest Vocal Groups
Long live, The Mighty Dells ..Marvin Junior, Verne Allison,
Michael 'Mickey'McGill, Johnnie Carter, Charles Barksdale.
Romello Bratner
EVERYONE RIGHT NOW, NEEDS TO LISTEN THIS...TEARS IN MY EYES, MY SOUL...WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CHANGE NOW!!!
Peggy G
The harmony and Juniors powerful and passionate voice is what made the Dells one of the best male groups. I still love them and play their music often, some of their songs give me goosebumps!!! ❤️
Erik Williams
Beautiful song. The music and especially the words!!!!! So very powerful 💪💪💪💪!!!!! What we as a people truly need today!!! We Are One!!!!✌️✊✌️✊!!!!
Roslyn Murphy
This song should be the National Anthem for the World....Love and helping others
Freddie Fisher
Gonna be a friend & open my heart ❤️💜 that's what I do, be a real friend & neighbor 🌹☝️🙏😁💕🫂🫂🫂
Otis Williams
Great
Patrice Boulanger
Such a heart warming song!!!!!! It can`t get much better then this......
Dewanda Smith
R.I.P baby good memories. Wow
Digital Asset Crusader
This is the sound that really touches your soul deep down.
sharon vanburen
Yes, yes, yes.