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
Dedicate My Song To You
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
And tell of how my love got it's start
I wanna sing melodies pure and true
And dedicate my song to you
I wanna sing about the feeling you give
And how our love I hope forever lives
I wanna sing certain things pure and true
Mustn't forget to tell of the sunshine you brought
And the many lessons we've been taught
I never thought such a love could really be
That's why I'm singing this song for you and me
I wanna sing the way I feel in my soul
And tell of love the way it's never been told
I wanna sing melodies pure and true
And dedicate my song to you, mm mm yeah
Dedicate my song to you
I wanna dedicate my song to you
Because I love you dedicate my song to you
I wanna dedicate my song
The Impressions' "Dedicate My Song To You" is a love song that expresses the singer's desire to sing about the love in his heart, the feeling that his partner gives him, and the lessons that they have learned together. The singer wants to dedicate his song to his lover and is determined to make it meaningful and true by singing about the purity of their love. The song's opening lines, "I wanna sing about the love in my heart, And tell of how my love got it's start" set the tone and express the deep emotions that the singer feels. He wants to sing from the heart and tell the story of how his love began, which is a testament to the strength of their love.
The singer wants to acknowledge the positive impact that his lover has had on his life, and he sings, "Mustn't forget to tell of the sunshine you brought And the many lessons we've been taught." Here, the singer is expressing his gratitude for the positivity that his lover has brought into his life and the lessons that they have learned together. The song's melody is soft and soulful, which perfectly complements the romantic and meaningful lyrics. In the end, the singer is declaring his love and dedication to his partner by singing, "Dedicate my song to you, I wanna dedicate my song to you, Because I love you dedicate my song to you, I wanna dedicate my song."
Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people