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 Gotta Keep On Moving
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ba do do do do
Ba do do do do
Ba do do do do
Lord I got to keep on movin'
Lord I got to get on down
I say Lord I got to keep on movin'
'Cause Lord their comin' after me
Listen to me
I've been accused for a killin'
Lord knows I didn't do
But hatin' me they are willin'
And that's a why (I got to get on) got to get on through
'Cause Lord their comin' after me
Yeah, I say Lord I got to keep on movin'
I say Lord I got to get on down
Lord I got to keep on movin', mm mm
'Cause Lord I can't be found
'Cause Lord their comin' after me
Now listen!
I've got two boys and a woman
Their gonna suffer now
Lord forgive me for not going back
But I'll be dead anyhow
I say I'll be dead anyhow
Yeah I say Lord I got to keep on movin'
Lord I got to get on down, mm mm
Lord I got to keep on movin' yeah yeah
'Cause Lord I can't be found
Because Lord their comin' after me
Now maybe someday I'll find a piece of land
Somewhere not botherin' anyone
Then I'll send for my love love sweet woman
And my two grown up sons
And my two grown up sons
One more time
I say Lord I got to keep on movin'
I say Lord I got to get on down
Lord I got to keep on movin' yeah yeah
'Cause Lord I can't be found
Because Lord their comin' after me
A one more time
Now Lord I got to keep on movin'
I say Lord I got to get on down
Lord I got to keep on movin', mm mm
Because Lord I can't be found
'Cause Lord their comin' after me
The Impressions' song "I Gotta Keep On Moving" is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience against adversity. The opening lines serve as a sort of musical mantra, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The repetition of "ba do" followed by "do do do do" creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the listener further into the story. The lyrics themselves speak to the singer's determination to keep moving forward, despite the potential consequences.
The song's first verse reveals that the singer has been accused of a crime he did not commit. He knows that people are out for him and must keep moving to avoid being caught. The second verse is particularly poignant, as the singer laments over leaving his family behind to fend for themselves. He hopes to one day reunite with them but knows that for now, he must keep running.
Despite the heavy subject matter, "I Gotta Keep On Moving" has an upbeat, almost joyful quality to it. The instrumentation is lively, with a prominent bassline, bright guitar riffs, and call-and-response vocals. This contrast between the song's instrumentation and its lyrics creates an emotional complexity that makes it all the more compelling.
Overall, "I Gotta Keep On Moving" is a testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. It's a song about strength, determination, and hope in the face of impossible odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord I got to keep on movin'
I have to keep moving forward because I am being pursued.
Lord I got to get on down
I need to move quickly and leave this place behind.
I say Lord I got to keep on movin'
I repeat that I need to keep moving forward to escape those who are after me.
'Cause Lord I can't be found
If I stop and stay in one place for too long, I will be caught.
'Cause Lord they're comin' after me
I am being pursued by those who wish to capture or harm me.
I've been accused for a killin'
I have been falsely accused of committing murder.
Lord knows I didn't do
I am innocent of the crime I am being accused of.
But hatin' me they are willin'
Those who wish me harm are willing to do so despite lacking evidence or proof of my guilt.
And that's a why (I got to get on) got to get on through
That is why I must keep moving forward and escaping those who are pursuing me.
I've got two boys and a woman
I have a family that I must protect and keep safe from harm.
Their gonna suffer now
My family will suffer because of my actions and the danger that follows me.
Lord forgive me for not going back
I ask for forgiveness for not being able to return home to be with my family.
But I'll be dead anyhow
I know that if I return home or stop running, I will be killed.
Now maybe someday I'll find a piece of land
I hope that someday I will be able to find a safe place to settle down and call my own.
Somewhere not botherin' anyone
A place where I can live peacefully without endangering others.
Then I'll send for my love love sweet woman
Once I have found a safe place to live, I will send for my wife to join me.
And my two grown up sons
When my wife arrives, we will reunite with our two grown-up sons.
Contributed by Michael V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people