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.
It's Been a Long Long Time
The Elgins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I long just to
(Hold you close, hold you close)
And, oh, oh
Since I've wanted to
Kiss your sweet lips
Yes, I long just to
It's been a long, long time, oh, yeah
You know I (been all over the world)
I been all over this world
(Searching for someone like you)
Searching for someone like you
(Much to my surprise) ohh
You came, you came into my view
And, oh, oh, oh
Since I've wanted to hold, hold you close
And I long just to
(Hold you close, hold you close)
Since I (held you close, held you close)
Mmm, I wanna (kiss you once, kiss you twice)
It's been a long since I
(Held you close, held you close)
The Elgins's song "It's Been A Long Long Time" is a love song about a person who has been searching for love all over the world and finally found it with the person they are singing to. The lyrics reveal the person's strong desire to hold and kiss their lover close. The repetition of the lines "hold you close" and "kiss you once, kiss you twice" emphasizes the person's longing for physical intimacy with their lover. The phrase "it's been a long, long time" suggests that the person has been waiting for this moment for a very long time and is finally able to express their feelings.
The line "much to my surprise, you came into my view" shows that the person did not expect to find love with this particular individual, but they are grateful for the unexpected encounter. The song's upbeat tempo and the doo-wop harmonies give the song a nostalgic feel which is appropriate for a song about a long-awaited love.
Overall, "It's Been A Long Long Time" is a classic love song that captures the excitement and joy of finally finding true love.
Line by Line Meaning
Since I wanted to hold, hold you close
I have yearned to embrace you closely
And I long just to (Hold you close, hold you close)
All I desire is to feel your warmth in my arms
And, oh, oh, oh
My emotions are overwhelming
Since I've wanted to kiss your sweet lips
I have yearned to taste your lips' sweetness
Yes, I long just to (Kiss you once, kiss you twice)
All I desire is to plant kisses on your lips repeatedly
It's been a long, long time, oh, yeah
I have gone without seeing you for an extended period
You know I (been all over the world)
I have traveled to various places
I been all over this world (Searching for someone like you)
My travels were driven by the quest to find someone like you
(Much to my surprise) ohh You came, you came into my view
To my amazement, I finally encountered you
Since I've wanted to hold, hold you close
I have yearned to embrace you closely
And I long just to (Hold you close, hold you close)
All I desire is to feel your warmth in my arms
Since I (held you close, held you close)
I have embraced you closely before
Mmm, I wanna (kiss you once, kiss you twice)
I want to plant kisses on your lips repeatedly
It's been a long since I (Held you close, held you close)
It has been a while since I embraced you closely
Contributed by Sophia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ralphbeckmann6624
Sung from the heart! Love this old music. I was in Afghanistan in 2013 fighting the war. I was 57 years old. Probably a little to old to be fighting. I listen to these oldies to keep me sane and back home in my heart.
@Madminute1968
Thank You for your honorable military service to our country.
Military Assistance Command
Advisory Team 8
2nd Area Logistical Command
2nd Corps.
Qui Nhon(Vietnam)
June 67 to June 68.
@Caskchap
57 a little to old? Well done old chap.
@sundae1999
Mantep tah lagu na jadi beda vibes na
@lucasskutt4236
Hope you’re doing well
@neillewis918
This is by far my favourite Elgins song
@clareons
Thank you, it's mine too.
@divinewilliams3055
saundra was probably the most under rated female vocalist at motown. when you hear the elgins PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE it blows diana ross/supremes version out of the water. isley brothers did a great version but the elgins own that song
@Madminute1968
Indeed, Saundra Edwards had a lovely angelic voice******
@ericgarcia5729
Well Diana was bangin Berry Gordy im sure that helped her😅😅😅