At first, both Moses and Arthur Bassett shared lead duties with Moses singing the lead on My Lovin' Baby and Bassett singing the lead on Baby I Need You. Hazel McCollum, a female lead, sang the lead on Annie's Answer. Bassett later joined the air force and Moses took over lead duties singing most of the groups remaining records. The last records with Bassett in the group were One "More Chance" b/w "Little Miss Love." The group scored a big R&B hit and crossover hit with "At My Front Door" a real boppin' number in 1955 (Vee Jay 147). The B side was "What's Buggin You Baby."
In 1955, the group had another modest hit with "I'll Be Forever Lovin' You" on Vee-Jay which was originally recorded by a group known as the Five Knights of Rhythm but never released. Subsequently, the group recorded "I Began to Realize" upon which they lost their bass Richard Nickens who joined the army.
In 1957, the group members felt they were being mistreated and they left for Oakland, California. Moses remained and add members from the Delegates - Johnny Carter, Teddy Long, John McCall, and Douglas Brown. The new El Dorados recorded two more songs for Vee-Jay - "The Lights are Low" and "Three Reasons Why" in 1958. The group broke up in 1959. The remaining members of the El Dorados (Jones, Maddox, Bradley and new lead Marvin Smith) named themselves the Four El Dorados and recorded for Academy Records. They later added George Kemp and Melvin Morrow of the Moroccos and renamed themselves the Major-Minors. On December 17, 2000, Pirkle Lee Moses, Jr., died of cancer.
I'll Be Forever Loving You
The El Dorados Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should I stay and be happy dear or should I go?
If this is so, I'll be forever loving you
Does your heart beat like mine?
Don't you sometimes think that you've had too much wine?
If this is so, I'll be forever loving you
When you're near, everything is so sweet
When you're gone, I feel like I'm in need
Is it yes, or is it no?
Should I stay and be happy dear or should I go?
If this is so, I'll be forever loving you
When you're near, everything is so sweet
When you're gone, I feel like I'm in need
When you smile, I feel so gay
Is it yes, or is it no?
Do you love me dear?
Oh won't you tell me so
If this is so, I'll be forever loving you
The El Dorados' song "I'll Be Forever Loving You" is a classic love song that dwells on the uncertainty of love. The lyrics are filled with questions and doubts that arise when one is deeply in love. The first verse opens with a question, "Is it yes, or is it no?", that reflects the artist's confusion about whether to stay or leave. Despite this, the tone of the song is optimistic, reflecting the singer's willingness to love and be loved.
The second verse continues to express the artist's confusion about the reciprocation of love. The questions asked are an indication of the singer's vulnerability and their desire to know whether their love is being reciprocated. The phrase "If this is so, I'll be forever loving you" implies that the artist is willing to commit to the relationship if the affection is mutual. The chorus of the song provides a contrast between the emotions that surface in a relationship when one is near or far. When the person is near, everything feels sweet, but once they are gone, the singer feels like they are in need.
The final stanza of the song is intriguing. It is as if the artist is giving up their vulnerability and asking for a direct answer from their beloved. The phrase "Do you love me dear? Oh won't you tell me so" reveals the exposed emotions of someone who is deeply in love, seeking an affirmation from their relationship's significant other. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer reiterating their commitment by saying "I'll be forever loving you."
Line by Line Meaning
Is it yes, or is it no?
I am uncertain of your feelings towards me and if you want me to stay or go.
Should I stay and be happy dear or should I go?
I am contemplating if leaving and moving on will lead to happiness or if staying is a better choice.
If this is so, I'll be forever loving you
If you choose for me to stay and love you, I will always be devoted to you and our love will endure.
Does your heart beat like mine?
I am curious if you feel the same deep love and connection towards me as I feel towards you.
Don't you sometimes think that you've had too much wine?
I am wondering if your feelings towards me are genuine or if they are influenced by alcohol.
When you're near, everything is so sweet
Being in your presence brings immense joy and happiness to my life.
When you're gone, I feel like I'm in need
Your absence leaves a void in my life, and I yearn for your return.
When you smile, I feel so gay
Your smile brings immense happiness and cheer to my life.
Do you love me dear? Oh won't you tell me so
I am desperate for confirmation of your love for me, as your feelings are unclear to me.
Writer(s): Ted Daniels, Leon Arnold
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Dino-sn2yb
These were some of the songs we use to sing on street corners, love it
@bobwyld7050
Man...this was and still is a jewel of the music we loved..we all lived in heaven with this great 45...a great record from a gifted group...the lead vocal.was a natural...still have this 45..
@madelinepearl7473
I'll go you one better. I still have the 78 but unfortunately have nothing to play it on, so I always go to Plan B and do a search on youtube.
@yalegottenberg2153
where have all these outstanding groups /singers gone to. They represented a time that cannot be repeated. Unfortunate.
@dancelli714
I saw them with other groups in 1955 at the Paramount theater in San Francisco in 1955. They sang this classic and Crazy Little Momma Knocking at my Door. I believe this song was taken from a Abbott and Costello movie ? They were in Mexico. MEXICAN HAYRIDE
@brahmburgers
I'm like a human juke box and can sing/play hundreds of 50's and 60's hits. This song is stellar. It doesn't get better than this. There's also a version by the Persuasions, that's very good.
@charlesperry-kelly6284
South side of Chi-town. One of it's best groups!
@lc5932
I'll be forever loving this song!!!!!
@harrietyoungblood7000
I never got to perform a duet with Pirkle, my stepfather but He and my stepfather's group The El Dorado's is apart of my lifetime memories of a destined Love never to be forgotten. He gave me his old car, a station wagon that I never learned to drive it before it was taken from the street in front of the townhouse where he and my mom lived before I called 9-1-1 on that day of his surprise for me to know how much I had loved him truly then and I helped him (Pirkle Lee Moses, Jr.) when he was married to my mom, his own true life wife and different kind of a sweet little mama. I helped her and him when he was sick with a diagnosed condition of brain and lung Cancer as it was told to the family and I had never thought he would die, be gone so fast, in a few months before my second son, Steven Mychael Youngblood had reached a year old on November 28, 2001 but Pickle died in the year 2000 after the birth of my son Steven. Pirkle will be missed in the world of music and in our combined families that still are shocked and grieving as I am still shocked and grieving because my birth father and Pirkle are now deceased, leaving me and many relatives and his other wives and children to mourn including fans from London England where the El Dorado's group of my stepfather, Pirkle Lee Mosevs, Jr. sang with greatness flowing from all of them. Give God Almighty thanks for musical voices that gives and keeps on giving regardless of life's pain, joys and sorrow and that death that gives and takes away our tears.
@brahmburgers
@Harriet Youngblood I'm like a human juke box and can sing/play hundreds of 50's and 60's tunes. This tune is tops. It doesn't get better than this. Your stepdad and his buddies must have had a blast, traveling around and singing/performing. Good do-wop is better than sex, and I love sex.