The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.
Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.
Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)
Discography
Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire
Can't Satisfy
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
Oooh I found out in time what was on your mind
You never planned to stay, didn't love me anyway
One of the chosen few, did what you told me to
All you ever did was lie, I can't satisfy
You seem so complete, so petite and sweet
But never do I know just which way you're gonna go
Sometimes I wonder why, why do you make me cry
Why do the love inside swallow up all of my pride
But I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
No, no, no, no, no, I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
(musical interlude)
You seem so complete, so petit and sweet
But never do I know just which way you're gonna go
Sometimes I wonder why, why do you make me cry
Why does the love inside swallow up all of my pride
When I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy, I can't, no, no, no
I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
One of the chosen few, did what you told me to
All you ever did was lie, I can't satisfy
Seems I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
No no no I can't satisfy your love, no I can't satisfy
The Impressions' song "Can't Satisfy" is a classic soul song that speaks to the themes of heartbreak and rejection. The lyrics repeat the phrase "I can't satisfy your love" throughout the song, expressing the singer's frustration with their inability to meet their partner's needs in their relationship. This feeling of inadequacy builds throughout the verses, with lines like "All you ever did was lie" emphasizing the lack of trust in the relationship. The singer also expresses confusion over their partner's actions, wondering why they make them cry and why love always seems to swallow up their pride. Ultimately, the song captures the emotional turmoil of a relationship that is falling apart, with both partners unable to find satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
I acknowledge that I am unable to meet your love’s requirements and fulfill them.
Seems I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
It appears that I’m unable to satisfy your love, and I admit that I can't.
Oooh I found out in time what was on your mind
I discovered in good time what you were thinking about, your true intentions.
You never planned to stay, didn't love me anyway
You didn’t intend to stick around or commit to me because you didn't love me in the first place.
One of the chosen few, did what you told me to
As one of the select people you chose to spend your time with, I did what you instructed me to do or followed your lead.
All you ever did was lie, I can't satisfy
Deceit was what you did most of the time, and as a result, I can't fulfill or satisfy your needs.
You seem so complete, so petite and sweet
You come across as confident, small in size, and charming.
But never do I know just which way you're gonna go
I am often unsure of the direction you will take regarding our relationship.
Sometimes I wonder why, why do you make me cry
Sometimes I question why you bring me to tears, the reason for it.
Why does the love inside swallow up all of my pride
I don't understand why the affection I have for you can overpower and wipe out all of my self-esteem.
No, no, no, no, no, I can't satisfy your love, I can't satisfy
I am emphasizing my limitation when it comes to fulfilling your love, repeating that I can't satisfy.
One of the chosen few, did what you told me to
As one of the select people you chose to spend your time with, I did what you instructed me to do or followed your lead.
All you ever did was lie, I can't satisfy
Deceit was what you did most of the time, and as a result, I can't fulfill or satisfy your needs.
No no no, I can't satisfy your love, no I can't satisfy
I am emphasizing my limitation when it comes to fulfilling your love, repeating that I can't satisfy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, SYLVIA MOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jenny talia
can't help singing ' this old heart of mine ' to it !
Jim Hillier
@Chris Lalor I think they settled out of court. On the single version I have, it has Curtis as writer, on the Best of lp released a bit later, it has the same but with Jobete as the publisher. More recently everyone comes clean and HDH take the credits
Chris Lalor
They actually got taken to court by Berry Gordy for plagiarism.
elvingtonred
Nice demo
steve hewitt
brilliant.
Graham D
Surely United Artists records had a uk division at the time of release? I'm a bit puzzleed why it was put out on Stateside.
Terry Rollo
!!!!
ALAIN DEWAELE
thank brico