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
it
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(It's all right)
Say it's all right
(It's all right)
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
We're gonna move it slow
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
And it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now listen to the beat
Kinda pat your feet
You got soul, and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
When you wake up early in the morning
Feeling sad like so many of us do
Hum a little soul
Make life your goal
And surely something's got to come to you
And say it's all right
(It's all right)
Say it's all right
(It's all right)
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now everybody clap your hands
Give yourself a chance
You got soul, and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Someday I'll find me a woman
Who will love and treat me real nice
Then my woe's got to go
And my love, she will know
From morning, noon, and night
And she's got to
Say it's all right
(It's all right)
Say it's all right
(It's all right)
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now everybody clap your hands
Now give yourselves a chance
You got soul
The Impressions' song "It's Alright" is a feel-good tune that encourages listeners to enjoy life and have a good time. The lyrics repeat the phrase "it's all right," emphasizing that whatever struggles or challenges we may face, everything will ultimately be okay. The opening lines "Say it's all right" and "It's all right, have a good time" set the tone for the song's positive message.
The song also encourages us to embrace our own rhythm and soul. The lyrics mention moving slow when the lights are low, and listening to the beat and patting our feet. The idea is that we all have unique ways of expressing ourselves, and that we should embrace and celebrate our individuality. The line "You got soul, and everybody knows" reinforces this idea that we each have something special within us.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics describe the hope of finding love and that when we do, everything will feel alright. The lyrics suggest that the love we offer, and receive back, ultimately makes everything in life okay. The song ends with an invitation to clap our hands and give ourselves a chance. The song seems to emphasize that we should celebrate life, move to our own rhythm, and share love together.
Line by Line Meaning
Say it's all right
It's okay to feel the way you do
(It's all right)
Reinforcing that it's okay to feel the way you do
It's all right, have a good time
Enjoy life despite your struggles
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Reinforcing that it's okay to feel the way you do and enjoy life despite your struggles
We're gonna move it slow
Things may take time and that's okay
When lights are low
In moments of darkness or sadness
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
Taking your time can make things seem more significant
Now listen to the beat
Pay attention to the good things that are happening
Kinda pat your feet
Enjoy the little things in life
You got soul, and everybody knows
Everyone has their unique qualities and should embrace them
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Reinforcing that it's okay to feel the way you do and enjoy life despite your struggles
When you wake up early in the morning
Starting a new day or a new chapter in life
Feeling sad like so many of us do
Acknowledging that feeling overwhelmed or down is normal
Hum a little soul
Find joy in something small, like music
Make life your goal
Focus on the good things in life
And surely something's got to come to you
Good things will come if you have a positive attitude
Now everybody clap your hands
Get involved and celebrate the good things in life
Give yourself a chance
Believe in yourself and your abilities
Someday I'll find me a woman
Hope for love and companionship in the future
Who will love and treat me real nice
Desire for a healthy and loving relationship
Then my woe's got to go
Hoping for personal growth and improvement
And my love, she will know
Finding someone who understands and appreciates you
From morning, noon, and night
In all aspects of life
And she's got to
Looking forward to finding the right partner
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kien D Luu
What strikes me about Jamie Foxx is that he is extremely generous as a performer. He always lets those performing with him shine too.
Mashoko Ngonidzashe
And that makes him shine even more....I'm learning.thank you for the comment
VonJay
Guess you never saw the Emmit Smith roast.
Kien D Luu
@VonJay actually, I have hahaha
VonJay
@Kien D Luu guess he let that guy shine too
Brandon Buckley
Jamie is a class act
Ms Mills
Jay Pharoah is so underrated. Amazing impressionist.
dragunbwoi
He’s not underrated lol
Cesar
Underrated? Really? I’d say most people know he’s one of, if not, the best impersonator.
The guy could hack into government agencies lol.
Nweze
Impression wise....he's thr 🐐. What he does with impressions is freaking he can mimick anything.