The group was founded in the early 1960s in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA by Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, and lead singer Joey Canzano (later known as Joey Vann). George Paxton, a former big band leader was impressed by the group's style and signed them to his Coed Records label. Their first single "You Belong to Me" had previously been a hit for Jo Stafford in 1952. The Duprees' version was given a big band backing by Paxton and reached the US top ten in 1962.
The band had more top 40 hits in the next few years. "My Own True Love" was a vocal adaptation of "Tara's Theme" from the soundtrack of Gone with the Wind and became the group's second hit. "Have You Heard" and "Why Don't You Believe Me" also reached the Top 40 charts and, like "You Belong to Me," were originally early '50s female vocal hits (Joni James, in this case). The band became known for mixing doo-wop vocals with big band arrangements. Tom Bialoglow left in 1963. Mike Kelly, who had recorded on the group's original demos for George Paxton, replaced Joey Vann as lead vocalist in 1964.
Despite becoming unfashionable after the Beatles spearheaded the British Invasion in 1964, the Duprees continued to record, turning in a more "pop" direction, and reaching the Top 100 as late as 1975. The group still performs today on the oldies circuit, but with no original members. Joe Santollo died in 1981, Joey Vann died in 1984 and Mike Arnone died in 2005.
Richie Rosato, who sang lead for the Duprees throughout much of the '80s and '90s, left the group in 2002. Michael Kelly sang with The Chaperones for a brief stint in 2006. Tommy Bialoglow has his own group called Twilight Time. John Salvato is a booking agent and no longer performs. The group currently consists of Tommy Petillo (with the group since 2002), Jimmy Spinelli, Phil Granito, and Tony Testa.
Take Me As I Am
The Duprees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I will always love you
So if you (want) want me
Take me as I am
Here I stand
Just a plain and simple joe
I′m not perfect, nor do I claim to be so
So if you (want) want me
I'm not a genius, nor do I want to be
I'm not perfect, as you can plainly see
So if you (want) want me
Take me as I am
I know just how to treat you
And make you love me strong
I never loved anyone else
And you taught me right from wrong
Yes it′s you, yes it′s you
And I will always love you
So if you (want) want me
Take me as I am
You take me, take me as I am (take me as I am)
The lyrics of The Duprees' song "Take Me As I Am" convey an honest and humble plea for acceptance and love. The singer expresses their unconditional love for someone and asserts that they will always love them. They acknowledge their imperfections and emphasize that they do not claim to be perfect or exceptional. This is highlighted in the lines "I'm not perfect, nor do I claim to be so" and "I'm not a genius, nor do I want to be." The singer emphasizes their simplicity and down-to-earth nature, describing themselves as a "plain and simple joe."
The repeated phrase "So if you want me, take me as I am" emphasizes the singer's desire for acceptance and reassures the listener that they don't need to change or be someone else in order to be loved. They recognize their flaws but also express their ability to treat the listener well and make them feel loved and appreciated. This is conveyed in the lines "I know just how to treat you and make you love me strong" and "I never loved anyone else, and you taught me right from wrong." The lyrics ultimately convey a sense of vulnerability and the singer's plea for the listener to embrace them with all their imperfections.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes it's you, yes it's you
You, and only you, are the object of my affection
And I will always love you
My love for you is unwavering and eternal
So if you (want) want me
If you desire to have me
Take me as I am
Accept me just the way I am, with my flaws and imperfections
Here I stand
I am present and ready for you
Just a plain and simple joe
I am an ordinary person with no extraordinary qualities
I'm not perfect, nor do I claim to be so
I acknowledge my imperfections and have no pretense of being flawless
I'm not a genius, nor do I want to be
I have no aspiration to be exceptionally intelligent
I'm not perfect, as you can plainly see
It is evident that I have flaws and weaknesses
I know just how to treat you
I understand how to care for and respect you
And make you love me strong
I will do things that will deepen and strengthen your love for me
I never loved anyone else
You are the only person I have truly loved
And you taught me right from wrong
You have guided me and helped me differentiate between good and bad
You take me, take me as I am (take me as I am)
I want you to accept me in all my flaws and imperfections, without wanting to change me
Writer(s): J. Canzano, J. Santollo
Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jonathan perez
THE DUPREES (Take me as I am)
Sí, eres tu.
Sí, eres tu.
Y yo siempre te amare.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, tómame como soy.
Aquí estoy, solo un Joe simple y llano.
No soy perfecto ni pretendo serlo.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, tómame como soy.
No soy un genio ni quiero serlo.
No soy perfecto como puedes ver claramente.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, tómame como soy.
Yo sé cómo tratarte y hacer que me ames fuerte.
Nunca amé a nadie más y me enseñaste el bien del mal.
Sí, eres tu.
Sí, eres tu.
Y yo siempre te amare.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, me tomas como soy, me llevas, tómame como soy...
peter .farias
1962....[Chorus]
Yes it's you
Yes it's you
And I will always
Love you
So if you want me
Take me as I am
[Verse 1]
Here I stand
Just a plain and simple Joe
I'm not perfect
Nor do I claim to be so
So if you want me
Take me as I am
[Verse 2]
I'm not a genius
Nor do I want to be
I'm not perfect
As you can plainly see
So if you want me
Take me as I am
[Bridge]
I know just how to treat you
And make you love me strong
I never loved anyone else
And you taught me right from wrong
[Chorus]
Yes it's you
Yes it's you
And I will always
Love you
So if you want me
Take me as I am
You take me
Takе me as I am (Take me as I am).....1962
Billy Oltmann
There was NO BETTER ! The Duprees set the standard ! I am 79 yrs. old , grew up with them !!
feuxyo
heck yeah billy
GL AnnapolisTeam
Love the Duprees! Now that is what I CALL MUSIC !!!
charles winters
Great romantic classic are gone forever ...but they are still in our hearts...
Rick rick
Aren’t you listening?
eziggy46able
The Duprees at their very best! A goosebump song that is kicking into one of my favorite all time doowops!
Levan Moore
I always liked the Dupree’s great vocals and great songs they recorded beautiful songs
jonathan perez
THE DUPREES (Take me as I am)
Sí, eres tu.
Sí, eres tu.
Y yo siempre te amare.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, tómame como soy.
Aquí estoy, solo un Joe simple y llano.
No soy perfecto ni pretendo serlo.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, tómame como soy.
No soy un genio ni quiero serlo.
No soy perfecto como puedes ver claramente.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, tómame como soy.
Yo sé cómo tratarte y hacer que me ames fuerte.
Nunca amé a nadie más y me enseñaste el bien del mal.
Sí, eres tu.
Sí, eres tu.
Y yo siempre te amare.
Así que si quieres... quiéreme, me tomas como soy, me llevas, tómame como soy...
Anthony P
amazing voices listen to them all day
peter .farias
1962....[Chorus]
Yes it's you
Yes it's you
And I will always
Love you
So if you want me
Take me as I am
[Verse 1]
Here I stand
Just a plain and simple Joe
I'm not perfect
Nor do I claim to be so
So if you want me
Take me as I am
[Verse 2]
I'm not a genius
Nor do I want to be
I'm not perfect
As you can plainly see
So if you want me
Take me as I am
[Bridge]
I know just how to treat you
And make you love me strong
I never loved anyone else
And you taught me right from wrong
[Chorus]
Yes it's you
Yes it's you
And I will always
Love you
So if you want me
Take me as I am
You take me
Takе me as I am (Take me as I am).....1962