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
For Your Precious Love
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than any love could ever be.
For when I wanted you,
I was so lonely and blue,
For That's what love will do
And darling, I'm so surprised,
Oh, when I first realized
That you were fooling me.
And darling, they say that our love won't grow.
But I just want to tell them they don't know.
For as long as you're in love with me,
Our love will grow wider,
Deeper than any sea.
And of all the things that I want,
In this whole wide world, is
Just for you to say that you'll be my girl.
Wanting you, I'm so lonely and blue.
That's what love will do.
The Impressions's song "For Your Precious Love" is a classic soul ballad about the power of love and the lengths that one will go to hold onto it. The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer declares that his partner's love means more to him than any other love he has ever known. The lyrics continue on to express the singer's longing and loneliness, highlighting the pain that comes with wanting someone who may not reciprocate those feelings. However, despite the doubts of others who say that their love will not last, the singer remains steadfast in his devotion, assuring his partner that as long as they are in love, their bond will only grow stronger.
The repetition of the line "That's what love will do" emphasizes the theme of the song, that love can both lift us up and bring us down. The lyrics strike a chord with anyone who has experienced the highs and lows of being in love, and the longing and vulnerability of the singer's voice only further amplifies the emotions of the song. Overall, "For Your Precious Love" is a timeless declaration of love that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Your precious love means more to me
Your love is of immense value to me
Than any love could ever be.
It surpasses any other form of love
For when I wanted you,
When I desired your love
I was so lonely and blue,
I was unhappy and felt isolated
For That's what love will do
This is the impact that love can have on one's emotions
And darling, I'm so surprised,
I'm amazed that you were deceiving me
Oh, when I first realized
The moment I discovered
That you were fooling me.
That you were tricking me
And darling, they say that our love won't grow.
Some people believe our love is not sustainable
But I just want to tell them they don't know.
I am confident they are wrong
For as long as you're in love with me,
Our love will thrive if your love for me remains
Our love will grow wider,
Our love will become broader
Deeper than any sea.
Our love will become more profound than any ocean
And of all the things that I want,
Out of anything I desire
In this whole wide world, is
Above everything else
Just for you to say that you'll be my girl.
For you to agree to be in a committed relationship with me
Wanting you, I'm so lonely and blue.
I feel unfulfilled and dejected without your love
That's what love will do.
How love affects one's emotions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyj1709
One of the best all time do-wop songs ever! It brings back so many memories of slow dancing in high school. Wow!
@katherinegates1559
✌️🥰 Yes...Me too!! Those were the days of so much love in our hearts for one another... 💞 Wonderful times and the best era growing up as a young teenage.💞
@littiepowell1075
Love 💕 you gays
@apriljones2491
If only I could have experienced that, that era. I was born in the 80's 😢
@apriljones2491
Absolutely beautiful song
@conniewilliams2587
This song is still pretty this kind of music will never die
@williammccrary1881
Do-wop lives forever!
@cjtoolit4112
Anyone in 2023 listening to this ? Or just me
@anos60
🇧🇷 Eu ouvindo em 2023.
@marksheiman1538
On the 4th of July.