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
Stay Close To Me
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't you see what you're doing to the boy
Oh child
You have brought me so much joy
And I'm so happy
To be here by your side
Please stay close to me
Baby
Without your love I just can't exist
Oh child
You have brought me so much tenderness
You make my life seem brighter
What was dark has now become lighter
Please stay close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
And I'm so happy
To be here by your side
Please stay close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
In the song Stay Close To Me, The Impressions express their adoration and affection for their love interest. The lyrics communicate the depth of emotions felt towards this individual and the way they have impacted the singer's life. The singer recognizes the value of their love interest, acknowledging the joy and tenderness they bring into their life. The song captures the essence of a loving and caring relationship where both partners find happiness and comfort being together.
Throughout the song, the lyrics use nicknames like "baby doll" and "honey child" to show the intimacy between the singer and the love interest. The singer also emphasizes the importance of having their love interest close to them, expressing that they cannot exist without their love. This line portrays the depth of love felt by the singer, striking a cord with anyone who has found themselves completely consumed by a romantic relationship.
"Stay Close To Me" is a song that celebrates the beauty of love, emphasizing the importance of being close to the one you love. The song is a beautiful representation of a loving relationship, one where both partners find happiness by being together.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh baby
The singer is addressing his lover with affection.
Can't you see what you're doing to the boy
The singer is asking his lover to understand the impact she has on him.
Oh child
The singer is using another term of endearment for his lover.
You have brought me so much joy
The singer expresses how much happiness his lover has brought into his life.
And I'm so happy
The singer is expressing his contentment with his current state of being.
To be here by your side
The singer enjoys being close to his lover.
Please stay close to me
The singer asks his lover to remain close to him.
Baby
The singer addresses his lover with affection.
Without your love I just can't exist
The singer requires the love of his partner to truly live.
Oh child
The singer uses another term of endearment for his lover.
You have brought me so much tenderness
The singer expresses how much gentleness his lover has brought into his life.
You make my life seem brighter
The singer states that his lover makes his life feel more optimistic and joyful.
What was dark has now become lighter
The darkness and sadness in the singer's life has been lifted by his lover's presence.
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
The singer repeats his request for his lover to always be close to him using various terms of endearment.
And I'm so happy
To be here by your side
Please stay close to me
The singer reiterates his contentment with being close to his lover and asks her to remain nearby.
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
Always be, close to me
Baby doll, honey child
The singer once again makes his request for his lover to always be close to him, using the same terms of endearment.
Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Blanchard Johnson
Underrated in r&b. Mayfield is on the same level as the other r&b greats. When soul music is discussed he must be mentioned.
nordinemed
I deeply love Curtis and of course The Impressions
Ian MacDonald
Great, great LP, great track...I have a soft spot for the Stairsteps' version....
Michael Wilks
I always loved this song and it brings back so many memories of a carefree and tumultuous time all wrapped up into one. The carefreeness was my wonderful, splendiferous early youth before the drugs and jail(well lock up anyway) that came during the tumultuous times. This brings back memories of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy and myself at seven years old watching the aftermath of these two crusaders for good meeting their untimely demise. I'm not quite sure what year this song actually hit the airwaves, but songs like this are interlaced and interconnected in my memory with events like those aforementioned. Curtis Mayfield was an American original. A genius who's legacy I sincerely hope transcends time until the last glimmer of light emanates from the sun. God bless this great man's memory and God bless him for making them.
jsbrules
Another great remake of "This Old Heart of Mine". Love Curtis Mayfield!
Clarissa Coby
Another Jam Curtis wrote and shared with the Five Stairsteps
Andrew Devine
Bliss ❤️❤️❤️