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."
It's Love That Really Counts
The Exciters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Some other guy may give me diamonds and pearls
The kind of things that mean so much to some girls
But in the long run, baby, it's love that really counts
Believe me, it's love that really counts
And baby, after loving you
Who cares if you don't show me Paris or Rome?
As long as you are here, I'm happy at home
'Cause in the long run, baby, it's love that really counts
Believe me, it's love that really counts
When other loves have come and gone
This love of ours will soon go on and on
So take me in your arms, and darling
Kiss me like only you know how to do
It's love that really counts
Love that really counts
I'm tellin' you
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo ...
The Exciters' song "It's Love That Really Counts" is a soulful ballad about the power of love. The song's lyrics express that material possessions cannot replace the significance of true love. The singer acknowledges that other men may offer her expensive gifts such as diamonds and pearls; however, these things are not a substitute for genuine love. She believes that in the long-term, the most important thing in a relationship is love. The chorus emphasizes this idea with the repeated phrase, "It's love that really counts." The singer also conveys that she does not need extravagant travels or experiences to be happy as long as she has her partner's love. At the end of the song, she invites her lover to hold her and kiss her because she knows that their love is what truly matters.
The song's message resonated strongly with audiences at the time of its release, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. Several African American artists, including The Exciters, used music as a form of social commentary during this period, with many songs addressing themes of love and unity. "It's Love That Really Counts" was a modest commercial success in the 1960s, reaching number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its timeless appeal has led to several covers and samples in modern music, making it a classic song to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Some other guy may give me diamonds and pearls
Other men might give me material things like diamonds and pearls
The kind of things that mean so much to some girls
Those things might matter a lot to some women
But in the long run, baby, it's love that really counts
However, in the end, love is what really matters
Believe me, it's love that really counts
Trust me when I say that love is what counts the most
And baby, after loving you
My dear, after being in love with you
I'm here to say that no one else will do
I am here to say that nobody else will ever suffice
Who cares if you don't show me Paris or Rome?
What does it matter if you don't take me to Paris or Rome?
As long as you are here, I'm happy at home
As long as I am with you, I am content at home
'Cause in the long run, baby, it's love that really counts
Because ultimately, my dear, it is love that truly counts
When other loves have come and gone
When other romances have come and gone
This love of ours will soon go on and on
Our love will endure and continue
So take me in your arms, and darling
Hold me in your arms, my darling
Kiss me like only you know how to do
Kiss me in the way that only you can
It's love that really counts
Love is the only thing that truly matters
Love that really counts
It's the only kind of love that really matters
I'm tellin' you
I am saying this to you
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Repeating refrain
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo ...
Repeating refrain
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.