Jacob Carey (Jake) and Ezekial Carey (Zeke), bass and 2nd tenor, respectively, formed the group in Chicago, Illinois, after meeting cousins baritone Paul Wilson and first tenor John E. "Johnny" Carter at a Hebrew Israelite congregation. Earl Lewis (not the Channels lead) soon joined, and after a series of name changes, (The Swallows, El Flamingos, The Five Flamingos), wound up being known as The Flamingos. Sollie McElroy soon replaced Lewis (who joined The Five Echoes). The Flamingos' first single (for Chance Records), "If I Can't Have You", was a moderate local success, as was the follow-up "That's My Desire", but it was Johnny Carter's composition of "Golden Teardrops," with its complex vocal harmonies and Carter's soaring falsetto, that cemented their reputation as a top regional act of the day.
The Flamingos left Chance Records sometime after their December 1953 session and signed with DJ Al Benson's Parrot Records. Sollie McElroy was on their first Parrot session, but left the group in December 1954, to be replaced by tenor Nate Nelson (who was on their second Parrot session; he's lead on "I'm Yours," released in January 1955). In early 1955, the Flamingos signed with Chess Records, to record for their Checker Records subsidiary. At Chess/Checker, the Flamingos achieved their first national chart hit with "I'll Be Home", which went to #5 on Billboard's R&B chart (Pat Boone's cover version, complete with incorrect lyrics, was a hit on the pop charts).[citation needed] The group also had moderate success for the label with other chestnuts like "A Kiss From Your Lips," "The Vow," and "Would I Be Crying". The Flamingos also appeared in the 1956 Alan Freed movie, Rock, Rock Rock. Both Zeke Carey and Carter were drafted that year (Carter was drafted in September).
Nate Nelson, Jake Carey, and Paul Wilson continued the group with new member Tommy Hunt (added in October 1956). Another new member, tenor/lead, guitarist, and arranger Terry "Buzzy" Johnson, joined in late December of that year. This group (Nate Nelson, Tommy Hunt, Terry Johnson, Paul Wilson, and Jake Carey) began recording for Decca Records in April 1957. Their most notable single was Johnson's arrangement of "The Ladder of Love", but legal entanglements between Checker and Nate Nelson ruined any chance of commercial success.[citation needed] Zeke Carey returned to the Flamingos in 1958, making the group a sextet. (When Johnny Carter was discharged from the service, he joined The Dells, performing with them for almost 50 years until his death in 2009.)
Zeke and Jake Carey were not blood-related, but were considered cousins, because of Zeke being adopted by Jake's aunt and uncle.
That year, the Flamingos began recording for George Goldner's End Records in New York City, where they had several national hits. Almost immediately, the group had their first pop chart hit with "Lovers Never Say Goodbye", written by Terry Johnson, who shared lead chores on the song with Paul Wilson. The formula was a winner as Terry and Paul also led three of the 12 songs selected for their first album Flamingo Serenade - George Gershwin's "Love Walked In", "But Not For Me" and "Time Was". The Flamingos would have their biggest seller in 1959 with another old standard from that LP, on which Nate Nelson handled lead chores. "I Only Have Eyes for You" (written in 1934 by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin for the film Dames) became their biggest seller, and has been featured in dozens of movies and TV shows. A long series of hits followed, including the Johnson-penned "Mio Amore", Doc Pomus' composition "Your Other Love", "Nobody Loves Me Like You" (written for the group by Sam Cooke), and "I Was Such a Fool". LP cuts "Love Walked In" and "Time Was" were also issued as singles.[citation needed] That same year, they appeared in the Alan Freed movie, Go, Johnny, Go, singing a frenetic version of "Jump Children" (originally recorded for Chance Records in the early days). The group became known almost as much for their stage show and choreography as for their harmonies. Groups including The Temptations and The Tavares would later credit the group as major influences.
The group began to come apart at the turn of the decade. Tommy Hunt left for a solo career in 1960. Nate Nelson and Terry Johnson split to form the "Modern Flamingos" in 1961, and went on to record as The Starglows on Atco Records in 1963. (The Modern Flamingos name was used later; the group would include members of the defunct Del-Knights in the late 1960s). New members were brought in, making the group Zeke Carey (tenor), Jake Carey (bass), Paul Wilson (baritone), Billy Clarke[disambiguation needed] (tenor), Eddie Williams (tenor), Alan Fontaine (guitar), and Julien Vaught (saxophone). Also Johnny Carter left in 1961 to join The Dells. Clarke and Williams took duties on most new lead vocals.
