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
Let It Be Me
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to stay around you
And so I'll beg you, let it be me-ee-ee
Let it be me
Don't take, this heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and forever, let it be me
Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love
What would life be, be-ee
So ne-ver leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only
Now and forever, let it be me-ee-ee
Let it be me
And so I'll beg you, let it be me-ee-ee
Let it be... me
The Impressions' song "Let It Be Me" is a love ballad that describes a person who has found true love and is pleading to their significant other to stay with them forever. The song starts with "God bless the day I found you, I want to stay around you. And so I'll beg you, let it be me-ee-ee, let it be me." These lines explain the singer's desperate desire to stay close to their lover and that they want to be the one for them.
As the song progresses, the lyrics continue to express the singer's adoration and love for their partner. They state that they are complete in love every time they meet and that without their sweet love, life would be incomplete. Additionally, they plead with their lover never to leave them lonely and to tell them that they love them only.
The song's central message is one of deep love and devotion, and one that inspires feelings of warmth and contentment. The song's slow melody and smooth vocal harmonies add to the peaceful ambiance of the song, making it the perfect choice for a romantic evening with a loved one.
Overall, "Let It Be Me" is a beautiful love song that showcases the immense value of true love and commitment. It is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
God bless the day I found you
I feel incredibly lucky that I found you in my life, and I hope that fortune will continue.
I want to stay around you
I have a deep desire to be close to you, spending time together and building a lasting relationship.
And so I'll beg you, let it be me-ee-ee
I know there may be others vying for your attention, but I'm pleading with you to choose me above all others.
Let it be me
I want to be the one you choose, the one you love, the one you share your life with.
Don't take, this heaven from one
It would be devastating for someone to lose the opportunity to be with you, and I don't want to be the cause of that pain.
If you must cling to someone
If you need to hold onto someone, I'm willing to be that person - I'll be there for you.
Now and forever, let it be me
I'm ready and willing to commit to you for the long haul, through thick and thin, always by your side.
Each time we meet love
Whenever we see each other, it feels like we're experiencing real, true love.
I find complete love
Being with you gives me a sense of total fulfillment and satisfaction in love.
Without your sweet love
If I didn't have the love and affection you give me, my life would be incomplete and missing something vital.
What would life be, be-ee
Life without your love would be unimaginable and not worth living.
So ne-ver leave me lonely
I fear being without you - please promise that you'll never leave me feeling alone or neglected.
Tell me you love me only
I need assurance that my love for you is reciprocated, and that you choose to love only me.
And so I'll beg you, let it be me-ee-ee
Once again, I'm pleading with you to choose me and allow me to be the one you love.
Let it be...
Please choose me and let me be the one to bring you happiness and love in your life.
Contributed by Ian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people