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
Sometimes I Wonder
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me wonder (wonder)
I get the blues (blues)
And then I wonder (wonder)
You should hate me, day and night
But when I'm home everything's alright
Oooh whooh, you're you
Can I get an answer
You sit there with a smile up on your face
What's on your mind (I don't know)
While she's just prancing all over the place
When she should hate me, day and night
But when I'm home everything's alright
Oooh whooh, you're me
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
You ain't worried
When I stay out all night long
What's come over you
Whatever I do seems to never be wrong
When you should hate me, day and night
But when I'm home everything's alright
Oooh whooh, I don't know
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Sometimes I Wonder by The Impressions is a soulful ballad that explores the ebbs and flows of love and relationships. The lyrics suggest a sense of confusion and wonderment about the dynamics of the singer's relationship. The song also touches on the complexity of emotions in a relationship, indicating that sometimes love can be overwhelming and confusing. The opening line, "Sometimes you make me wonder," sets the tone for the song and is an expression of the singer's confusion and contemplation. The repetition of "sometimes I wonder" throughout the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of these feelings.
The second verse brings up the idea of forgiveness and acceptance in a relationship. The singer acknowledges that they have done something wrong and should be hated, yet their partner still welcomes them home with open arms. This illustrates a sense of forgiveness and understanding that is important in any relationship. The line "What's come over you, whatever I do seems to never be wrong" implies that the singer feels a sense of guilt and disbelief that their partner continues to forgive them.
The final verse suggests that the singer is taking their partner for granted. The line "You ain't worried when I stay out all night long" is a clear indication of the singer's disregard for their partner's feelings. This suggests that the singer is perhaps feeling guilty and conflicted about their own actions and is wondering how their partner could continue to forgive them.
Overall, Sometimes I Wonder explores the complexity of emotions in a relationship and emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes
Every once in a while
You make me wonder
You leave me curious and questioning
I get the blues
I feel sad and down
And then I wonder
And I start questioning again
You should hate me, day and night
You have every reason to despise me constantly
But when I'm home everything's alright
However, when I am with you, everything seems fine
Oooh whooh, you're you
You are your own person
Can I get an answer
May I please have a response
You sit there with a smile up on your face
You sit with a grin on your countenance
What's on your mind (I don't know)
What are you thinking? (I do not know)
While she's just prancing all over the place
Meanwhile, she is frivolously moving around
You ain't worried
You are not concerned
When I stay out all night long
Even though I am out all night
What's come over you
What has happened to you
Whatever I do seems to never be wrong
Whatever actions I take, they never seem to displease you
Oooh whooh, I don't know
I have no idea
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
From time to time, I question and ponder
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Occasionally, I am left in bewilderment
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Every so often, I am filled with doubt
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Now and then, I am left in curiosity
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Intermittently, I am filled with uncertainty
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
Periodically, I am in a state of perplexity
Sometimes I wonder (wonder)
From time to time, I am questioning and inquisitive
Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people