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.
Turn Around Look at Me
The Lettermen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn around, look at me..
There is someone watching your footsteps
Turn around, look at me..
There is someone, who really loves you...
Here's my heart, in my hand..
Turn around, Look at me..
Understand,...
To stand beside you..
Turn around, look at me..
There's someone to love and guide you,
Turn around, look at me...
I've been waiting,
But I'll wait forever..
For you to come to me...
Look at someone, who really loves you..
Turn around, look at me...
In The Lettermen's song Turn Around Look at Me, the lyrics speak to a person who is being silently observed - possibly from afar - by someone who loves them deeply. The song's first verse opens with an ominous warning, almost as though the person might be in danger, as the singer urges them to turn around and look at the person who is watching their every move. As the song continues, the lyrics reveal that this silent observer is someone who loves the person deeply, and who is waiting for them to turn around and see them, to understand that they are there for them and to take their heart in hand.
The tone of the song is gentle and contemplative, with a slow, soothing melody that suggests a sense of longing and yearning. The lyrics reflect this by focusing on the idea of waiting and the hope that the person being watched will eventually turn around and acknowledge the love that is being offered to them. While it's never clear exactly who the song is addressed to or who the singer is supposed to be, the lyrics manage to convey a sense of intimacy and connection that feels deeply personal.
Overall, Turn Around Look at Me is a song that speaks to the themes of unrequited love, hope, and longing. It's a simple, straightforward ballad that manages to convey a great deal of emotion and meaning through its lyrics, and its gentle melody and soft vocal harmonies make it a classic example of the kind of love song that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
There is someone walking behind you..
You are not alone and there is someone who follows and supports you.
Turn around, look at me..
Take notice of me and recognize my presence and affection for you.
There is someone watching your footsteps
Someone cares about your well-being and is vigilant about your safety and progress.
There is someone, who really loves you...
You are valued and cherished by someone who has deep feelings of love and devotion towards you.
Here's my heart, in my hand..
This is me offering my innermost emotions and affections to you.
Turn around, Look at me..
I implore you to face me and give me a chance to show my love to you.
Understand,...
Comprehend the significance and sincerity of my words and actions.
That there's someone..
Realize that there is someone out there who is willing to love and care for you.
To stand beside you..
I am ready and willing to support and aid you in any circumstances.
Turn around, look at me..
I urge you to acknowledge my presence and my desire to love and support you.
There's someone to love and guide you,
You will never have to feel alone, as there is someone who will love and guide you through life.
I've been waiting,
I have been patiently waiting for you to see and acknowledge my love for you.
But I'll wait forever..
My love for you is endless and I will be here, waiting for you, for as long as it takes.
For you to come to me...
I am waiting for the day when you will finally return my love and come to me.
Look at someone, who really loves you..
Direct your attention to me, someone who genuinely cares and loves you.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY NEAL CAPEHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind