1. The Esquire… Read Full Bio ↴There have been at least 7 bands named The Esquires -
1. The Esquires were an American R&B and soul group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, principally active from 1957 to 1976. Their debut record for Bunky/Scepter was "Get on Up", (1967) which became a major hit in the United States, peaking at #11 as a pop single but reaching #3 on the R&B charts.
2. A Canadian pop/rock band active from 1962 to 1967. They were the first act of their kind signed to a major label in Canada, as well as one of the first winners of what later became the Juno Award.
3. Surf Band c 1966 from California.
4. A garage band formed in 1965 from Springfield, Massachusetts, who released a single on the tiny local label Salem - "SALEM SR-003 - Shake A Tail Feather / Down The Track". Very shortly after this a change in personnel & direction was accompanied with a name change to The Bold and later again, to just Bold.
5. A mid-sixties garage band from Texas.
6. A mid-Sixties garage band from Florida.
7. A rock-n-roll side project of the usually-acoustic duo Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, featuring Rawlings on electric guitar and lead vocals, Welch on bass, David Steele on drums, and occasionally Ryan Adams; active late 90s-early 2000s.
#1 The group first formed in 1957 around the Moorer family: Gilbert (born Gilbert Moorer, Jr., August 20, 1941, Birmingham, Alabama, died August 28, 2008), his brother Alvis (born Alvis V. Moorer, January 18, 1940, Birmingham, Alabama, died August 21, 2011), and their sister Betty. They first performed as Betty Moorer and the Esquires. When their sister and lead singer left, the group shortened its name to The Esquires, and Gilbert became lead singer. In 1961, Sam Pace (born Sammie L. Pace, September 22, 1944, Kansas City, Missouri, died January 7, 2013) joined as a tenor. They went through many lineup changes over their first decade, which saw them aiming mostly for local recognition. In 1966 they moved to Chicago and auditioned for Curtis Mayfield, who was not interested in signing them. They then attempted to sign with Constellation Records, but the record label went under at the end of 1966; they signed instead with Bunky Records, Constellation's successor. Bunky was distributed by Scepter Records on the national level.
Their debut record for Bunky/Scepter was "Get on Up", (1967) which became a major hit in the United States, peaking at #11 as a pop single but reaching #3 on the R&B charts. Following the release they played Chicago's Regal Theater and the Apollo Theatre in New York City. Further singles were also successes, and the group released one full-length LP. After five singles on Bunky the group signed a deal with Scepter themselves late in 1968. They later returned to Bunky and then, in 1970, signed with Capitol Records for one single ("Reach Out") and Lamarr Records in 1971 for "Girls in the City".
Gilbert Moorer died from throat cancer on August 28, 2008, at the age of 67.
Alvis Moorer died on August 21, 2011 at the age of 71.
Sam Pace died after a long illness on January 7, 2013 at the age of 68.
Edwards, who lives in Chicago, is now the only surviving member of the band from its recording days.
Members
Gilbert Moorer
Alvis Moorer
Betty Moorer
Sam Pace (1961β)
Shawn Taylor (1965β1967)
Millard Edwards
Perry Moore
Goose "Preacher" Hilliard Smith
Discography
Albums
Year Album Record label
1967 Get on Up and Get Away Bunky Records
1982 The Esquires Flying Heart Records
1984 Whatcha Got?
1987 The Esquires
Singles
Year Title Peak chart
positions Record Label B-side Album
US US
R&B
1967 "Get on Up" 11 3 Bunky Records "Listen to Me" Get on Up and Get Away
"And Get Away" 22 9 "Everybody's Laughing"
1968 "You Say" 126 41 "State Fair"
"Why Can't I Stop" β 48 "The Feeling's Gone"
"I Know I Can" β β "How Could It Be"
"You've Got the Power" 91 29 Wand Records "No Doubt About It"
1969 "I Don't Know" β 37 "Part Angel"
"Reach Out" β β Capitol Records "Listen to Me"
1970 "Ain't No Reason" β β B and G Records "Baba-Daba-Dop"
1971 "Dancin' a Hole in the World" β β Rocky Ridge
Records "That Ain't No Reason"
"Girls in the City" 120 18 Lamarr Records "Ain't Gonna Give It Up"
1974 "Let Me Build You a New World" β β New World
Records "Stay"
1976 "Get on Up '76" β 62 Ju-Par Records "The Feeling's Gone"
1980 "The Show Ain't Over" β β Cigar Man
Music Records "What Good Is Music?"
