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
Right On Time
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was young
You knew I wanted love
Thinking it was lot's of fun
When I first met you
I wanted your mind
But you wouldn't give in
You're right on time
Woah-oh right on time
Now that I'm older
I see you're right on time
All worlds respect
My dear is due to you
Like the old folks say
Their words they must be true
They say don't worry for love
Just look for the sign
It won't come when you want it
But It'll be right on time
You're right on time
Woah-oh right on time
Now that I'm older
I see you're right on time, mmm
Every goodnight after a long hard day
I think of your love, and what the bible say
As I read through the script I see He's mighty kind
He don't come when you want Him
But He's right on time
Mmmmmmm
Right on time
Woah-oh right on time
Now that I'm older
I see you're right on time
Hey, you're right on time
Woah-oh right on time
Right on time
Woah-oh right on time
The Impressions’ “Right On Time” is a song about love, patience, and timing. The first verse talks about a person who wasn't interested in the singer when they were young, but now that they're older, they are finally interested. This could be about a former love interest who the singer still has feelings for, or it could be a metaphor for something else entirely. The second verse mentions how the singer initially wanted the object of their affection for their mind, not their body. However, the person was unwilling to give in at that time. The chorus repeats the title phrase, “right on time,” indicating that even though the desired outcome didn't occur when the singer wanted it, it happened at the perfect moment.
The third verse switches to a spiritual tone, as the singer mentions reading the Bible and realizing that God "don't come when you want Him, but He's right on time." This line can be interpreted as referring to the idea that we must have faith that things will work out in their own time. The final chorus repeats the song's title with enthusiasm, indicating that the singer has finally found what they were looking for and that it was worth the wait.
Line by Line Meaning
You wouldn't have me
You rejected me
When I was young
Back when I was inexperienced and naive
You knew I wanted love
You were aware of my desire for affection
Thinking it was lot's of fun
Believing love was just a game
When I first met you
At the beginning of our relationship
I wanted your mind
I was attracted to your intellect
But you wouldn't give in
But you didn't reciprocate my feelings
And now you're right on time
And now you've arrived at the perfect moment
All worlds respect
Everyone holds you in high regard
My dear is due to you
My success and happiness are thanks to you
Like the old folks say
As the saying goes
Their words they must be true
Their advice is reliable
They say don't worry for love
They advise not to stress over finding love
Just look for the sign
Pay attention to the signs indicating the right person
It won't come when you want it
Love won't arrive at your convenience
But It'll be right on time
But it'll arrive at the perfect moment
Every goodnight after a long hard day
After a tiring day, at bedtime
I think of your love, and what the bible say
I reflect on your love and the teachings of the Bible
As I read through the script I see He's mighty kind
As I study the Bible, I recognize how benevolent God is
He don't come when you want Him
God doesn't respond when you demand it
But He's right on time
But He'll come at the right moment
Hey, you're right on time
Hey, you've arrived at the perfect moment
Right on time
At the ideal time
Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people