1… Read Full Bio ↴Musical groups in three genres have shared the name The Four Aces.
1. The Aces, initially known as "The Four Aces" were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker, but who also recorded without him. The initial line-up of the Aces was Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. The producer employed the group as backing singers for Dekker, recording many hits with him including "The King of Ska" (where they were credited as His Cherry Pies), "Get Up Adinah" (on which they were credited as the Four Aces"), huge hits such as "007 (Shanty Town)" and "Israelites", and the winner of the 1968 Festival Song Contest, "Music Like Dirt". By 1967 the only remaining original member was Barry Howard, along with Winston Samuels. Dekker's international success led to overseas tours, but the Aces were not taken along, Samuels refusing to fly, stating "Rastas did not fly on iron birds", and Barry Howard having already decided to emigrate to the United States. Instead they stayed in Jamaica and recorded without Dekker. They had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette", and by 1971 the line-up had again changed, with Barry now rejoined by Carl Howard. A string of hits followed with "Reggae Motion", "Take a Look", "Oh I Miss You", Call Me Number One", "Be My Baby", and "Sad Sad Song", and they had a near hit in the pop charts in 1973 with "Working on it Night and Day". Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street".
2. An American singing quartet which was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. The group is well-known for a plethora of hits, including: "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", " Three Coins in the Fountain", "Stranger in Paradise", "Shangri-La", "Perfidia". All of the group's major hits were first performed by the original four members: Al Alberts (originally Albertini), Dave Mahoney, Lou Silvestri, and Rosario "Sod" Vaccaro. Although all were from Chester, Pennsylvania, Alberts and Mahoney actually met in the Navy. They formed a duo, with Alberts singing and Mahoney playing behind him. Later adding Vaccaro on trumpet and Silvestri on drums, the group played in the Philadelphia area. When they could not find a label which would release their record, "(It's No) Sin," Alberts started his own label, Victoria Records. "(It's No) Sin" sold a million copies! DECCA Records soon signed the group, billing them as The Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts. In 1956, Alberts left The Four Aces to try to make it as a soloist, but never made the charts. He was replaced as lead singer by Fred Diodati, another Philadelphia product. Over the years, as the remaining original members left, Diodati chose new singers to replace them. The right to "The Four Aces" name eventually landed in court. In 1975, Diodati was awarded the right to the name and continued to tour under it. The founding members, who again wanted to tour, were allowed to use the name, "The Original Four Aces, Featuring Al Alberts." The latter group retired in 1987. The Four Aces are still touring. (A link to their appearances is listed below.)
3. Cajun fiddler Leo Soileau was the second Cajun musician to record his works. This occurred in the late 1930s. The Four Aces was the name of his second string band (the first had been The Rhythm Boys). Soileau reitred from music in the 1940s with the demise of the string band sound.
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
The Four Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the April rose that only grows in the early Spring
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living
The golden crown that makes a man a king
Once on a high and windy hill, In the morning mist
Two lovers kissed and the world stood still
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing
Once on a high and windy hill, In the morning mist
Two lovers kissed and the world stood still
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing
Yes, true love's a many splendored thing
The song "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" by The Four Aces (Vocals) is a beautiful ode to love and its transformative powers. The lyrics begin by describing love as a "many splendored thing," which is an evocative and poetic way of expressing the many facets and dimensions of love. Love is compared to an April rose, which only grows in the early spring, highlighting the fleeting and delicate nature of love. The lyrics go on to suggest that love is nature's way of giving us a reason to be living, reinforcing the idea that love is essential to the human experience. The idea that love can make a man a king suggests that love is transformative and has the power to elevate us and bring out our best selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is a many splendored thing
Love is a beautiful and multi-faceted emotion that brings joy and purpose to life
It's the April rose that only grows in the early Spring
Love is like a rare and beautiful flower that blooms only for a short time, making it precious and cherished
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living
Love is a fundamental aspect of human existence, providing meaning and motivation for our actions
The golden crown that makes a man a king
Love is the ultimate reward and prize, elevating individuals to the highest level of happiness and fulfillment
Once on a high and windy hill, In the morning mist
The song describes a romantic scene, emphasizing the power and beauty of love
Two lovers kissed and the world stood still
The intensity of their love was so great that it made everything around them seem to stop and take notice
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing
The physical touch of the one they love has the power to bring joy and excitement to their entire being
Yes, true love's a many splendored thing
The beauty and complexity of true love is a recurring theme in the song, highlighting its importance and significance in our lives
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sammy Fain, Paul Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mahonedb1
I'm the grandson of Dave Mahoney, one of the Original Four Aces. I couldn't be prouder of all the comments I read. The Original Four Aces were a wonderful group, with near perfect harmonies. Youtube has been a godsend, allowing me to relive some dear memories of my younger years accompanying them on concert tours to Coney Island, Philadelphia, and the like. Thank you!
@doughoward6401
I danced to this song with many a pretty girl !!
@tracychow8797
Dear David
Proud for your grandfather whose song keep so many memories for us.
Greetings from Hong Kong
@ryanduffy4066
David, My grandfather was Louis Silvestri who was one of the original members. I can remember growing up and him always singing his songs even up until his death. It exposed me to some of the best music at a young age and even at 29 now I love the melody's of the 50's. We were truly blessed to have them.
@scottfowler7680
This song brings back so many precious memories of my mother
@gustavomorales6424
Congratulations my G
@carolanndyergadenne5041
One of my favorites my elder sister bought all their wonderful records so i listened and loved everyone of them, my sister is 86 and I am 76, great memories
@barbarameyer8134
I am 62 years old. And I love this. This is music. Not that crap we hear today.
@richmifflin3864
I’am 75 and I love this song . These singer we have now can’t hold a candle to singers from the 50 and 60s
@frankdeturse5180
I am 81 and songs will never be the same as the 1940's 50's and 60's - music today is that what they call - bollerdash