THE MANHATTANS were originally: Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Richard Taylor, Kenny Kelley, George "Smitty" Smith and Sonny Bivins. The quintet reportedly took it's name not from the big city across the water from New Jersey, but from the cocktail known as the Manhattan featuring whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Still, the name suggested class, something the Manhattans have epitomized throughout their long career.
Between 1970 and 1973 they recorded for Starday/King Records , and by 1973 they were signed to industry behemoth Columbia where their career finally took off.
After 10 years of lower charting singles, the 1976 hit "Kiss and Say Goodbye" was the group's biggest hit to date and led to a performance at Jimmy carter's 1977 inaugural. In 1980 they won a Grammy for Shining Star written and produced by Leo Graham. In the mid 1980's female singer Regina Belle was briefly added to the lineup, singing on the Bobby Womack-produced single, "Where Did We Go Wrong" (a duet with Gerald Alston). She also contributed to The Manhattans 1986 Columbia Records album, "Back To Basics" before signing as a solo artist.
Two versions of The Manhattans have soldiered on to today. One lead by original member Sonny Bivins, and another created after a long hiatus, when founding member Blue Lovett began working with former lead Gerald Alston for a late career touring resurgence. Alston also appeared on Wu-Tang Clan's song "Stick Me For My Riches" in 2007.
In 2013, "Original" member Edward "Sonny" Bivins group features "Sonny" Bivins, Lee Williams, Charles Hardy, Harsey Hemphill and Alvin Pazant. In 2013, The Manhattans CD single "Just For Tonite" was released by Westwood Music Group. Currently, the group is recording material for a 2014 release. The Manhattans is a Registered U.S. Trademark owned by Manhattan Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I Call It Love
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call it what you want
But I call it love
(I call it love)
You can say,
You can say what you want, baby
But I still say it's love
You can sing it in a song
(Sing it in a song)
But I still sing out love
Whether right or wrong baby
(You can tell me baby)
I still say it's love
(I say it's love)
(Let it be)
Let it be
(Oh, let it be)
Let it be
I know what's in my heart
(I know what's in my heart)
(I'm the one)
I'm the only one
(The only one)
No, I'm the only one
Who can tell it,
Who can tell it apart
(Infatuation)
You can say it's infatuation
(Ohhh)
But I still say it's like love
(No no no no no no no)
You can laugh,
You can laugh if you wanna baby
(Hop, hop, wooo)
But I still cry out love
(Ahhhh)
Yes, I still say it's love
Baby, baby
(Ahhhh)
Yes it's love
It's got to be love baby,
(Do, wooo)
You know because I feel it
(It's love)
Oh deep down in my bones
(Do, wooo)
It's got to be love, love, love
(It's love)
Love, love
It's got to be love baby, baby
(Do, wooo)
It's got to be real love
The song "I Call It Love" by The Manhattans speaks about love in a very personal way. The song's lyrics express the belief that no matter what outsiders may say or think, the singer knows what he is feeling for his partner and he calls it love. The use of the phrase "call it what you want" implies that people may call it different things, such as infatuation, but to him, it is love. The repetition of "do woo" creates a romantic atmosphere that goes along with the message of the song.
The line "I know what's in my heart" shows that the singer is confident in his feelings and is sure that what he feels for his partner is true love. The chorus that repeats "Let it be" signifies that the singer does not need approval or validation from others because he knows what he feels, and that is enough for him. He emphasizes that he is the only one who knows what it is like to be in love with his partner, and therefore he can confidently call it love.
Overall, the lyrics of the song bring a positive view of love and self-confidence. It tells us that love is a feeling that is different for everyone, and it is up to us to define and express our own feelings of love. It conveys the message that one's own feelings and happiness should matter more than what others think or say.
Line by Line Meaning
Call it what you want
You can use any term to describe this feeling
But I call it love
I personally refer to it as love
(I call it love)
This is the name I give to this emotion
You can say,
Others may express a different viewpoint
You can say what you want, baby
You have the freedom to voice your opinion
But I still say it's love
I stand firmly by my belief that it's love
(I say it's love)
This is my stated belief
You can sing it in a song
You can express it through music
(Sing it in a song)
This is a possible way to express the feeling
But I still sing out love
I personally sing about love
Whether right or wrong baby
Regardless of whether or not it's accepted or appropriate
(You can tell me baby)
Feel free to share your own insights
I still say it's love
I maintain that it's love
(I say it's love)
This is my point of view
(Let it be)
Allow it to be, don't interfere
Let it be
Leave it alone, don't attempt to change it
(Oh, let it be)
This is a plea to allow it to continue
I know what's in my heart
I have a clear understanding of my emotions
(I know what's in my heart)
This is my personal conviction
(I'm the one)
I'm the only person who can determine this
I'm the only one
There's no one else who can decide for me
Who can tell it,
It's difficult for anyone else to recognize this feeling
Who can tell it apart
It's challenging for anyone else to differentiate it from other feelings
(Infatuation)
This is another term that's sometimes used
You can say it's infatuation
You might describe it using this word
(Ohhh)
This is a sound expressing disagreement
But I still say it's like love
I believe it's similar to love
(No no no no no no no)
This is a sound of denial or rejection
You can laugh,
You might find my claim amusing
You can laugh if you wanna baby
You're free to express your amusement
(Hop, hop, wooo)
This is a sound expressing joy or excitement
But I still cry out love
I continue to express my belief that it's love
(Ahhhh)
This is a sound conveying strong emotion
Yes, I still say it's love
I remain convinced that it's love
Baby, baby
An expression of affectionate address
(Ahhhh)
This is a sound conveying strong emotion
Yes it's love
This is my definitive conclusion
It's got to be love baby,
Without doubt, it's love
(Do, wooo)
This is a sound expressing joy or excitement
You know because I feel it
I'm confident because of my emotions
(It's love)
This is my point of view
Oh deep down in my bones
This is a feeling that I'm sure of
(Do, wooo)
This is a sound expressing joy or excitement
It's got to be love, love, love
There's no doubt in my mind about this
(It's love)
This is my interpretation
Love, love
This is the essence of the feeling
It's got to be love baby, baby
Without question, it's love
(Do, wooo)
This is a sound expressing joy or excitement
It's got to be real love
This is a genuine feeling
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marshall Tooson
George Smitty Smith hit a grand slam with this one so sad he passed away too soon but he's in heaven and I'm on earth enjoying what he left for all of us Thank You Smitty this is one of the best songs I've ever heard
Diane Parker
When I listen to these songs it brings back wonderful memories.
saabor
A classic from the original manhattans! Thanks for posting
Dennis Parks
the other version of this song is also slow and is by a group called the Pretenders. And there's a fast version of this song by another group called....the Pretenders. Go figure......
pghpookie
glad you liked this. i love all the Manhattans things, 60's and 70's. guess i'm a little biased towards the 60's stuff. one of my great memories of HS is having a smoke with these guys behind the local roller rink. OK, i was 16, and shouldn't have been smokin', but what the hell, it was great.
008BUCKINSSR
this is one awesome tune.
Patrice-Maria Love
One of my favorites and is the favorite one by this group! I play this a lot!
Melissa Ramirez
Oh my Nothing but BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES BEHIND THIS SONG IT WILL ALWAYS PUT THAT BEAUTIFUL FEELING IN THE DEEP IN MY Stomach ...ALL JOY !!!! I KNEW IT WAS BUT YET SO SOON ...GOD SENT 💋😎
Kathy Gaither
Love this.
Myra Moody
My#1 SONG BY THE MANHATTANS!!<3