Founding members Robert Fleming, Johnny Dawson, Cleo "Duke" Miller and Norbert McClean recorded together for various small labels in Detroit prior to their Motown days, as the Sensations, the Five Emeralds, and the Downbeats, and also recorded as the Downbeats for Motown in 1962. The record company suggested that they add female lead vocalist Saundra Mallett, who had recorded unsuccessfully for the label, backed by The Vandellas; she later married and became Saundra Edwards. The new group's first single release was "Darling Baby", issued in December 1965; early copies credited the record to the Downbeats, but Berry Gordy wanted to use the name Elgins, which had previously been one of the names used by The Temptations. The record rose to no. 4 on the Billboard R&B chart and no. 72 on the pop chart, and its B-side, "Put Yourself in My Place", also made the pop chart. Several months later, they issued "Heaven Must Have Sent You", which again reached both the R&B and pop charts, becoming their biggest pop hit. They also released an album, Darling Baby. However, their follow-up single, "I Understand My Man," was less successful, and the group broke up in 1967.
With the continuing popularity of Motown records in the UK, "Heaven Must Have Sent You" was reissued in 1971 and rose to no. 3 on the UK singles chart. "Put Yourself in My Place" was also reissued and made the chart. With Saundra Mallett Edwards being unwilling to rejoin the group, the Elgins toured the UK with former session vocalist Yvonne Vernee Allen taking her place. In 1989, Allen, Dawson, McClean and Jimmy Charles recorded a new arrangement of "Heaven Must Have Sent You" for producer Ian Levine, and made several further recordings for Levine's Motorcity label in the 1990s. Saundra Edwards also made separate recordings for the same label.
Recordings of the group, including the album, Darling Baby, all the singles and unreleased recordings up to 1968, can be found on The Motown Anthology released in 2007. In addition, a British import CD paired their sole album for Motown with one by The Monitors, another group that recorded for Motown with limited success, and which featured future Temptation, Richard Street. Robert Fleming was born in 1921 and died in 1976. Saundra A. Mallett Edwards was born on May 7, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, and died on February 22, 2002. Johnnie Dawson died in 2018.
634-5789
The Elgins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call on me all right
If you want a little huggin'
Call on me baby, mmmmmm
Oh I'll be right here at home
All you got to do is
Pick up your telephone
(What's my number)
634-5789
If you need a little huggin'
Call on me
That's all you got to do now
If you want some kissin'
Call on me baby, all right
No more lonely nights
Will you be alone
All you got to do is
Pick up your telephone
And dial 634-5789
(What's my number)
634-5789
Oh I'll be right there
Just as soon as I can
And if I be a little bit late now
I hope that you'll understand
Oh yeah all right
Mmmmmmmm
If you need a little lovin'
Call on me
Lord have mercy
If you want some kissin'
Call on me baby
That's all you got to do now
No more lonely nights
Will you be alone
All you got to do is
Pick up your telephone
And dial 634-5789
(What's my number)
634-5789
Call me on the telephone
634-5789
No more will you be alone
634-5789
(What's my number) 634-5789
(That's my number) 634-5789
The Elgins's hit song 634-5789 is a classic soul anthem that speaks to the power of romantic availability. The singer offers himself up as a source of comfort to his intended love interest, essentially telling them to "call on [him]" whenever they need affection or tenderness. He implores the listener to dial his phone number, which he repeats throughout the chorus of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
If you need a little lovin'
Call on me all right
If you need some love in your life, you can count on me to be there for you.
If you want a little huggin'
Call on me baby, mmmmmm
Oh I'll be right here at home
If you need a hug or just someone to be there for you, call me and I will be waiting for you.
All you got to do is
Pick up your telephone
And dial 634-5789
(What's my number)
634-5789
To reach me, all you have to do is pick up your phone and dial my number: 634-5789.
If you want some kissin'
Call on me baby, all right
No more lonely nights
Will you be alone
If you are looking for some affection, call me and I will be there for you, ensuring that you never have to spend another lonely night.
Oh I'll be right there
Just as soon as I can
And if I be a little bit late now
I hope that you'll understand
Oh yeah all right
Mmmmmmmm
I promise that I will come to you as soon as possible, even if I am running a little late. I hope you will accept my apologies and be patient with me.
Lord have mercy
If you want some kissin'
Call on me baby
That's all you got to do now
No more lonely nights
Will you be alone
If you're looking for some kissing, call me and I will be there for you. You don't have to spend any more lonely nights on your own.
Call me on the telephone
634-5789
No more will you be alone
634-5789
(What's my number) 634-5789
(That's my number) 634-5789
You can always call me on my phone number (634-5789) and I will make sure you never feel alone again.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE CROPPER, EDDIE FLOYD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jmj190
Great version
krobigraubart
+jmj190 Indeed!
Andy Wood
This has got to be the best version. The other versions are to slow to dance to, this one has got the lot, Andy, Nottingham.
krobigraubart
I agree with you Andy, thx for your comment!
Andy Wood
Still the best !
Andy Wood
Thankyou my friend, you've got good taste.
krobigraubart
You're still right!