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
I'm Loving Nothing
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Passionate moods of fire
Wanting to give my heart
All of a sudden, I'm loving nothin'
Women she lied there so sweet
Everything seemed so complete
A burning fire in my chest
But there is nothing
And I'm loving nothing
I finally found that out
I'm loving nothing
It's hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
I cried silent tears so blue
All because of you
You must not understand
The desires of your man
And a love so needy
Has dissolved so completely
And there is nothing
I finally found that out
I'm loving nothing
It's hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
Tenderly I desire
Passionate moods of fire
Wanting to give my heart
All of a sudden, I'm loving nothin'
No there is nothin'
And I'm loving nothing
I finally found out
I'm loving nothing
It's so hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
The Impressions’ “I’m Loving Nothing” is a poignant song that talks about a man’s disillusionment with love. The lyrics are filled with melancholy and despair as the singer comes to the realization that he no longer feels anything for his lover. The song talks about him desiring tender and passionate love, but finding nothing in return. He longs to give his heart but realizes that he is not receiving any love in return.
The song talks about a failed relationship where the man's lover had promised him everything, but over time, he realizes that she has not fulfilled any of her promises. He feels a burning fire in his chest, wanting to love and caress, but it seems like she is no longer interested in him. The singer breaks down in tears, feeling completely let down by the woman he loved so deeply. In the end, he comes to the stark realization that he is no longer in love with her and that there is nothing left between the two of them.
The song’s lyrics are a poignant reminder of how love can fade away so quickly and how relationships can disintegrate over time. The song is a beautiful mix of a soulful melody and powerful lyrics that tug at the heartstrings. It is a reminder that love is not always easy, and that sometimes we have to let it go when it is no longer there.
Line by Line Meaning
Tenderly I desire
I long for someone with tenderness and affection
Passionate moods of fire
I want to be with someone who also possesses fiery passion
Wanting to give my heart
I am willing to give my heart to the right person
All of a sudden, I'm loving nothin'
Despite my desire to love, I suddenly feel empty and incapable of loving
Women she lied there so sweet
I was with a sweet and seemingly perfect woman
Everything seemed so complete
My relationship felt perfect and whole
A burning fire in my chest
I had intense feelings of passion and longing
Wanting to love and caress
I craved physical affection and connection
But there is nothing
Despite my desires, there was nothing there to fulfill them
I finally found that out
I came to the realization that my love was not reciprocated
It's hard to believe
It's difficult to accept this truth
But without a doubt
I am sure that it is true
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
There is no affection or tenderness in our relationship, not even a kiss
I cried silent tears so blue
I cried alone and painfully
All because of you
The reason for my emotional pain was my partner
You must not understand
My partner does not comprehend my needs and desires
The desires of your man
My wants, as a man, are not being fulfilled by my partner
And a love so needy
My love is desperate and requires affection
Has dissolved so completely
Our relationship has deteriorated completely
No there is nothin'
There is truly nothing there in our relationship
Contributed by Isaiah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
notorious
Tenderly I desire
Passionate moods of fire
Wanting to give my heart
All of a sudden, I'm loving nothin'
Women she lied there so sweet
Everything seemed so complete
A burning fire in my chest
Wanting to love and caress
But there is nothing
And I'm loving nothing
I finally found that out
I'm loving nothing
It's hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
I cried silent tears so blue
All because of you
You must not understand
The desires of your man
And a love so needy
Has dissolved so completely
And there is nothing
I finally found that out
I'm loving nothing
It's hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
Tenderly I desire
Passionate moods of fire
Wanting to give my heart
All of a sudden, I'm loving nothin'
No there is nothin'
And I'm loving nothing
I finally found out
I'm loving nothing
It's so hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
william swindell
I have written so many posts here stating how Mr, Mayfield's music has been a companion at every stage of my life, celebrating love but most comforting, when love was fading or gone away. More than any other songwriter, he was there with me. He still dwells within the innermost places of my emotions and for that reason, he will always reign supreme as my guide for he had been there before me. Forever Curtis Mayfield, live on...
AJ. McGowan
It is so sad that one of the best love ballads of that era went by virtually unnoticed. This song is so smooth, filled with emotion, passion and something I call complete desperation.
the promise man
Curtis Mayfield is one of the greatest composer ever lived
Sylvia Nixon
Yesssssssssssss!!!
notorious
Tenderly I desire
Passionate moods of fire
Wanting to give my heart
All of a sudden, I'm loving nothin'
Women she lied there so sweet
Everything seemed so complete
A burning fire in my chest
Wanting to love and caress
But there is nothing
And I'm loving nothing
I finally found that out
I'm loving nothing
It's hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
I cried silent tears so blue
All because of you
You must not understand
The desires of your man
And a love so needy
Has dissolved so completely
And there is nothing
I finally found that out
I'm loving nothing
It's hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
Tenderly I desire
Passionate moods of fire
Wanting to give my heart
All of a sudden, I'm loving nothin'
No there is nothin'
And I'm loving nothing
I finally found out
I'm loving nothing
It's so hard to believe
But without a doubt
There's not even a kiss of tenderness
William S
Great singers even greater writer. Master Curtis in a class all alone. Excellent musician, check out his picking...
Sandra Montanari
Necesito la partitura
Alex McGowan
apparently inspired hendrix. I can hear castles made of sand...
Nauq Ohsip
I’m 25 a 90s baby and this the only music I really listen too now. The impressions definitely leave an impression with their music
AJ. McGowan
One of the most beautiful ballard's of that era. the soft sweet harmonies and the deep lyrics are simply amazing