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.
If My Heart Could Speak
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then it could tell you
How I feel about you
And it's not that I don't care
But my lips won't dare
Say what I want them to
If my lonely heart could speak
Ahhhh You'd be surprised at
What it would say to you
Yes if my heart could speak
I would have no problem
Everything I could explain
Oh and if I do you wrong
Wouldn't take to long
For my heart to know I caused you pain
If my lonely heart could speak
If my lonely heart could speak
Ahhhh darling you'd, you'd be surprised
At what it would say to you
I've tried so hard to find the words
Oooo but my stubborn heart
Just remains...
Bashful, speechless, and full of love
Yes bashful, speechless and unchanined
But hearts weren't made that way
So my lips will have to say
What I want, what I want you to know
Ooooh and it's no secret then
I'll always want you near
Cause I love you, yes I love you so
Though my lonely heart can't speak
And my lips are there released
I'm telling you that you'd, you'd be surprised
At what it would say to you
If my lonely heart could speak
(If my heart could speak my darling)
If my lonely heart could speak
(It would tell you, it would tell you how I feel about you)
If my lonely heart could speak
(It would tell you how I want you and need you)
If my lonely heart could speak
(It would say these words darling)
If my lonely heart could speak
(It would say I love you, I love you, I love you)
The lyrics of The Manhattan's song If My Heart Could Speak reflects on the love that the singer feels for someone special but is too shy to express with words. The song expresses the irony of how one's own heart can be full of love and tenderness, yet the voice fails to articulate their emotions. The song highlights the inner struggle of the singer, who is unable to speak out their feelings towards their love interest, and instead, wishes that their heart could speak to reveal everything they hold within.
The repeated phrase "If my lonely heart could speak" emphasizes the isolation of the singer's shy voice, which renders them silenced in front of their beloved. The lyrics also reveal that the singer is afraid of causing pain and heartbreak to the love interest. The song culminates in the realization that although the heart cannot speak, the singer still wants to express their love with their voice, and they will never shy away from having their love unrequited or the person they love being far away.
Overall, the song's lyrics explain the inner turmoil of a person who is desperately in love but finds it hard to express their true feelings. The song's use of soft and subtle vocals over calming music adds to its emotional resonance.
Line by Line Meaning
If my heart could speak
If I could fully express my emotions to you without hesitation or fear
Then it could tell you
I have deep emotions towards you that I wish I could convey
How I feel about you
My emotions towards you are complex and difficult to describe
And it's not that I don't care
My reservedness doesn't mean that I don't have strong feelings for you
But my lips won't dare
I'm too afraid to speak my mind
Say what I want them to
I can't bring myself to vocalize my desires and feelings
If my lonely heart could speak
If only my heart could reveal the depth and intensity of my emotions
You'd be surprised at
The level of my love exceeds what you might expect
What it would say to you
If I could express my emotions, you would be moved by the sincerity and honesty
I would have no problem
It would be easy for me to express my feelings if given the ability
Everything I could explain
I would be able to express every detail of my emotions and love for you
Oh and if I do you wrong
If I ever hurt you, even unintentionally
Wouldn't take to long
It wouldn't take me long
For my heart to know I caused you pain
For me to realize the hurt that I caused you
Ahhhh darling you'd, you'd be surprised
You would be taken aback by the intensity and depth of my feelings
I've tried so hard to find the words
I have struggled to express my emotions to you
But my stubborn heart
My heart is resistant to easy expression and vulnerable emotions
Just remains...
The difficulty in expressing my emotions lingers
Bashful, speechless, and full of love
I'm shy and tongue-tied around you, though my love for you is plentiful
But hearts weren't made that way
It is not natural for hearts to be reticent and closed off
So my lips will have to say
I will have to overcome my hesitation and express myself through spoken words
What I want, what I want you to know
I will try to communicate my true feelings to you
Ooooh and it's no secret then
I want to be honest with you
I'll always want you near
I will always want to be close to you
Cause I love you, yes I love you so
My love for you is profound and genuine
Though my lonely heart can't speak
Even though my heart is often hard to understand and express
And my lips are there released
Even if I manage to speak my mind
I'm telling you that you'd, you'd be surprised
You would be amazed by the true depths of my emotions
It would say I love you, I love you, I love you
If my heart could speak, it would tell you how much I love you
Writer(s): Eddie Jones, Kenneth Kelly
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Teresa Tafoya Escobar
This song helped me gt through the Hardest thing I faced .Losing my Husband of 40yrs .We always had the best time listening to Oldies .'Rest Easy Richard '
Cynthia E. Rowan
These are the great great messages of love that touch hearts and minds like mine. Thank you Manhattens for the love songs...and the memories
Gary Miller
Gv
Enrique Montes
simply amazing wow!!!! this person was really singing from the heart. dang i got chills.
James Pickett
I still love this song the words are powerful
BROOKLYN'SOWN LADYDOTDAVIS
I was 7 years old when this album came out, and I lived music thanks to my grandparents and uncles and aunties . . . the music never left me, which is whythese songs come to my heart 50 years later.Β WOWWWW!Β I am so grateful for you and other lovers and keepers of old school music!!Β BRAVO!!
Melvin Pruitt
Oldskool 4evah!!!ππΎ
Melvin Pruitt
They played at my high school back in 78....incredible....them and Black ivory.
1956Arlene
One of mine ( Arlene) and Dennisβs songs. After 48 years of a GOOD HAPPY MARRIAGE, this Songs is still so Special to us Both. God is so Good to us π©ββ€οΈβπ¨πβ₯οΈ
Ralph CalderonJr
This song is very deep and sincere.
Itβs for those couples who have been blessed in a marriage for 50 plus years. They too remember this song. God bless those that are in a harmonious relationship. Boricua Ralphie 68 years young loves Soul Music and of course my Salsa. Peace Love and SalSoul. God Bless.