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
We
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And never let anybody say
Boy, you can't make it
'Cause a feeble mind is in your way
No more tears do we cry
And we have finally dried our eyes
And we're movin' on up (movin' on up)
Lord, have mercy
We're living proof in alls alert
That we're two from the good black earth
And we're a winner
And everybody knows it too
We just keep on pushin'
Like your leaders tell you to
At last that blessed day has come
And I don't care where you come from
We're all movin' on up (movin' on up)
Lord, have mercy
We're movin' on up (movin' on up), woo
Hey, hey
We're movin' on up (movin' on up)
Lord, have mercy
We're movin' on up (movin' on up)
I don't mind leavin' here
To show the world we have no fear
'Cause we're a winner
And everybody knows it too
We just keep on pushin'
Like your leaders tell you to
At last that blessed day has come
And I don't care where you come from
We're just gon' move on up (movin' on up)
Lord, have mercy
We're movin' on up (movin' on up), woo
We just keep on pushin'
We're a winner
Lord, baby
Everybody
Hey, you know we're movin' on up, wooo, wooo
We're a winner, yeah, yeah, just keep on pushin'
The Impressions' song "We're A Winner" is a powerful anthem of black pride and determination. The lyrics are a call to action for black people to stand tall and not let anyone tell them they can't succeed because of their race or any other obstacles. The song was written during the Civil Rights Movement, and its message remains relevant today.
The first verse is a message to anyone who tries to bring down a person's confidence or self-esteem. The Impressions assert that they are winners despite what anyone else says. The lines "And never let anybody say/Boy, you can't make it" express a defiance against those who would try to limit them. The line "a feeble mind is in your way" is a reminder that the only thing holding people back is often their own negative thoughts.
In the second verse, The Impressions celebrate their blackness and their heritage. They are "two from the good black earth," suggesting a connection to their ancestral roots. They are proud of who they are and are determined to succeed despite any obstacles in their path. The Impressions also acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice that has brought them to this point. "We just keep on pushin'/Like your leaders tell you to" is a nod to the Civil Rights Movement and the leaders who fought for black people's rights.
Line by Line Meaning
We're a winner
We are successful and triumphant in our endeavors.
And never let anybody say
We refuse to allow anyone to tell us otherwise.
Boy, you can't make it
We reject the notion that we cannot succeed.
'Cause a feeble mind is in your way
Because someone lacks the ability to think positively, they will not be able to succeed.
No more tears do we cry
We have stopped crying about our struggles.
And we have finally dried our eyes
We have come out of our melancholy state.
And we're movin' on up (movin' on up)
We are progressing and improving our situation.
Lord, have mercy
An expression of thanks to God for our attainment.
We're living proof in alls alert
We are evidence that it is possible to rise above our current circumstances.
That we're two from the good black earth
We are descendants of people who were taken from Africa and enslaved.
And everybody knows it too
Everyone is aware of our achievements.
We just keep on pushin'
We keep trying and striving towards success.
Like your leaders tell you to
We follow the examples of those who have succeeded before us.
At last that blessed day has come
Finally, our dreams have come true.
And I don't care where you come from
It doesn't matter where you come from, anyone can succeed.
We're all movin' on up (movin' on up)
We are all progressing and improving our situation.
I don't mind leavin' here
We do not have a problem leaving behind our struggles.
To show the world we have no fear
We will demonstrate to the world that we are not afraid.
We just keep on pushin'
We keep trying and striving towards success.
We're a winner
We are successful and triumphant in our endeavors.
Lord, baby
An expression of joy and gratitude for our success.
Hey, you know we're movin' on up, wooo, wooo
We are progressing and improving our situation, and everyone knows it.
We're a winner, yeah, yeah, just keep on pushin'
We are successful in our endeavors, and we will continue to work hard to maintain our position.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis L Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mmmaritza14
This is one of those songs that are connected to a certain memory and when you listen to it, you just kinda go... "Oh i remember that time in my life", and a sudden bittersweet feeling emerges.
@brandonswain65
...
@sudhanshugaur2317
Strongly agree (y)
@mxpxrhcpnofx
I’m Japanese. My best friend recommended me this song like 10 years ago. This song reminds me of the very best moment of everyone that I love. Good memories, my good memories of 2010’s. My dad’s in a coma and I have to get my shit straight for my family and not bother by the past but this song is too loud...
@DMarkezDj
Be strong for your family and always for you! Cheers from Mexico.
@gustavofaria95
My thing with this song is: I thought I knew it for a long long time, but just discovered it in 2021. And hearing it brings me so much joy and nostalgia, I can't ever leave it
@tigerlily9830
His voice and singing style are so much like Lou Reed's. Pretty great.
@elenasamaniego5918
Dios, esta canción me encanta, hace rato que no me la puedo sacar de la cabeza... Es como si me transportara a un lugar más agradable. El poder de la música es lo más hermoso en el mundo :')
@lazyboy3533
Elen saego Oye si :3
@jackyp2151
true gem of a band