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
Get Up And Move
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And misery's payin' it's dues
You can't get ahead layin' in bed
Get up and put on your shoes, baby
Get up and move
Get up and move
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Get up and move
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Now how do I win my baby
On a train she's leavin' today
I admit I was wrong
She'll be gone much too long
And how much I need her to stay
What do I do
Get up and move
Get up and move
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Get up and move
Get up and move
Get up and move 'fore sundown, sundown
Now I ain't got no money
Last week I spent my last dime
I'm so broke and that ain't no joke
And I'm 'bout to go out of my mind
What do I do
Get up and move
Get up and move
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Get up and move
Get up and move
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Get up and move
Get up and move
Get up and move 'fore sundown
The Impressions's song "Get Up And Move" is an upbeat and motivational tune that encourages its listeners to take action and move forward in their lives. The lyrics suggest that when faced with problems or challenges, it's important to take action and not let them hold you back. The first verse advises that when you're feeling down and struggling, get up, put on your shoes and start moving. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance and urgency of taking action before sundown.
The second verse tells a story of a man who realizes his mistake in mistreating his loved one and wants to win her back before she leaves on a train. He recognizes that he needs to take immediate action to make things right and keep her in his life. The third verse focuses on financial struggles and portrays the frustration of being broke and out of options. However, the chorus repeats once again, reminding the listener that the key to overcoming obstacles is to take action.
Overall, the song's message is to not let your problems hold you back, but instead, to face them head-on and take the necessary steps to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever you've got a little problem
When life poses a small issue
And misery's payin' it's dues
And you're feeling the consequences of a tough time
You can't get ahead layin' in bed
You won't make any progress by staying put
Get up and put on your shoes, baby
Get up and take action
Get up and move
Move forward
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Act now before it's too late
Now how do I win my baby
Now how do I regain the affection of my partner
On a train she's leavin' today
My partner is departing
I admit I was wrong
I acknowledge my mistake
She'll be gone much too long
My partner will be away for an extended period of time
And how much I need her to stay
And how much I want my partner to remain with me
What do I do
What action should I take
Now I ain't got no money
Now I am without funds
Last week I spent my last dime
I used up all of my money recently
I'm so broke and that ain't no joke
I am seriously lacking funds
And I'm 'bout to go out of my mind
And I am nearing a state of insanity
Get up and move
Take action and move forward
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Take action before it's too late
Get up and move
Take action and move forward
Get up and move 'fore sundown
Take action before it's too late
Contributed by Alyssa L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people