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
Falling In Love With You
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you don't want me to
Still I can't help myself
Any old way
I don't know my fate
From day to day
Who knows what time has for you
You may love me too
Falling in love with you
Falling in love with you
I noticed the other night
You held my hand oh so tight
Lord you looked in my eyes
Then we realised
Our desires we can lick
Still you just won't admit
Ones not as good as two
We're one of the lucky few
Falling in love with you
Mmm mmm mm
Maybe, I may be wrong
But I feel, your love is just as strong
Don't you try so hard
Not to see my face
Why keep us apart
Let nature take it's place
You don't know what you mean
One of my wildest dreams
Is falling love with you
Mmm mmm mmm
Falling in love with you
Can't you see I'm falling
Falling in love with you
Baby yeah
The Impressions' "Falling In Love With You" is a tale of unrequited love. The lyrics express the singer's feelings towards someone who doesn't feel the same way about them. The singer knows that the person doesn't want anything to do with them, but they can't help falling in love with them. The opening lines, "I'm falling in love with you, I know you don't want me to," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the song. Despite this, the singer still can't help themselves, singing, "Still I can't help myself, any old way."
As the song progresses, the singer tries to convince the object of their affection to give them a chance. They point out moments when it seemed like the other person might share their feelings, such as when they held hands tightly and looked into each other's eyes. These moments gave the singer hope, leading them to believe that the other person loved them back. The lyrics "Lord you looked in my eyes, then we realised, our desires we can lick," express this feeling of shared desire.
However, the other person is hesitant to admit their feelings. The singer pleads with them, asking them not to try so hard to avoid their advances. They believe that the other person's love is just as strong as theirs, but they are too scared to admit it. The chorus repeats throughout the song, highlighting the singer's helplessness in falling in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way.
Overall, "Falling In Love With You" is a heartbreaking tale of unrequited love, with the singer showing vulnerability and honesty in expressing their feelings. The song has a bluesy and soulful sound, highlighting the emotion behind the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm falling in love with you
I have developed deep feelings of love for you.
I know you don't want me to
I understand that you do not feel the same way about me.
Still I can't help myself
Despite knowing your feelings, I cannot control my own emotions.
Any old way
I am unsure of how to deal with this situation.
I don't know my fate
I am uncertain about what is going to happen between us.
From day to day
This uncertainty may change from day to day.
Who knows what time has for you
Anything can happen in the future.
You may love me too
There is a possibility that you could develop feelings for me.
I noticed the other night
On another occasion, I observed something.
You held my hand oh so tight
You held my hand very firmly.
Lord you looked in my eyes
You made eye contact with me.
Then we realised
Subsequently, we came to a realization.
Our desires we can lick
We can overcome our desires.
Still you just won't admit
You refuse to acknowledge your feelings for me.
Ones not as good as two
Being together is better than being apart.
We're one of the lucky few
We are fortunate to have found each other.
Maybe, I may be wrong
It is possible that I am incorrect.
But I feel, your love is just as strong
However, I believe that you also have strong feelings for me.
Don't you try so hard
Do not make such a great effort to resist your feelings.
Not to see my face
Avoiding contact with me will not change our situation.
Why keep us apart
There is no reason for us to be separated.
Let nature take it's place
We should allow our emotions to develop naturally.
You don't know what you mean
You may not fully understand your feelings towards me.
One of my wildest dreams
Being with you is one of my greatest desires.
Can't you see I'm falling
My feelings for you are getting stronger.
Falling in love with you
I am falling deeply in love with you.
Baby yeah
Emphasizes the singer's romantic feelings for the listener.
Contributed by Cole G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people