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
Twilight Time
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out of the mist your voice is calling, it's twilight time
When purple-colored curtains mark the end of day
I'll hear you, my dear, at twilight time
Deepening shadows gather splendor as day is done
Fingers of night will soon surrender the setting sun
I count the moments darling 'til you're here with me
Here, in the afterglow of day
We keep our rendezvous beneath the blue
Here in the sweet and same old way
I fall in love again as I did then
Deep in the dark your kiss will thrill me like days of old
Lighting the spark of love that fills me with dreams untold
Each day I pray for evening just to be with you
Together at last at twilight time
Together at last at twilight time
The Impressions's song "Twilight Time" brings listeners into a state of introspection and contemplation. It is a romantic melody that invokes the magic of the transitional time between day and night. The song begins with the phrase "heavenly shades of night are falling, it's twilight time," which immediately sets an atmospheric tone. The singer's beloved is not physically present, but their voice resonates, "out of the mist your voice is calling," indicating that they communicate through other means. The curtains of nightfall signal the end of the day, but also bring anticipation as the singer longs to hear their dear one's voice.
As the night deepens and the shadows gather, they acquire a mesmerizing splendor, signifying the beauty in the ending of the day. The fingers of night are personified, representing the inevitability of the setting sun. The singer counts the moments until their loved one is with them because their presence signifies the reunion of two souls. As the afterglow of the day envelops them, they have their rendezvous, which is a simple yet meaningful moment that they cherish. The repetition of "together at last at twilight time" portrays the idea that despite the various obstacles and barriers, they will always find a way to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavenly shades of night are falling, it's twilight time
The sky is becoming darker as night approaches, it's twilight time.
Out of the mist your voice is calling, it's twilight time
As the day fades away, I hear your voice calling out to me in the mist, it's twilight time.
When purple-colored curtains mark the end of day
When the sky turns purple, I know that the day is ending.
I'll hear you, my dear, at twilight time
I will listen to you, my love, during these peaceful moments when the day turns into night.
Deepening shadows gather splendor as day is done
The darkness becomes more beautiful as the day comes to a close.
Fingers of night will soon surrender the setting sun
The night will soon take over from the setting sun.
I count the moments darling 'til you're here with me
I spend the time between now and when you will be with me, my dear, counting each moment with anticipation.
Together at last at twilight time
We will finally be together during this special moment between day and night.
Here, in the afterglow of day
Right now, during this special time at the end of the day.
We keep our rendezvous beneath the blue
We have a special meeting place beneath the blue sky where we always find each other.
Here in the sweet and same old way
In our familiar and beloved way.
I fall in love again as I did then
I feel the same falling-in-love feeling I felt the first time we met.
Deep in the dark your kiss will thrill me like days of old
When we're alone in the dark, your kiss still thrills me the way it did when we were younger.
Lighting the spark of love that fills me with dreams untold
Your kiss ignites the passion of our love, filling me with dreams I never could have imagined.
Each day I pray for evening just to be with you
Every day, I can't wait for the evening to come so I can be with you again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people