And Get Away
The Esquires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
got to get away
pick your feeet up just a little higher
move your legs from side to side
clap your hands a little louder
you can shinga ling
and sock sock sock it to me
so hear what i sat
girl let me help you do the pearl
got to keep on pushin
got to get through to you
girl you make me so happy
just as long as i can see you
get on up and get away
sock sock sock it to me
da da ow
get on up get on up and get away
clap your hands
just a little louder
stomp your feet
just a little louder
come on every body and feel the beat
come on every body
you're doing it real neat
so come on
get on up and get away
girl
get on up and get away
The lyrics to The Esquires' song "And Get Away" seem to be encouraging someone to get up and dance or to let loose and have a good time. The singer is telling the listener to move their feet a little higher and clap their hands a little louder while also referencing popular dance crazes of the time such as the shing-a-ling. The phrase "sock sock sock it to me" also appears frequently in the song, further emphasizing the idea of letting loose and having fun. The singer also mentions wanting to keep pushing and getting through to someone, as well as expressing happiness when they are able to see them.
Overall, the song seems to be about finding joy in movement and letting loose. It could also be interpreted as a message about perseverance, as the singer encourages the listener to keep pushing and not giving up.
Line by Line Meaning
wait
Take a moment to prepare yourself mentally and physically for what is to come.
got to get away
Feel the need to escape from whatever negative situation or emotion you are currently experiencing.
pick your feeet up just a little higher
Put in extra effort and energy to physically distance yourself from your current situation.
move your legs from side to side
Make deliberate and purposeful movements that take you away from where you currently are.
clap your hands a little louder
Express excitement and enthusiasm for the opportunity to put distance between yourself and your problems.
you can shinga ling
Use dance as a way of physically and emotionally freeing yourself from your current circumstances.
and sock sock sock it to me
Urges the listener to keep pushing themselves despite any obstacles or challenges.
so hear what i sat
Listen closely to my message of empowerment and liberation through movement.
and get on up and get away
Take action to distance yourself from your current problems and find a happier, freer place.
girl let me help you do the pearl
Addressing the listener, offering support and encouragement in their efforts to get away from their problems.
got to keep on pushin
Emphasizes the need for persistence and drive to succeed in breaking free from negative circumstances.
got to get through to you
Trying to convince the listener of the importance of getting away and the benefits that come with it.
girl you make me so happy
Expressing gratitude and joy for the presence of the listener in the singer's life.
just as long as i can see you
The happiness and joy of the singer is tied to the continued presence of the listener in their life.
sock sock sock it to me
Encouragement to keep pushing forward and not give up despite any setbacks.
da da ow
An exclamation of excitement and energy.
get on up get on up and get away
Reiteration of the importance of taking action to remove oneself from negative circumstances.
clap your hands
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement for the opportunity to move on and find a happier place.
just a little louder
Urges the listener to put forth extra effort and energy to achieve their goal.
stomp your feet
Use physical movement to express frustration and determination in the pursuit of the goal.
come on every body and feel the beat
Invitation to everyone to join in the movement and experience the emotional release that comes with it.
come on every body
Addressing the listener and urging them to take action.
you're doing it real neat
Complimenting the listener on their efforts and encouraging them to continue.
so come on
Urges the listener to not hesitate and take action now.
get on up and get away
Final reinforcement of the message that the listener needs to get away from their problems to achieve happiness and liberation.
girl
Addressing the listener in a familiar, friendly and encouraging manner.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: GILBERT MOORER, BILL SHEPPARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnnie Newkirk Jr
This song was and still is a favorite of mine. I missed this musical era!
ava gd
Great dance arrangements and performance by this 60's group.
Ed Hensley
Great song going through your head while working on the roof!
Marvin Miller
The Esquires, from Milwaukee, WI. I remember them from about the 8th grade. They were the shit in dem' days. I occsasionally return here to youtube to hear them. -Freddy P. Knight 6/13/2008
64JBran
Amazing Chicago Soul!!!Β AΒ Bill Sheppard Production.
belisario guerra
Cover: Los Dovel's ( MΓ©xico ) - Del amor no escaparΓ‘s ( and get away ) ( 1968 ).
Paul Smith
A great song .
kirk moorer
This song is ok i remember hearing it as a baby
Jean Francis
Brilliant ππππ
carlton Jones
I used to have this song and Get on Up. You know,I really liked this group. I also had their only album,"Get on up and Get away".I understand this group was from Milwaukee,Wis. And get away came out around Nov. 67, because I was in the 9th grade. I wonder what happened to this group ?.