The group signed with United Artists Records in 1962 and by December 1st had entered the Billboard charts with "Tell Him," which made it all the way to number four Pop on January 26, 1963, and number five R&B. The song was a gender-switched cover of Gil Hamilton's 1962 single "Tell Her." Reid's no-nonsense, tough girl vocal, the group's vocal blend, and a sure fire Bert Burns composition made "Tell Him" a whole new dimension in girl group rock and roll.
In 1964, the Exciters switched to Roulette Records and recorded what some believe to be the first rock videos made by an American group--one each for “Tell Him” and “He’s Got The Power”–for Scopitone.
"Tell Him" is also a soundtrack from the movie "My Best Friend's Wedding."
Blowin' Up My Mind
The Exciters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is like a firecracker compared to you
It′s so right but it's so wrong
Told you when you come on strong
It′s blowing up my mind
Yes it is
It's blowing up my mind
(It′s blowing up) my mind, yeah
You said
Love′s supposed to be given wholeheartedly
And when you give wholeheartedly
It shakes me, wakes me, bakes me, takes me
It's blowing up my mind
Can′t you see, baby?
It's blowing up my mind, oh, yeah
(Now when you touch me, oh, what a boom)
Oh, what a thrill, baby
(When you′re near me I can't keep still)
No, no, no, I just can′t keep still
It's like a mountain climber
Took a ton of lead
And dropped it from the highest peak
Right on top of my head
Oh, baby, build the fire and throw in TNT
And what that fire does come close to what you do to me
I said it's blowing up my mind
Ooh, baby
(It′s blowing up)
Oh, listen to what I say
(They said you were and now I see)
They said you were and now I see
(That you are just too much for me)
Oh, you′re just too much for me
It's like placing a cannon underneath my chin
And then declaring war on me, just how can I win?
It′s like sitting' in an oven after turning on the gas
And then lighting up a cigarette, now how can I last?
I said it′s blowing up my mind
Oh, yeah, yeah
(It's blowing up)
If that′s not what it's doing, tell me, baby
(It's blowing up) my mind
Can′t you see?
(It′s blowing up)
Oh, listen to me now, babe
How can I ever leave you after what you put me through?
Oh, without your good lovin' I just don′t know what I'd do
It′s almost like eating beans by the pound
Then wrapping up in adhesive tape from the waist down
I said it's blowing up my mind
Oh, listen now
(It′s blowing up)
Yeah, yeah
I said it's blowing up my mind (it's blowing up)
Yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(It′s blowing up)
Yeah
It′s blowing up my mind
In The Exciters' hit song "Blowin' Up My Mind," the singer compares the excitement and intensity of falling in love to dynamite and nitroglycerin. The lyrics describe how the overwhelming feelings of being in love are both right and wrong, resulting in a mind-blowing experience that the singer can’t resist. The song describes the physical sensations that love can bring, "shaking," "waking," "baking," and "taking" her in a way that’s almost explosive. She compares the sensation to feeling like she's been hit with a ton of lead or sitting in an oven with the gas on - it's intense but she can't help but submit to it. By the end of the song, the singer can't imagine ever leaving her lover, as the experience of love they have together is like no other.
The song itself was written by Van McCoy, who also wrote the hit song "The Hustle." It was released in 1969 and became a hit on both the R&B and pop charts. The Exciters were a female vocal group from New York, originally formed in 1961, and were known for their harmonious sound and soulful lyrics. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus made it a favorite on dancefloors.
Line by Line Meaning
Dynamite and nitroglycerin
You are more explosive and powerful than even the most dangerous explosives
Is like a firecracker compared to you
Other things that are normally considered explosive are nothing compared to you
It's so right but it's so wrong
Your love feels amazing but it's also overwhelming and potentially dangerous
Told you when you come on strong
I warned you that your intensity was too much for me
It's blowing up my mind
Your love is making me crazy and overwhelming me
Yes it is
I can't deny the power of your love
You said
You told me that
Love's supposed to be given wholeheartedly
True love is supposed to be given with complete and total commitment
And when you give wholeheartedly
When you truly love someone without reservation
It shakes me, wakes me, bakes me, takes me
It overwhelms me in every way and consumes me completely
(Now when you touch me, oh, what a boom)
Every time you touch me it's like an explosion of pleasure
Oh, what a thrill, baby
Being with you is thrilling and exhilarating
(When you're near me I can't keep still)
I can't control my physical and emotional response to you
It's like a mountain climber
Your love is like a danger-filled climb up a mountain
Took a ton of lead
And then adding even more danger to the situation
And dropped it from the highest peak
By dropping it from the highest point
Right on top of my head
You're overwhelming me with the intensity of your love
Oh, baby, build the fire and throw in TNT
Your love is like setting off an explosive firecracker
And what that fire does come close to what you do to me
And even that explosive fire doesn't compare to the intensity of your love
(They said you were and now I see)
People warned me about how intense you were and now I understand
(That you are just too much for me)
You are overwhelming and consuming me in every way
It's like placing a cannon underneath my chin
Your love feels like a weapon pointed directly at me
And then declaring war on me, just how can I win?
And then attacking me with all the force of a battle - how can I possibly emerge victorious?
It's like sitting' in an oven after turning on the gas
Being near you feels like putting myself directly in danger
And then lighting up a cigarette, now how can I last?
And making things even worse for myself - how can I survive this?
How can I ever leave you after what you put me through?
I'm not sure how I can ever walk away from you after experiencing the intensity of your love
Oh, without your good lovin' I just don't know what I'd do
Without you, I would be lost and directionless
It's almost like eating beans by the pound
Your love is like an overwhelming amount of food
Then wrapping up in adhesive tape from the waist down
And being completely sealed in and consumed by that amount of love
Oh, listen now
Pay attention to what I'm saying
If that's not what it's doing, tell me, baby
If I'm wrong about your love, please correct me
Can't you see?
Can't you understand how you're affecting me?
Yeah
Yes
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yes, without a doubt
Writer(s): Herbert Louis Rooney, Larry Banks
Contributed by Alexander E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frank Brammah
70 in April, this still gets me moving. Brilliant!
Jason Darrell
A very special toon, one of the first I ever owned on vinyl (albeit on a compilation album) when I first got into #NorthernSoul way back in '83. Jesus, that's 35 years ago. Still as fresh now as then; superlatives are not enough. #KTF
Stephen Deroski
This track really moves!
The Mrs. Bill Larsens Parliament Songs
Wow! This song is Blowing Up MY Mind! I guess I didn't even realize that The Exciters were still together in 1969. Fantastic!
steven stewardson
Who's still listening to this Bobby dazzler of a soul sound then you've got great taste's in quality music ENJOY PEEP'S 🕺💃🎼🎹🎼
Cornedbeefkeith
Listening in the bath, getting ready for a Northern afternoon in Barnsley 🕺🎶
steven stewardson
@Cornedbeefkeith thanks for the kind words excellent slice of northern remembered Mr Ms & the palais Nottingham late 70's the whole place went wild glad you enjoy this jewel ✊🏻
straw man
@steven stewardson used to love Nottingham palais great nights,
steven stewardson
Hi straw man great hearing from you they were great times , keep in touch cheers bud 💯✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻
Susan brooke
This makes me cry with joy. Its perfect for me. The words.