The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active… Read Full Bio ↴The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active from 1958 until 1983, whose repertoire included doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B.

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

Moonlight Shadows
The Impressions Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the shadow of the night
I see two love sitting in the moonlight shadow,
Two love kissing in the still of the night

There's another couple
Wandering through the moonlight shadows,
Hand in hand strolling through the nights moonlight

Oh, but me
I have no love
There's nothing here for me
If I could only find a true love
How happy I would be

I would wander
Wander through the moonlight shadow
Hand in hand kissing in the still of the night

In the shadows
Moonlight shado-woah-woah-ohs
In the shadows

Moonlight shado-woah-woah-oh
Moonlight shadow

Overall Meaning

The Impressions's song "Moonlight Shadows" is a poignant and soulful reflection on love and loneliness. The opening lines describe the singer's view of two lovers sitting and kissing in the moonlight shadow. This image is a romantic one and sets the tone for the song. However, the next lines reveal that there is another couple wandering around, hand in hand strolling through the moonlight shadows. These images of love and romance are in stark contrast to the singer's own life. He has no love, and there's nothing here for him. The singer knows what he's missing and wishes he could find a true love. He imagines how happy he would be if he could wander through the moonlight shadows, hand in hand, and kiss in the still of the night.

The lyrics of "Moonlight Shadows" capture the heartache and longing that often come with unrequited love. The images of two couples enjoying the moonlight shadows highlight the importance of love and companionship. The singer's own sense of loneliness and desire for a meaningful relationship add depth and pathos to the song. Overall, "Moonlight Shadows" is a beautiful and heartfelt meditation on the joys and sorrows of love.

Line by Line Meaning

In the shadow of the night
Under the darkness of the night sky

I see two love sitting in the moonlight shadow,
Witnessing two people, presumably in love, sitting together in the moon's light

Two love kissing in the still of the night
Watching two individuals kissing each other, in the peacefulness of the night

There's another couple
There's an additional duo of people

Wandering through the moonlight shadows,
Exploring and traveling in the moonlit darkness

Hand in hand strolling through the nights moonlight
Walking together while holding hands in the moon's light

Oh, but me
Regarding myself specifically

I have no love
I am not currently experiencing romantic love

There's nothing here for me
I lack any significant opportunities or prospects

If I could only find a true love
Hypothetically, if I could locate a genuine romantic connection

How happy I would be
I would experience great joy and satisfaction