At the age of seven Hawkins was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's gospel choir. Together with Betty Watson, he was the co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members. This ensemble recorded its first album Let Us Go into the House of the Lord at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California privately (on the Century 70 custom label), hoping to sell 500 copies. "Oh Happy Day" was just one of the eight songs on the album. (The soloists in the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison, Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.)
When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing "Oh Happy Day", it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single (on the newly created Pavilion label distributed by Buddah) rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the German Singles Charts in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it. Hawkins' arrangement of the song was eventually covered by The Four Seasons on their 1970 album Half & Half.
Their second Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts was the 1970 Melanie single "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," on which the label listed the performers as Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. In the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is the choir master for the gospel songs.
Hawkins died on January 15, 2018, at the age of 74.
Precious Memories
The Edwin Hawkins Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious, sacred scenes unfold.
Inside out I get lonely Truth of Jesus love is told
Jesus whispers I'll be with you
Sacred secrets seem to unfold
The song "Precious Memories" by the Edwin Hawkins Singers is a touching and emotional tribute to the power of memories. The lyrics capture the essence of how our memories can shape us, and how they stay with us long after the events themselves have passed. The opening lines "Precious memories, How they linger, How they ever flood my soul" beautifully convey the feeling of a flood of memories that can overwhelm us at times. The next lines, "In the stillness of the midnight, Precious, sacred scenes unfold," add to the feeling of nostalgia and the power of memories to transport us to another time and place. The singer then goes on to express how in the midst of loneliness or difficult times, the truth of Jesus' love is revealed, and it is through this love that healing and peace can be found. The final line, "Sacred secrets seem to unfold," captures the magic and mystery of memories, and how they can reveal new insights and wisdom as we reflect on them.
Overall, "Precious Memories" is a poignant and moving tribute to the power of memory and the role it plays in shaping our lives. The song provides comfort and solace for those who are struggling with difficult times, and reminds us of the deep connection we have to those we have loved and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Precious memories,
Memories that are valuable and cherished,
How they linger
How they stay on my mind,
How they ever flood my soul
How they emotionally overwhelm me,
In the stillness of the midnight
During a quiet and peaceful time at night,
Precious, sacred scenes unfold.
Important and holy moments reveal themselves,
Inside out I get lonely
I feel deeply sad and isolated,
Truth of Jesus love is told
The message of Jesus' love is being shared,
Jesus whispers I'll be with you
Jesus is offering his presence and support,
Sacred secrets seem to unfold
Mystical and divine revelations reveal themselves,
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J.B.F. WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jenniferwilson4199
This song brings back "Precious Memories." When I hear it, I am reminded of listening to this and many other Hawkins songs as they played on the radio Sunday morning while we got ready for Sunday school and church. Such "Precious Memories!" Thank you Hawkins Family!
@cgcade1
I love this arrangement! Thank you so much for posting this timeless classic. I asked Edwin about the syncopation @1:13 a few years ago in passing and he indicated it was an afterthought. It is a remarkable highlight that I always loved. It adds such an element of accent and flavor that enhances the arrangement and give the vocals such a compliment. This show the excellence of musicianship. No competition just a perfection without it being too busy. Finding that balance is not easy to accomplish. Awesome. That's is why this is and will always be a "Precious Memory". Thanks, Tramaine featured soloist, flawless background vocals, chords, and harmonies... for making this a timeless gospel classic.
@MrCJ-qz9dl
That's exactly what this song brings back--PRECIOUS MEMORIES!!@✌
@wayne5552
What I love about TRAMAINE is her tone exhausts the whole note. The plate is left clean. You're LEFT mesmerized. One of a kind.
@kathymcgill68
The Hawkins, Walter and Edwin were great writers and musicians. Tramaine, one of a kind vocals!!!
@elderrondyfleming6162
Another good song featuring that Hawkins "magic" highlighting what sounds to me like a 'Fender' electric guitar cutting loose all over the place. Player...play on!
@kathymcgill68
Addendum to a comment made earlier, Tramine's voice is a beautiful, one of a kind voice!!!
@deontebrewer2998
Sing Tramaine
@Brenda-qr5ub
❤