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 Love You
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the one who loves you
Little girl again you are blue
Another fellow has gone and left you
I see you've come back to me your best friend
To tell another tragic story again
And one more time you ought to realize
That I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one who loves you, love me
I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one who loves you
I must confess, you're not to be blamed
For being caught in those boys vicious games
This time I won't let you go back
Never again, my dear, in fact
I'm going to stop the blueness in you
Also confess what my heart wants me to
That I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one who loves you, love me
I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one who loves you
Just once more you look in my eyes
And one more time you ought to realize
That I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one who loves you, love me
I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one who loves you
...
The Impressions’ “I’m the One Who Loves You” is a classic soul ballad full of unrequited love and longing. The song is addressed to a woman who has just been left by another man, whom she confides in as her best friend. Curtis Mayfield, the lead singer of the group, sings that he has been there for her all this time and is the one who truly loves her. He acknowledges that it’s not her fault that she has been caught up in a game played by men and promises to not let her go back to that sad state again. The song is a plea from Mayfield to the woman to realize his affection for her and choose him instead of the other men in her life.
The lyrics of the song perfectly capture the pain and desperation of someone who loves someone else but cannot express their feelings. The repetition of the titular line 'I'm the one who loves you' puts a fine point on Curtis Mayfield's argument. The tempo of the song stays constant throughout, with a slow, gentle beat that underscores Mayfield's sincerity. The musicality of the song is melodious and calming, allowing the lyrics to take center stage.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the one who loves you
Reinforcement of the central message of the song, which is that the singer's love is true and unwavering.
Little girl again you are blue
The singer addresses the subject of the song as 'little girl,' implying that they have known each other for some time. They also comment on the subject's sad state of mind.
Another fellow has gone and left you
The singer empathizes with the subject and recognizes that they have been hurt and abandoned by someone else.
I see you've come back to me your best friend
The artist notes that the subject has returned to them for support, recognizing their close relationship.
To tell another tragic story again
The artist understands that the subject is about to recount another tale of woe, emphasizing their pattern of attracting heartbreak.
And once more you look in my eyes
The singer acknowledges that the subject is seeking comfort and possibly validation from them.
And one more time you ought to realize
The singer implores the subject to recognize the depth of their love and devotion.
I must confess, you're not to be blamed
The artist absolves the subject of any blame for their romantic misfortunes.
For being caught in those boys vicious games
The artist recognizes that the subject has been caught up in the games and machinations of other men.
This time I won't let you go back
The artist promises to intervene and protect the subject from further pain.
Never again, my dear, in fact
The singer emphasizes the finality of this decision and their love for the subject, using a term of endearment.
I'm going to stop the blueness in you
The artist is determined to heal the subject's sadness and restore their happiness.
Also confess what my heart wants me to
The singer reveals their own true feelings and desires.
Just once more you look in my eyes
The singer reiterates the subject's need for reassurance and connection.
And one more time you ought to realize
The singer reinforces the idea that the subject needs to acknowledge their love and accept their protection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jhang P
Michael was a phenomenon of his times. He actually did his most dynamic performances in his teenage years with the Jacksons and during the Bad tour. He then became mired in perfectionism and overly dependent on other artistic support. Yes he was a talented entertainer but is over rated.
Because:
• He was not the prolific song writer Some believe he is. He did write, especially in his early solo years. He co-wrote several. He did not even write Man In The mirror, considered his most personal and iconic work, Siedah Garret wrote it.
• Michael was popular in the video heavy 1980's and helped to create a choreographed dance language for pop. Michael’s dance style was completely derivative. He directly used the choreography of Bob Fosse, Cab Calloway, James Brown , Fred Astair, Gene Kelly and even moves from John Travolta in Grease.
• Michael was NOT the first cross over performer. Nat King Cole was an icon mainstream crooner with his own tv show, watched by millions every week, when Michael was born. The Supremes hit the Billboard top 40 when mj was a baby.
Jimmy Hendrix was a rock and roll sensation,guitar god and global sex symbol in the 60's. Think Ray Charles , the Isley brothers,and Harry Belafonte. Black groups began getting mainstream radio airplay in the 1950's. Duke Ellington was a legend who ruled the jazz world.
