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
Sooner Or Later
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew something was wrong
You know that funny feeling you get sometimes
Sure enough it was your girl friend on the phone
And she told me that
She said you had a fight when you got home last night
You know it hurt me so doggone bad
Because I love you so much
But you and I both knew that
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
If you do wrong
You know someday (Someday baby)
You're gonna have to pay
We knew it
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
We knew we'd have to face that lie (Someday baby)
'Cause he found out about you and I
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
We couldn't go on leanin' on a talk
We couldn't go on siftin' on a rock
We couldn't go on
Can't you see girl
We live in a small small world
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
You see girl yeah
If you do wrong you got to pay (Yes you do girl)
Just like the Grateful Dead
Didn't mean to do nobody wrong
But I love you too much
It's so damn strong
Ooh baby it's plain to see
From now on it's you and me
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
Sooner or later
It had to happen girl
Sooner or later
The Impressions' song "Sooner or Later" is a heart-wrenching ballad about a love that is bound to end due to unfortunate circumstances. The song opens up with the singer recounting a moment when the phone rang and he knew that something was wrong. It was his lover's girlfriend on the phone, informing him that his lover and her had a fight the previous night. The singer expresses his despair over this news, as he loves his partner too much, but knows that this was bound to happen eventually.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "sooner or later, it had to happen girl" which serves to emphasize that the ending of the relationship was always inevitable. The singer expresses his belief that if you do wrong, someday you're gonna have to pay, implying that perhaps the lover did something that led to the downfall of the relationship. However, they both knew that this was bound to happen eventually.
The song's lyrics also convey a sense of acceptance, where the singer understands that they couldn't go on pretending that everything was okay. He addresses the fact that they live in a small world, and it was only a matter of time before their relationship was exposed, leading to its inevitable conclusion.
Line by Line Meaning
You know this morning when the phone rang
At the start of the day when the phone rang
I knew something was wrong
It became apparent that something was amiss
You know that funny feeling you get sometimes
The strange sensation that arises occasionally
Sure enough it was your girl friend on the phone
She called to relay a message
And she told me that
She explained what had happened
She said you had a fight when you got home last night
Informing that there was an altercation upon arrival
You know it hurt me so doggone bad
It was exceedingly painful
Because I love you so much
Due to my profound affection for you
I love you so much
My love for you runs deep
But you and I both knew that
However, we both foresaw this outcome
If you do wrong
Wrong-doing will catch up to you
You know someday (Someday baby)
It's inevitable that someday it will happen
You're gonna have to pay
There will be consequences for your actions
We knew it
We were aware of the consequences
We knew we'd have to face that lie (Someday baby)
The truth would eventually emerge
'Cause he found out about you and I
After he learned of our situation
We couldn't go on leanin' on a talk
We couldn't continue to rely on conversation
We couldn't go on siftin' on a rock
We couldn't persist in limited progress
We couldn't go on
We couldn't continue the same way
Can't you see girl
Don't you understand?
We live in a small small world
Our actions have consequences in our tight-knit community
You see girl yeah
You comprehend, correct?
If you do wrong you got to pay (Yes you do girl)
The wrong-doer will be held accountable
Just like the Grateful Dead
Similar to the song by the Grateful Dead
Didn't mean to do nobody wrong
Our intentions were not dishonorable
But I love you too much
Our love for each other was overpowering
It's so damn strong
It's exceedingly powerful
Ooh baby it's plain to see
It's obvious, baby
From now on it's you and me
Going forward, it's just us
Sooner or later, It had to happen girl
The eventuality occurred as we anticipated
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ED TOWNSEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dae dae
Music straight to the heart that makes this life time worth it all
Brendan Farrell
I've been in love with the impressions for years and why have I only just heard this monster of a tune?!!!!
Reginald Torian
Thankyou everyone, I'm thinking of remaking this one.(copyrights owned) Always one of my favorites growing up. My dad used to take me to the studio and they rehearsed this like 30 times along with "loving power".
Four Seasons
Who’s your dad?
Madden Football
Undeniable classic record..🔥🔥
andrew kellers
☺☺☺☺
I bought this album on vinyl when it came out ..Love this stuff....still have it with all my soul music collection
Terry Manning
Great song.
Royce Hammond
Love this old school music and brings my good memories
If Adam had Corrected Eve
Drums, bass, vocals, lead, rhythm, keys,background, lyrics………👍👍👍👍👍
Riding in the summer music!
Betty Bailey
Real music no matter how old.