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 Work No Longer
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah ah ah ah
I just can't work no longer
I've got to see my woman right now
And we ain't gettin' any younger
I've got to get to her love somehow
The Sun come and shine now
Lord I ain't complainin'
I've done wrong and I'm serving my time, but now
If there's any good in me
I'll bring it out so that you might see
That I'm just another lonely little man that wants ta
Stop myself and all over begin, and now
I just can't work no longer
I've got to see my woman right now
And we ain't gettin' any younger
I've got to get to her love somehow
This woman on the other side
She's my joy and all of my pride
Though I've hurt her so constantly
Still my woman loves and has faith in me
But how long can a good thing last
Though I'm proud never to hurt her in the past
Will she be there waitin' for me
Five long years when I will be free
And I just can't work no longer
I've got to see my woman right now
And we ain't gettin' any younger
I've got to get to her love somehow
Ah, ah, ah, ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
The Impressions' "Can't Work No Longer" is a song about a man who has been working hard for a long time and is now tired and weary. He just wants to go see his woman, who is waiting for him on the other side. The lyrics revolve around the theme of love, dedication, and patience. The man knows he has done wrong in the past and is serving his time for it, but he still longs for his woman and wants to make things right.
The song starts with a few introductions of the phrase "Ah, ah, ah, ah ah ah" that are repeated 7 times which builds up a sense of anticipation for the listener. The use of repetition is continued throughout the song with the phrase "I just can't work no longer" being repeated multiple times to emphasize the man's exhaustion and desire to see his woman. The lyrics take the audience into the man's world and his feelings for his woman, which is why the song is considered to be one of The Impressions' most emotional pieces.
The lyrics talk about the woman being the man's joy and pride, despite how he might have hurt her in the past. She still loves him and has faith in him. However, the man is unsure if she will still be waiting for him in five long years when he is free. The song ends with the same "Ah, ah, ah, ah ah ah" followed by the man repeating the phrase "I just can't work no longer" two more times.
Line by Line Meaning
I just can't work no longer
I am unable to continue working as I feel the strong urge to meet my woman
I've got to see my woman right now
I have an immediate need to see my woman and nothing else matters
And we ain't gettin' any younger
Time is moving on fast and we can't afford to waste anymore time
I've got to get to her love somehow
I must find a way to reach her and be with her and experience her love
When clouds come it's rainin'
When things go bad, they go really bad
The Sun come and shine now
The good times are temporary
Lord I ain't complainin'
I accept my current situation and I am not complaining
I've done wrong and I'm serving my time, but now
I have made mistakes and I am now paying for them
If there's any good in me
If I have any redeeming qualities at all
I'll bring it out so that you might see
I will showcase my good qualities so that others can see them
That I'm just another lonely little man that wants ta
I am just a lonely person who desires to
Stop myself and all over begin, and now
Start a new chapter in my life and leave the past behind
This woman on the other side
The woman I love who is currently away from me
She's my joy and all of my pride
My woman is the source of my happiness and I am proud to have her
Though I've hurt her so constantly
Even though I have hurt her multiple times in the past
Still my woman loves and has faith in me
My woman still loves me and believes in me despite my past mistakes
But how long can a good thing last
I wonder how long our relationship can sustain under current circumstances
Though I'm proud never to hurt her in the past
Although I have never intended to hurt her before
Will she be there waitin' for me
Will she still be there waiting for me when I am finally free
Five long years when I will be free
I will be released from my duties after spending five long years in prison
Contributed by Daniel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people