A sixth vocalist, Doug McClure, was added in 1962. Shortly afterwards, Clarke and Williams left the group. Founding member Paul Wilson left in 1964, new member Sidney Hall joined in 1966, and Jacob Carey's son J.C. Carey joined in 1969. They recorded several uptempo songs through the 1960s, peaking at #26 in the UK Singles Chart with "The Boogaloo Party". Around this time, the Flamingos formed their own label, Ronze, and produced many of their own recordings.
The group continued recording into the 1970s. A new album was released in 1972 on Ronze, entitled The Flamingos Today. By this time, the group was the Careys, McClure, Fontaine, the returning Billy Clarke, and former Limelite Clarence Bassett, Jr.[8][9] New member Frank "Mingo" Ayers joined soon after. More mildly successful recordings came in this decade, including the uptempo "Heavy Hips", and "Buffalo Soldier".
By 1980 the group was Jake Carey, Zeke Carey, Frank Ayers, and Jerome Wilson. Ayers left around this time, joining the Del Vikings. In 1984, two new members joined: Bennie Cherry and Archie Satterfield. In 1988, the group was featured at the 1988 Grammy Awards.
By the early 1990s, the group was the Careys, Satterfield, Ron Reace, and Kenny Davis. Later, it was the Careys, Reace, and King Raymond Green. Jake Carey died in 1997. The group recorded a new album, Unspoken Emotions, under the Ronze label in 1999. It featuring re-recordings of "Ain't Nothing But A Party" and "I'll Be Home", led by Zeke Carey. The group appeared on the PBS television special Doo Wop 50 that same year. The lineup was Zeke Carey, J.C. Carey, Ron Reace, King Raymond Green, and Larry Jordan. Zeke Carey died in 2001. King Raymond Green and Ron Reace left around that time and were replaced by Earnest "Just Mike" Gilbert and former Dynamic Superior George Spann. James Faison entered shortly thereafter. Tommy Hunt has flown in from England (where he has lived since 1970) to perform with this group twice since 2001.
The group split up in late 2005 due to money disputes. Spann, Jordan, Gilbert, and Faison grouped together to reform Spann's old group, The Dynamic Superiors. Carey brought in new members, and toured with Tommy Hunt starting in April 2007.
Terry Johnson is the owner of "The Flamingos" federal trademark and leads the current incarnation of the group. The current lineup is Johnson, Starling Newsome, Stan Prinston and musical director Theresa Trigg. The Flamingos featuring Terry Johnson appeared on two PBS specials: Rock and Roll at Fifty (in which they were the only group to have more than two songs featured) and Doo Wop Cavalcade: The Definitive Anthology. In 2013, The Flamingos released the Diamond Anniversary Tour CD. They continue to perform in concerts across the country.
J.C. Carey Jr., Terry Johnson, Tommy Hunt, and descendants of Nate Nelson and Paul Wilson, sued PepsiCo for having used "I Only Have Eyes For You" in a 1998 television commercial, allegedly without having consulted the group. The group was awarded $250,000.
The Flamingos received the Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award in 1996 (where Terry Johnson, Jake Carey, Zeke Carey, Tommy Hunt and Johnny Carter performed) and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame in 2004. The group that performed at the Rock Hall ceremony included Terry Johnson on lead, Tommy Hunt and Johnny Carter. In 2003, The Flamingos recording of "I Only Have Eyes For You" (co-written by Walle (Walter) Dillard) was inducted into the Grammy Award Hall of Fame.
If I Can't Have You
The Flamingos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should just stop counting days
On the subject of the future
Wouldn't it be nice to leave it open-ended
And pretend it could go either way?
