The group was formed in Harlem, New York City in 1964 as a trio called the Poets, composed of lead singer Donald McPherson, Luther Simmons, Jr., and Panama-born Tony Silvester. They made their first recordings for Leiber & Stoller's Red Bird label, but soon changed their name to the Insiders and signed with RCA Records. In 1968, after a couple of singles, they changed their name once again, this time permanently, to the Main Ingredient. The name came from a Coke bottle.
They then teamed up with record producer/arranger Bert DeCoteaux. Under his direction, the Main Ingredient reached the R&B Top 30 for the first time in 1970 with "You've Been My Inspiration". A cover of The Impressions' "I'm So Proud" broke the Top 20, and "Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love)" went into the Top 10. In 1971, they scored again, with the McPherson-penned black-power anthem "Black Seeds Keep on Growing," but tragedy struck that year. Don McPherson, who had suddenly taken ill with leukemia, died unexpectedly. Stunned, Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons re-grouped with new lead singer Cuba Gooding, Sr., who had served as a backing vocalist on some of their previous recordings and had filled in on tour during McPherson's brief illness.
The Gooding era began auspiciously with the million-selling smash "Everybody Plays the Fool", which hit number two R&B and number three pop to become the group's biggest hit. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in September 1972. The accompanying album, Bitter Sweet, became their first to hit the Top 10 on the R&B album chart; its follow-up, 1973's Afrodisiac, featured several songs written or co-written by Stevie Wonder, although it did not produce any huge successes on the singles charts. They peaked at number eight on the R&B chart in 1974 with "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely", which sold over a million copies,and also reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The track peaked at number twenty-seven in the UK Singles Chart in July 1974, although it was their only chart presence in the UK. In 1975, the group recorded several songs co-written by Leon Ware, including the R&B Top Ten "Rolling Down a Mountainside". By this point, however, Tony Silvester was harboring other ambitions; he released a solo album called Magic Touch that year, and left the group to form a production team with DeCoteaux. The two of them scored a Top 10 Pop and R&B smash with their production of Ben E. King's hit "Supernatural Thing" in 1975.
Silvester was replaced by Carl Tompkins, and Gooding departed for a solo career on Motown in 1977, which produced two albums; Simmons, meanwhile, left the music industry to work as a stockbroker. Gooding, Silvester and Simmons reunited as the Main Ingredient in 1979, and recorded two more albums, 1980's Ready for Love and 1981's I Only Have Eyes for You (the latter featured a minor hit in "Evening of Love"). The trio reunited for a second time in 1986, but their Zakia single "Do Me Right" flopped, and Simmons returned to his day job. He was replaced by Jerome Jackson on the 1989 Polydor album I Just Wanna Love You. In the wake of Aaron Neville's Top Ten revival of "Everybody Plays the Fool", Gooding resumed his solo career and issued his third album in 1993. Silvester and Simmons re-formed the Main Ingredient in 1999 with new lead singer Carlton Blount; this line-up recorded Pure Magic in 2001.
Tony Silvester died after a six-year struggle with multiple myeloma on November 27, 2006, at the age of 65, and original member Luther Simmons retired shortly thereafter. Cuba Gooding Sr. was found dead in his car on April 20, 2017. The current line-up of the group consists of Jerome Jackson, and Stanley Alston.
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
The Main Ingredient Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But some don't know how to handle it
Always reachin' out in vain
Just taking the things not worth having but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
They say your style of life's a drag
And that you must go other places
But just don't you feel too bad
When you get fooled by smiling faces but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Everybody needs a change
A chance to check out the new
But you're the only one to see
The changes you take yourself through but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, pretty mama
'Cause I'll be standing in the wings
When you check it out
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Yeah
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
The Main Ingredient's "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" is a reassurance to a friend or loved one who seems lost or insecure. The lyrics describe a person who is confused and constantly searching for something, but keeps coming up empty-handed. The singer urges this person not to worry because they will be there on the sidelines to support them.
The song highlights the idea that everybody goes through trials and tribulations in their life, and it's not always easy to find the right path. Sometimes people are easily swayed by others or feel like they need to do certain things to be accepted. But the singer reminds us that it's important to trust in ourselves and not worry too much about what others think.
Overall, the song is a heartwarming reminder to stay true to oneself and not be swayed by external pressure. It's a message of support and compassion that anyone can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's got a thing
Everyone has their own unique qualities or problems.
But some don't know how to handle it
Some people struggle to deal with their own problems and difficulties.
Always reachin' out in vain
These people are constantly trying to find solutions, but they are unsuccessful.
Just taking the things not worth having but
They settle for bad solutions that make their problems worse.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't stress, it will all be okay.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
Don't worry, I've got your back.
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
I'll be there for you when you need me.
When you check it out
When you figure out your problems or situation.
They say your style of life's a drag
Other people criticize you for the way you live.
And that you must go other places
They suggest that you need to leave your current situation to be happy.
But just don't you feel too bad
Don't be too upset by their critique or suggestions.
When you get fooled by smiling faces but
When someone tricks you or takes advantage of you with a friendly demeanor.
When you get it off your trip
When you finally get clarity or figure things out.
Everybody needs a change
Everyone desires a new or different experience.
A chance to check out the new
An opportunity to experience something different.
But you're the only one to see
Only you can understand or truly know how you feel or what you need.
The changes you take yourself through but
The changes you make in your life and the process you go through to achieve them.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, pretty mama
Don't worry, everything will be okay, my dear.
'Cause I'll be standing in the wings
I'll be there on the sidelines, ready to support you.
Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Don't stress or panic.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't worry, my sweet.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BillyBajaBlast
This is so underrated
Greg C. Bieg
Great memories...
MissNisha B
This ! đđŸđșđŸđđŸ
Expat Marc
RIP brother.
koollatter
RIP Cuba Gooding, Sr. (1944 - 2017)