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
Grow Closer Together
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Together we always seemed to be
We were just good friends
Then something deep within
My heart kept a-tellin' me
Be closer together
For you might love one another
For you might love one another
You must take [?] to your heart
And never let her get too far apart
She's the girl that you love
She's the girl that you love
Closer together, closer together
For the first time I
Looked in to her eyes
Was a-long before I realized
Sincere and true
They said 'I love you'
And at last her heart was saying too
Be closer together
For you might love one another
You'll be closer together
For you might love one another
You've got to take [?] to your heart
And never let her get too far apart
She's the girl that you love
She's the girl that you love
Closer together, closer together
Come on, let's be closer together
Come on, let's be closer together
Come on, let's be closer together
Come on, let's be closer together
The Impressions' "Grow Closer Together" is a sweet and soulful love song that tells the story of a boy and a quiet girl in his hometown who were friends, but as time passed, he started to develop deeper feelings for her. The lyrics talk about the importance of being close to someone you love and not letting them get too far away. The chorus urges the listener to “be closer together, for you might love one another” because taking someone you love for granted can lead to losing that person forever.
The song is a classic example of the doo-wop genre, characterized by its simple, repetitive melodies, and harmonies that showcase the artists' vocal abilities. The Impressions' smooth vocals and soulful delivery make the song irresistible to listeners. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's experience, taking the listener on a journey from a friendship to a deep, genuine relationship full of love and affection.
The Impressions released "Grow Closer Together" in 1966, and it quickly became a hit, reaching number nine on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart. The song's success helped establish The Impressions as one of the most influential R&B groups of the 1960s. The song has since become a classic and was one of the group's most popular singles.
Line by Line Meaning
In my hometown lived a quiet girl
The story begins with the singer reminiscing about a girl he knew from his hometown who was shy and reserved.
Together we always seemed to be
Despite the girl being quiet, they always seemed to be around each other as good friends.
We were just good friends
The two of them had a platonic relationship and were just friends at the time.
Then something deep within
Despite being just friends, the artist's feelings for the girl began to grow stronger.
My heart kept a-tellin' me
His feelings were so intense that he couldn't help but listen to what his heart was telling him.
Be closer together
The singer is urging himself and the girl to become closer so they can see if their feelings are reciprocated.
For you might love one another
He believes that if they become closer, they may discover that they have deeper feelings for each other.
You must take [?] to your heart
The artist is emphasizing that it's important to take the girl he loves into his heart and keep her close.
And never let her get too far apart
He doesn't want her to slip away or become distant from him.
She's the girl that you love
The artist is urging himself to recognize that this girl is someone he truly loves.
Closer together, closer together
The refrain is repeated to emphasize the importance of getting closer to the person you love.
For the first time I
The artist is reflecting on a pivotal moment in their relationship.
Looked in to her eyes
He's describing the moment when he first really looked at her and saw her for who she was.
Was a-long before I realized
It took him a while to fully comprehend his feelings and the depth of his love for her.
Sincere and true
The singer recognizes that his feelings are genuine and truthful.
They said 'I love you'
He's conveying that he and the girl finally expressed their love for each other.
And at last her heart was saying too
The girl finally shared her feelings with him and her heart was in sync with his.
Come on, let's be closer together
The song ends with the singer urging the listener to also be closer to the person they love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tharan Manning
A fantastic song from a good group.yet underrated they should've been recognized as one of the greats.ilove this song.
Gale Gibbs
I think that their career would have flourished had they been with Motown.
Renard Atkins
That's because their "gospel" was love, peace, and soul...form the heart;, and not "British Beastialism"!!!
Ed Cornell
Curtis's early '60s songs awesome, yet underrated. This 1962 single says it all..
Erik Scott
Yeah, they were my favorites!
Thomas chapton jr.
THIS IS THE MUSIC OF MY GENERATION. LOVE PEACE, AND SOUL.
Power and Light Tarot
I remember some of these sweet songs when I was a kid..especially Gypsy Woman. Love this .
William Parks
As both a great singing group which featured two all time great singers, as well as having a great songwriter within the group, they were truly unique for those times.
Chris Chanin
outstanding! curtis and the impressions forever!!!
jeff power
What a very humble Man God Bless You Sir