Michael Jackson was not the first black artist to “cross over”. It was inevitable that MTV would soon begin to show videos by black artists. Music and culture were changing. Michael happened to be in the right place at the right time.
• Michael did not write,direct,choreograph most of his short films as is commonly believed. Martin Scorsese , an academy award winner directed the Bad video. Michael hired the likes of John Landis , Nick Saxton and Steven Spielberg, to write/ direct other videos. Michael as director and writer is over rated because it is not exactly as true as most people give him credit for.
• Off The Wall , Thriller and Bad were really Quincy Jones visualizing Michael Jackson’s style after the Jackson 5. Quincy had the expertise to make it real. Michael did not have the skills to produce and visualize the finished sound of those albums. His work took a definite turn for the worst after The 90’s and was inconsistent with his producer Riley.
• He did not conceptualize, write or produce "We Are The World" . We are the world was conceptualized for charity by Lionel Richie who then brought Michael in. Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian produced. Lionel Richie wrote the melody then recruited Jackson to co-write lyrics and attract other artists, money, media ,technical people. The fact that people believe it was ALL Michael Jackson on that project causes him to be over rated as writer , producer, lyricist, videographer, publicity manager, sound technician….. you name it.
• After about 1990 -93 MJ did not progress in his dance or musical style. His use of Rap , choruses of children's voices , thunderclap beats, began to drown him on his albums. Beset with personal problems, drug problems and eccentricities Michael had lost his "creative inner voice" and was more focused on outdoing Thriller. By the end of the decade Michael was actually using auto tune which was doubtfully necessary. He had been singing beautiful pitch perfect tenor since he was 11 years old
• Jackson became stuck "doing Michael Jackson " for the sake of perpetuating his fame. HIStory was a special effects and gold pants ego fest. Even the performance specifics were derivative ( as they had been since the beginning). Elvis Presley was THE FIRST to gyrate on stage wearing a tight gold suit and wide metal belt in the EARLY 1960's.
• Even for a big comeback at London o2 he was planning on rehashing 20–40 year old "fan pleasing" material with zillion dollar special effects and lit up costumes.
He needed to sell tickets, end of story. like an oldies act. It was disturbingly sad because there was no innovation or creativity from Michael. He had million dollar ideas on how to make it flashier but no ideas on how to make it musically better
• Michael was a talented vocalist and dancer, not a musician. It’s commonly believed he played guitar, drums, piano etc. He did not .He played piano, on a very basic level like a kid who had piano lessons, and no other instruments. Studio musicians taught him to beat box. Big deal.
• His current fan base is incredibly toxic in their worship of Michael as the tragic figure. They have little knowledge of his early musical achievements, recite his martyrdom with misinformation and verbally attack others for any opinion besides their own.
It is actually this type of fan that has obscured , Michael’s main concern, his musical legacy by confusing his musical legacy with his personal legacy.
• Jazz dancers/musicians in the 1920s invented the moonwalk. Street kids in the 1970’s perfected it. Fans and those that don’t know this fact erroneously over rate Jackson for inventing it.
Jackson was an entertainer. Thats what he called himself. He was a great entertainer on stage with tons of stage charisma. He had a beautiful singing voice.
He kept that all propped up with a lot of help from the best talents in the world, the best talent his money and fame could buy, but personally he was not the musical god of all things.
Gary Gagliardi
I agree with Ariana as #1 because all of her impressions are phenomenal and Bruno's Michael Jackson was ridiculously awesome. So much talent in this video. Well done!
Jay Janzee
Celine can sing Sia anytime for me! 😍 Her voice gives me chills regardless
But Alessia Cara was spot on with all her impressions
Mindful Art
Wouah Bruno's impression of MJ is the best one i've ever heard.
J Koda
The top mj tribute act is navi, search him up, he's amazing.
Lex Parsimoniae
Bruno Marrs needs to tour doing only MJ covers. ....mega$$$
Dianna Hawn
I’ll second that Lex Parsimimoniae
Slammin Samyn
That helped him get famous lol he was an MJ impersonator
Tracy Anderson
I used to be work at a private practice and someone said Bruno Mars was an MJ impersonator before his first CD hit didn’t believe her needless to say she was 💯 correct 😂
Freddie Mercury
The firat time i saw bruno mars i was like this dude looks like Micheal jackson
Caz Butterfly
@J Koda ditto