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.
Don't wait around
The Elgins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I'm supposed to be here with you, what's she here for?
You keep playing your games
You keep treating me bad
You keep acting so strange
And whatever we have is making me sad
But don't wait around
I'm moving on
Don't wait around
Cause I'll be gone
Don't wait around
Got my faith in my hands
Don't wait around
Time to find a new man
Didn't you know what you had, it was sweet, it was love, it was me
Giving all that a woman could give, to one special man
But you keep running around (?)
You keep making me cry
And my heart's had enough
So I'm saying goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
But don't wait around
I'm moving on
Don't wait around
Cause I'll be gone
Don't wait around
Got my faith in my hands
Don't wait around
Time to find a new man
Yeah, yeah
Oh, I need someone I can hold in the moonlight
Someone who knows . Alright
.
.
.
Don't wait around
I'm moving on
Don't wait around
Cause I'll be gone
Don't wait around
Got my faith in my hands
Don't wait around
Time to find a new man
(Don't wait around)
(Don't wait around)
(Don't wait around)
Don't wait around
I'm moving on
Don't wait around
Cause I'll be gone
Don't wait around
Got my faith in my hands
Don't wait around
Time to find a new man
Don't wait around
I'm moving on
Don't wait around
Cause I'll be gone
Don't wait around
Got my faith in my hands
Don't wait around
Time to find a new man
Don't wait around
Got my faith in my hands
Don't wait around
Time to find a new man
The lyrics of The Elgins's song "Don't wait around" convey a message of empowerment and self-realization. The singer is addressing a person who has taken them for granted and treated them poorly. The lyrics suggest that the singer has given their all to this person, offering love and devotion, but their efforts have been met with indifference and hurtful behavior.
The first verse highlights the singer's frustration with the situation. They express feeling overlooked and question why this person is involved with someone else if they are supposed to be together. The following lines emphasize the toxic nature of the relationship and the toll it has taken on the singer's emotions.
The chorus serves as a resolute declaration. The singer asserts that they are no longer willing to wait around for this person to change or treat them better. They proclaim that they are moving on and advise the person not to wait for them because they will be gone. The singer displays a newfound sense of agency, stating that they have faith in their own capabilities and that it is time to find a new and better partner.
Throughout the song, there are elements of disappointment, heartbreak, and the realization that the relationship is no longer sustainable. The singer recognizes that they deserve better, someone who appreciates them and reciprocates their love. The lyrics ultimately serve as an anthem of self-empowerment and a call to leave behind a toxic relationship in search of something healthier and more fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
You didn't notice me when you walked through the door
You didn't even acknowledge my presence when you entered
If I'm supposed to be here with you, what's she here for?
If I'm meant to be your partner, why is she also present?
You keep playing your games
You continue to manipulate and deceive me
You keep treating me bad
You consistently mistreat me
You keep acting so strange
Your behavior towards me is consistently bizarre
And whatever we have is making me sad
Our relationship is causing me a great deal of sadness
No this ain't working
Our relationship is clearly not functioning properly
But don't wait around
However, you shouldn't linger or hesitate
I'm moving on
I am progressing forward without you
Cause I'll be gone
Because I will no longer be present or available
Got my faith in my hands
I have taken control of my own trust and belief
Time to find a new man
It's time for me to search for a new romantic partner
Didn't you know what you had, it was sweet, it was love, it was me
Weren't you aware of the wonderful and affectionate relationship we had?
Giving all that a woman could give, to one special man
I devoted myself entirely to giving everything a woman can offer to a special man
But you keep running around
Yet, you continue to engage in thoughtless promiscuity
You keep making me cry
You consistently cause me to shed tears of pain and sorrow
And my heart's had enough
My heart is now completely worn out and can't take anymore
So I'm saying goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Therefore, I am bidding farewell, repeating it three times to emphasize my decision
Oh, I need someone I can hold in the moonlight
Oh, I desire a partner whom I can embrace under the soft glow of the moon
Someone who knows . Alright
Someone who understands and accepts me completely, without reservation
Don't wait around
Don't linger or hesitate
Got my faith in my hands
I have taken control of my own trust and belief
Time to find a new man
It's time for me to search for a new romantic partner
Got my faith in my hands
I have taken control of my own trust and belief
Time to find a new man
It's time for me to search for a new romantic partner
Don't wait around
Don't linger or hesitate
Got my faith in my hands
I have taken control of my own trust and belief
Time to find a new man
It's time for me to search for a new romantic partner
Don't wait around
Don't linger or hesitate
Got my faith in my hands
I have taken control of my own trust and belief
Time to find a new man
It's time for me to search for a new romantic partner
Don't wait around
Don't linger or hesitate
Got my faith in my hands
I have taken control of my own trust and belief
Time to find a new man
It's time for me to search for a new romantic partner
Don't wait around
Don't linger or hesitate
Got my faith in my hands
I have taken control of my own trust and belief
Time to find a new man
It's time for me to search for a new romantic partner
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN GEOFFREY LEVINE, CRAIG WAGNER STEVEN, KAY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IanLevine
Finally coming on a 45 this month. Would you believe this has NEVER been on a single. Kev Roberts released a really dreary slow version but this PROPER version is coming out for the very first time in history. Grab it when it comes.
@alexandermcbride
Great dance music.Keep it coming.
@bossman344
How often does history still live AND look and sound so GOOD! You go, homes! Great stuff!
@TheRioBreeze
Back in 2005 this song was big in the Beach Music/Shag circuit. It was redone by Rhonda McDaniel a few years ago and she did it justice, but this one is still the best.
@008BUCKINSSR
AWESOME TUNE!
@IanLevine
We've done four separate mixes on this song over the years, but this is the best.
@lotuselise140
Ian your fantastic
@ukeggs1
Pure quality
@BarbraAlejandro
I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Love This Song!!!!! Thanks Ian, Take Care-David
@razelma
A great track this one.