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
Without a Song
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a song, the road would never bend
When things go wrong, a man ain't got no friend
Without a song
That field of corn, would never see a plough
That field of corn, would be deserted now
A man is born, but he's no good no how
I've got my troubles and woes
And sure as I know, that Jordan will roll
I'll get along, as long as a song, is strong, in, my soul
I'll never know, what makes the grass so tall
I'll never know, just what makes, what makes the rain to fall
I only know, there ain't no love at all
Without a song
The Impressions' "Without A Song" expresses the idea that music is an integral part of life. The song's chorus repeats the idea that without a song, the day would never end and the road would never bend. The song also denotes that a person without a song, when things go wrong, would not have a friend because music can provide solace and companionship. The lyrics argue that life itself is incomplete without music, and that crops would never be plowed or that rain would never fall.
The song has a melancholic tone that suggests that life is full of troubles and woes, and there would be no way for an individual to get along without a song that uplifts the soul. The song highlights the fact that music helps people deal with the storms of life and provides an escape from the harshness of reality. "Without A Song" also highlights the idea that nature is full of mysteries that are inexplicable, such as what makes the grass so tall, and what makes the rain fall. However, the one thing that is certain is that music is an essential element of human existence.
Overall, The Impressions' "Without A Song" speaks to the importance of music as an essential part of life. The song asserts that music is necessary for a person to find meaning and solace in an often cruel world.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a song, the day would never end
Music is so powerful that it has the ability to make time cease to exist. It can draw us into the moment and make us forget about the worries of the day.
Without a song, the road would never bend
Music has the power to open our minds and broaden our perspectives. Without its influence, we are likely to become stagnant and stuck in our ways.
When things go wrong, a man ain't got no friend
In times of trouble, music serves as a true friend. It can console us, inspire us, and help us to look beyond our pain and find hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Without a song
Music is so powerful that it has the ability to shape our very existence. Without it, life simply wouldn't be the same.
That field of corn, would never see a plough
Music has been a powerful force in human history, motivating people to work hard and achieve great things. Without it, many fields of opportunity would go untended.
That field of corn, would be deserted now
Music has the power to bring people together and create community. Without it, we would be isolated and alone in our fields of individuality.
A man is born, but he's no good no how
Music has the power to transform us, to lift us up and help us to become our best selves. Without its influence, human potential would remain unrealized.
I've got my troubles and woes
Life is full of hardships and challenges, but music can help us to find meaning and purpose in our struggles.
And sure as I know, that Jordan will roll
Music has been a powerful force in the history of the world, and it will continue to be so long after we are gone.
I'll get along, as long as a song, is strong, in, my soul
Music offers us hope and strength in difficult times. As long as we can hold onto the songs that inspire us, we can find the courage to face anything that comes our way.
I'll never know, what makes the grass so tall
There are many mysteries in life that we may never fully understand, but music has the power to help us make sense of the world around us and find meaning in the inexplicable.
I'll never know, just what makes, what makes the rain to fall
Through music, we can find a connection to the natural world and the rhythms of life that are beyond our understanding.
I only know, there ain't no love at all
Without the powerful influence of music, love would be infinitely harder to find and sustain. Music connects us to the deeper parts of ourselves and to each other, making love and connection possible.
Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Darth Revan
He went with easily the most recognizable rap voice in history first... Genius
Alien Intervention
Also the best so far ......
Chris Taylor
And the best
OMKAR DALVI
i clicked on genius for no reason
LuckyComboo
@Alien Intervention so far and forever
B3CKL3Y • 45 yr ago
The first one i had to dig through the comments to find who it was
Stanley Shady
wow it's hard to sound like eminem.. and he nailed it
TotallyNothing
Woohoo
arad
Knelled*
BEAR
Kinda