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
You Must Believe Me
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
No no, it just didn't happen that way
You've come home with somethin' on your mind
Darlin', tell me, why are you cryin'
While tryin' to tell me somethin' that I've done
The things you've heard couldn't be denied
But before your opinion, listen to my side
And you must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
No no, it just didn't happen that way
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
Girl, you're wrong to believe what was said
For you see nothing could ever be that bad
Though the talk is now all over town
Darling, you know I'd never put you down
True, her and me were at the party as guests
There's nothing else to say about whom I love best
And you must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
No no, it just didn't happen that way
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
The Impressions’ song "You Must Believe Me" is a soulful ballad about a man trying to convince his partner to trust him despite rumors circulating about him. The song is a plea for understanding and belief as the singer asks his partner not to believe everything she hears around town about his supposed infidelity. He insists that whatever gossip she heard didn't happen in the way people are saying it did. He acknowledges that he was with another woman at a party, but affirms that nothing untoward happened between them. The singer begs his partner to have faith in him and listen to his side of the story before making up her mind. He wants to assure his lover that he would never put her down or hurt her in any way.
The lyrics of "You Must Believe Me" paint a picture of a man in a vulnerable position. He is being judged by people he doesn't know, and even his partner is struggling to trust him. The song's melody is gentle and sweet, and its lyrics are straightforward and honest. By using the refrain “No no, it just didn't happen that way” and “Whoa, it's all right,” the singer is trying to comfort his partner and reassure her that everything is going to be okay. The song's message is a call for believing in each other and trusting that things will work out for the best.
Line by Line Meaning
You must believe me
I need you to trust me and have faith in what I am saying.
No matter what the people might say
Regardless of the rumors or gossip circulating, you should still trust me.
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
The situation being discussed did not occur in the way that it has been portrayed.
You've come home with somethin' on your mind
You have returned home with a troubled state of mind and I am here to help you.
Darlin', tell me, why are you cryin'
Please share with me what is causing you to be upset and cry.
You say be serious, no time for fun
You want me to be serious and not make light of the situation.
While tryin' to tell me somethin' that I've done
You are attempting to inform me of something that I have allegedly done.
The things you've heard couldn't be denied
You have heard certain things about me that I cannot deny.
But before your opinion, listen to my side
I would like to provide my perspective before you form your own opinion.
Girl, you're wrong to believe what was said
You should not believe what others have been saying about me because it is untrue.
For you see nothing could ever be that bad
The situation is not as bad as it has been made out to be.
Though the talk is now all over town
The rumors have now spread throughout the entire town.
Darling, you know I'd never put you down
I would never intentionally hurt or harm you.
True, her and me were at the party as guests
It is true that she and I were at the party as guests.
There's nothing else to say about whom I love best
There is no question about whom I love the most, which is you.
Whoa, it's all right
Everything is going to be okay.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people