The group was formed in late 1950s by Mike Barnett, Dick Stewart and Tony Butala. They auditioned for Jackie Barnett, chief comedy writer for the Jimmy Durante TV show. They landed the part to impersonate The Rhythm Boys, the vocal group that traveled with Paul Whiteman and his orchestra in the late 1920s, and gave Bing Crosby his initial fame. The "Newcomers of 1928" review opened on 28 February 1958 at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, Nevada. This review also starred Paul Whiteman, Buster Keaton, Rudy Vallée, Harry Richmond and Fifi D'Orsay. They played to sell-out audiences and were held over for many weeks. This review also played a six week review at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, with Butala being the only consistent Letterman. Barnett and Russell were replaced by Gary Clarke and Jerry Paul. When the review ended, Butala landed a job as singer/bass player in a lounge group, "Bill Norvas and the Upstarts", with Gary Clarke. After a few months, Clarke left the group and was replaced by Jim Pike. Pike and Butala decided to leave the Upstarts and resume the Lettermen although they had not yet decided to use the Lettermen name. Pike envisioned a group where each member was an excellent soloist as well as a competent group singer. Pike recommended the third Letterman should be Bob Engemann, a singer that Pike had met when he attended Brigham Young University a few years earlier. Both had come to Los Angeles, California, and sang together in different combinations until Engemann had go into the National Guard for 6 months. At that point, Pike joined Bill Norvis and met Butala. This combination first recorded in late 1959.
They secured a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records through Bob Engemann's older brother, Karl Engemann, who was a record producer there, and for whom Pike had released a record earlier called "Lucy D", which was not successful. Pike, Butala and Engemann as "The Lettermen" released two singles in 1960. The A-sides were "Two Hearts" and "There Hearts Were Full Of Spring". They were not successful. Karl Engemann moved on to Capitol Records as President of A&R. He got them out of their contract at Warner Bros., and made an appointment with Nick Venet, a producer at Capitol and they were signed.
There was another "Lettermen" group in the late 1950s and early 1960s that recorded for Liberty Records, (which was a major label at the time). They were an R&B group with five members, and their single was called "Hey Big Brain". But the "Lettermen" of Pike, Engemann and Butala had the first hit record, so they were entitled to exclusively use the "Lettermen" name. There was also a group in the mid 1950s called The Lettermen Trio, but had no record success.
The Lettermen were unknown until they signed with Capitol Records in 1961. Their first single for Capitol, "The Way You Look Tonight," succeeded on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, and their next, "When I Fall in Love," reached the Top 10 in late 1962. They had several other Top 10 hits, such as the 1965's, "Theme From A Summer Place". In late 1967 Bob Engemann resigned, and was replaced by Jim Pike's younger brother, Gary Pike. The hits continued with the 1968 medley "Goin' Out of My Head"/"Can't Take My Eyes Off You", and in 1968 with "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", plus 1969's "Hurt So Bad", which reached number 12. The last successful single was in 1972, "Love" a solo by Pike.
The Lettermen have had 32 consecutive Billboard Magazine chart albums, 11 gold records, five Grammy nominations, an Andy Award, and a Cleo Award. In 1976, Jim Pike left the group and sold the Lettermen name to Butala.
In 1981 Gary Pike left the Lettermen, and today Jim and Gary Pike, along with Ric de Azevedo, sing The Lettermen hits, billed as Reunion.
In 1961, The Lettermen started performing live concerts doing over 100 shows a year, an unbroken string that continues to the present now amounting to 46 years.
Over the decades, the group has had various line-ups, replacing members who left for various reasons with new people to maintain a trio. Tony Butala, who (as of 2007) is still a member, has stated that the group ethos is that of three strong soloists that harmonize, and that the group encourages individual singing and songwriting.
They pride themselves in welcoming audience member photographs during the show, unlike many recording acts.
Downtown
The Lettermen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can always go - downtown.
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know. - down town.
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city,
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty.
How can you lose?
You can forget all your troubles,
Forget all your cares.
So go - down town
Things'll be great when you're - down town.
No finer place for sure - down town,
Ev'rything's waiting for you. - Down town.
Don't hang around and let your problems surround you,
There are movie shows - down town,
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never close. - down town.
Just listen to the rythm of a gentle Bossa Nova,
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over.
Happy again.
The lights are much brighter there,
You can forget all your troubles,
Forget all your cares.
So go - down town
Where all the lights are bright - Down town,
Waiting for you, tonight - Down town,
You're gonna be all right now. - Down town.
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you.
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand
To guide them along,
So, maybe I'll see you there,
We can forget all our troubles,
Forget all our cares.
So go - down town
Things'll be great when you're - down town,
Don't wait a minute more - down town,
Ev'rything's waiting for you.
Down town, down town,
Down town, down town..