If I could have you back again
I'd think about it once or twice, I guess
If I could have you back
On the other hand it would be
Better to have a life
Without the constant indecision over
If I could have you back, if I could have you back
On the topic of the time we spent together
I can't say I never wondered
If you ever think about these days
If I could have you back again
I'd think about it once or twice, I guess
If I could have you back
I'd reconsider, maybe I'd say, yes
On the other hand it would be
Better to have a life
Without the constant indecision over
If I could have you back
It's game over, you've lost this round
And now I get to turn you down
Thanks for all the lessons learned
I'm taking in what I have heard
Practice makes perfect
If I could have you back again
I'd think about it once or twice, I guess
If I could have you back
I'd reconsider, maybe I'd say, yes
On the other hand it would be
Better to have a life
Without the constant indecision
If I could have you back again
I'd think about it once or twice, I guess
If I could have you back
I'd reconsider, maybe I'd say yes
On the other hand it would be
Better to have a life
Without the constant indecision over
If I could have you back, if I could have you back
I still can't believe it, I can't see it
I should just stop counting days
The Flamingos's "If I Can't Have You" is a song about regret and indecision in a past relationship. The lyrics express the desire to have a former partner back, yet at the same time the uncertainty and fear of making the wrong choice. The singer is grappling with the idea of whether it's better to have a life without their former partner or to take the risk of possibly rekindling the relationship.
The opening verse shows the singer coming to terms with the end of the relationship and the battle between wanting to move on and longing for their old flame. The lyric "I should just stop counting days" shows that the singer may have been waiting or hoping for a reconciliation which may never come. The chorus expresses the confusion and conflict within the singer's mind. The singer admits that if given the chance to have their partner back, they would hesitate and consider whether it's truly what they want.
The second verse is reflective and shows that the singer hasn't fully moved on. The lyrics suggest that the two shared an intimate connection, and the singer wonders if their former partner thinks about those moments as well. But despite these thoughts and feelings, the singer still has doubts about whether the relationship is worth pursuing once again. The bridge seems to be a resolution of sorts - the singer acknowledges that the relationship is over and that they have learned valuable lessons from it. However, the final line of the song, "I should just stop counting days," shows that there is still a sense of longing and uncertainty in the singer's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I still can't believe it, I can't see it
I am in disbelief about what has happened and cannot comprehend it
I should just stop counting days
I should stop obsessing over the past and focus on the present
On the subject of the future
When it comes to thinking about what's to come
Wouldn't it be nice to leave it open-ended
It would be pleasant to not have a definite plan and leave possibilities open
And pretend it could go either way?
To imagine that the situation could have a positive or negative outcome
If I could have you back again
If I could have a second chance with you
I'd think about it once or twice, I guess
I would consider the possibility of being with you again briefly
I'd reconsider, maybe I'd say, yes
I would think again and possibly agree to try again
On the other hand it would be
Looking at things from a different perspective
Better to have a life
It's best to live a life
Without the constant indecision over
Without the constant questioning and hesitation about
If I could have you back
If I could have another chance with you
On the topic of the time we spent together
When thinking about the period we spent together
I can't say I never wondered
I have wondered
If you ever think about these days
If you ever reflect on the moments we shared
It's game over, you've lost this round
The game of love is finished, and you've failed
And now I get to turn you down
And now I have the opportunity to reject you
Thanks for all the lessons learned
Thank you for teaching me valuable lessons
I'm taking in what I have heard
I am absorbing and processing what I have learned
Practice makes perfect
Repetition and hard work can lead to mastery
Writer(s): C. Gonzales
Contributed by Caden R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
azdoowop
WOW - 69 years ago from 1953 and it still rocks my soul.
acrucker
Another Masterpiece for future generations to enjoy! Thank you, Flamingos!
Dee McC
I can listen to this group EVERY day (in fact, when I get into my car, I automatically flip to their CD) thanks for posting.
Steve
What? You don't have a '53 Buick to listen in? ;) Thx for visiting my channel.
Dee McC
lol, nope sold it
gary sosenko
One of my favorite groups.. real classy... always thought Golden Teardrops was their first ( but just found out it was their 3rd release)
bigarnie41
One of the best ever R&B leads ever! The Great Sollie McElory I could listen to this all day
215barry
This was The Flamingos first record for Chance out of Chicago. The leads on this are Solly McElroy and Johnny Carter from March 1953. Also in the group at this time Jake and Zeke Carey and Judah Byrd.
Ruben Quiroz
THIS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE OF THE FLAMINGOS. THANK YOU FOR POSTING.
nenazpuppy
This is a bad ass jam 🎵
Love it ❤ ❤
Great post again Steve 👍