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.
Evening Of Love
The Main Ingredient Lyrics
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Our love has been reborn again
Close the door come inside
Take my hand drink some wine with me
I've been waiting all day, to get you here with me this way
You don't ever have to leave
I've got nothing up my sleeve this evening
We're gonna stay inside,
While the moon is high,
I'll take care of you
We're gonna have
An evening of lovin'
Me and you
Evening of lovin'
Made for two
Evening of lovin'
And I promise you
(Hey) Preaching time is through
And I know you might wonderin' what we gonna do
What we gonna do
You have nothing to fear
I got everything you need right here
The winds gonna blow
But we don't have to go no-no to the disco
I got a warm bed for two
And I know I'm man enough for you
We're gonna stay inside, 'til our clothes get dry
While the moon is high, I'll take care of you
We're gonna have
An evening of lovin'
Me and you
Evening of lovin'
Made for two
Evening of lovin' (baby)
And I promise you
Just you and me together
I don't care about the weather (baby, no no)
Me and you by the fireplace
Such a pretty smile on your face
Come on take my hand,
won't you let me be your man (baby baby baby)
Me and you
Made for two, honey
I don't care about the weather
Just as long as we're together, together
All night long
The feeling's strong, baby
Not this evening baby, come here girl
(Aaah, it's rainin' like cats and dogs out there,
but come on over here and get your … that's it)
Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely. No, no!
Don't want to be lonely, this evening
Not this evening, baby, not this evening, no
Don't want to be lonely
Take my hand, I'm your man, don't you understand
Feelin' good baby, like I should
Nothing but good lovin' this evening
I'm you man, understand how I love you
Feelin' good
Lovin, Lovin, Lovin, Lovin, …
The Main Ingredient's "Evening of Love" is a love song that suggests intimacy between lovers. The lyrics signify that there has been previous pain in the relationship, but now the hurt is gone, and their love is reborn again. The singer invites their partner into their home for a night of romance. The chorus is a promise to spend an unforgettable evening with each other in the comfort of their home, where they will dance and make love all night long. The lyrics emphasize that this is a romantic night, too wet and cold to go out anywhere, so they stay inside where it is warm and cozy. The song implies that the night's satisfaction will be all but guaranteed by the love they share.
The first verse, "Now that the hurt is gone, our love has been reborn again," refers to the couple's relationship, which has overcome an obstacle, and they are now ready to move forward together. The second verse, "Preaching time is through, and I know you might wonderin' what we gonna do," makes it clear that the evening's purpose is to reaffirm their love for each other in a sensual and romantic manner. The third verse, "Just you and me together, I don't care about the weather," is a declaration of how much he loves being around her.
In conclusion, "Evening of Love" is a sweet and romantic song that encourages intimacy and trust between lovers. The lyrics suggest that love can conquer all if given a chance, and it is worth all the effort.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that the hurt is gone
Our love has overcome past troubles and is now stronger.
Our love has been reborn again
Our love has been rekindled and is now anew.
Close the door come inside
Enter into my sincere love and protection.
Take my hand drink some wine with me
Let's enjoy each other's company and strengthen our relationship.
I've been waiting all day, to get you here with me this way
I have been eagerly anticipating this moment with you all day long.
You don't ever have to leave
Stay with me and enjoy the warmth of my love forever.
I've got nothing up my sleeve this evening
I have genuine intentions and no hidden agenda this evening.
We're gonna stay inside, 'til our clothes get dry
We will seize this moment of love and won't let anything else intervene.
While the moon is high, I'll take care of you
During this lovely evening, I will care and cater to your every need.
We're gonna have An evening of lovin' Me and you Evening of lovin' Made for two Evening of lovin' And I promise you
We will have a beautiful evening filled with love and commitment just for us, and I promise you this.
(Hey) Preaching time is through
I won't say anything more; let my actions and love speak for themselves.
And I know you might wonderin' what we gonna do What we gonna do You have nothing to fear
I know you may be curious about our next steps, but you have nothing to worry about; we're in this together.
I got everything you need right here
I have all the love and care you could want or need right here with me.
The winds gonna blow But we don't have to go no-no to the disco
Although things around us may change, we won't let the changing environment affect our love.
I got a warm bed for two And I know I'm man enough for you
I have a loving and warm heart to share with you, and I am confident in my love for you.
Just you and me together I don't care about the weather (baby, no no)
We're in it together, and nothing else around us matters - not even the weather.
Me and you by the fireplace Such a pretty smile on your face Come on take my hand, won't you let me be your man (baby baby baby)
We will cozy up together by the fireplace, and your lovely smile makes me want to be your loving partner for life.
Me and you Made for two, honey I don't care about the weather Just as long as we're together, together All night long The feeling's strong, baby
With you by my side, we were made for each other. It doesn't matter what happens around us as long as we are together, together. Our love will remain strong throughout the night.
Not this evening baby, come here girl (Aaah, it's rainin' like cats and dogs out there, but come on over here and get your … that's it) Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely. No, no! Don't want to be lonely, this evening Not this evening, baby, not this evening, no Don't want to be lonely
It's raining heavily outside, but I don't want to spend this evening alone. You're the one I want to spend my evening with, and I won't be lonely with you by my side at all.
Take my hand, I'm your man, don't you understand
I am here for you, and I am always ready to hold your hand and make you feel loved and appreciated.
Feelin' good baby, like I should
I feel really good and happy because I'm with you.
Nothing but good lovin' this evening
This evening is all about spreading and experiencing the wonderful love we share with each other.
I'm you man, understand how I love you
I am your loving partner who cares deeply for you, and I hope you know this.
Lovin, Lovin, Lovin, Lovin, …
This is just an expression of how much love we have and want to share with each other.
Contributed by Kayla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.