The Lettermen's song "Downtown" is an uplifting and comforting tune that encourages listeners to escape from their loneliness and worries by venturing into the lively city center. The lyrics emphasize the bustling energy and vibrant atmosphere found in downtown areas, with the intention of providing solace and distraction from life's troubles.
The opening verse acknowledges the feelings of isolation and loneliness that can arise when you are alone. The solution proposed by the song is to head downtown, where the noise and hustle and bustle can alleviate the weight of one's worries. The pulsating music of the city's traffic and the visually pleasing neon signs on the sidewalks serve as a tempo and visual distraction from one's troubles.
The chorus emphasizes the transformative power of downtown. The lights in the city are described as brighter, offering an escape from personal problems and cares. The encouragement to "forget all your troubles, forget all your cares" further emphasizes the ability of downtown to provide a temporary respite from everyday hardships. The repetition of the phrase "go downtown" reinforces the idea of taking action and seeking refuge where everything seems better.
In the second verse, the song suggests that downtown offers not only a distraction but also a sanctuary from problems. The mention of movie shows implies the availability of entertainment and diversion. Additionally, the lyric encourages the listener to explore lesser-known spots that never close, creating an air of excitement and possibility. The soothing and rhythmic Bossa Nova music is highlighted as a source of joy and potential connection with others, ultimately leading to happiness once again.
The bridge of the song introduces the idea that in the downtown scene, one may encounter someone who understands and supports them. It suggests the possibility of finding kindred spirits who share similar struggles and might benefit from extending a helping hand. The reassurance that "things'll be great when you're downtown" and the invitation to meet up communicate hope and a sense of togetherness in navigating life's challenges.
Overall, "Downtown" by The Lettermen encourages listeners to seek solace and a fresh perspective by immersing themselves in the vibrant world of the city center. It offers a temporary escape from loneliness, worries, and troubles, with the promise of finding happiness, support, and connection in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're alone and life is making you lonely,
When you find yourself in solitude and life brings you feelings of loneliness,
You can always go - downtown.
You have the option to visit the bustling city center known as downtown.
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
When you are burdened with concerns, the commotion and fast pace of life
Seems to help, I know. - down town.
Appears to provide solace and assistance, I assure you - in downtown.
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city,
Simply tune in to the melodies created by the vehicles in the urban environment,
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty.
Stay a little longer on the pavement adorned with attractive neon signs.
How can you lose?
How could you possibly fail or be defeated?
The lights much brighter there,
The illumination is significantly more intense in that place,
You can forget all your troubles,
You have the ability to put aside your worries,
Forget all your cares.
Disregard all your concerns.
So go - downtown
Therefore, proceed to the downtown area.
Things'll be great when you're - downtown.
Situations will become favorable when you are in downtown.
No finer place for sure - downtown,
Undoubtedly, there is no better location than downtown.
Ev'rything's waiting for you. - Down town.
Everything you need and desire is eagerly waiting for you in downtown.
Don't hang around and let your problems surround you,
Avoid lingering in a place where your problems can overwhelm you,
There are movie shows - downtown,
You can enjoy cinematic performances in the downtown area.
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Perhaps you are familiar with some small establishments to visit
Where they never close. - downtown.
Where these establishments never cease their operation, even in downtown.
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle Bossa Nova,
Simply pay attention to the beat of a soothing Bossa Nova song,
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over.
You will soon find yourself dancing alongside others before the night comes to an end.
Happy again.
Once more filled with joy and contentment.
The lights much brighter there,
The radiance is significantly more dazzling in that place,
You can forget all your troubles,
You have the ability to put aside your worries,
Forget all your cares.
Disregard all your concerns.
So go - downtown
Therefore, proceed to the downtown area.
Where all the lights are bright - Downtown,
Where every single light shines brilliantly - in downtown,
Waiting for you, tonight - Downtown,
Anticipating your arrival this very evening - in downtown,
You're gonna be all right now. - Downtown.
You will be perfectly fine from now on - in downtown.
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you.
You might discover a compassionate individual who can assist and comprehend you.
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand
Another person who possesses similar qualities to you and requires a delicate touch
To guide them along,
In order to steer them in the right direction,
So, maybe I'll see you there,
Thus, perhaps I will encounter you in that place,
We can forget all our troubles,
We can both disregard our worries,
Forget all our cares.
Disregard all our concerns.
So go - downtown
Therefore, proceed to the downtown area.
Things'll be great when you're - downtown,
Situations will become favorable when you are in downtown.
Don't wait a minute more - downtown,
Do not delay any longer - go downtown,
Ev'rything's waiting for you.
Every single thing is eagerly waiting for your arrival in downtown.
Down town, down town,
Downtown, downtown,
Down town, down town..
Downtown, downtown..
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TONY HATCH, JAMES CAUTY, BILL DRUMMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Hansen
Petula Clark would love this cover.