A long running male vocal group from Jersey City, New Jersey, with roots i… Read Full Bio ↴A long running male vocal group from Jersey City, New Jersey, with roots in the doo-wop era. They first formed as the Manhattans, circa 1963, and hit the charts on Carnival Records in the mid 60's, maintaining chart popularity well into the the 1980's when their hit "Shining Star" topped the charts.

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.

It's The Only Way
The Manhattans Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I still remember the day that we met
Your smile is something I'll never forget
And since that day my love grows and grows
And that's the way it goes

The way it goes...
I spent a lifetime just waiting for you
But from now on dear my searching is through

For you have made all my dreams come true
And that's the way it goes

From out of nowhere you came into view
Now I'm completely in love with you
You walked right in, my heart walked out
You took its place without doubt

Oh won't you please open your heart to me
For since I've known you, you're all that I see
You are the one love that my heart has chosen

That's the way it goes -
It goes ---

Overall Meaning

The Manhattans's It's The Only Way is a love song that expresses the deep feelings and emotions of the singer towards his lover. The opening verses reveal that the singer vividly remembers the day he met his lover and was struck by her beautiful smile, which he can never forget. The affection he feels for her has been growing stronger since then and he acknowledges that this is just the way it goes. The chorus emphasizes the singer's journey towards finding his true love, and how he spent his entire lifetime just waiting for her. The lyrics suggest that the singer has finally found the love of his life and he no longer needs to search for her.

The second verse explains how the singer met his lover unexpectedly. However, he has now fallen head over heels in love with her and his heart belongs to her. The lyrics suggest that this new love has replaced his old one without doubt. In the third verse, the singer pleads with his lover to open up her heart to him, as she is now the only one that he sees and has chosen to love.

The song is melodious and heartfelt. The lyrics are an expression of the ups and downs of a romantic relationship, and the need to find that one special person to share your life with. The Manhattans's music resonates with people from all walks of life, and their songs are timeless classics that have crossed multiple generations.

Line by Line Meaning

I still remember the day that we met
I can never forget the day we met

Your smile is something I'll never forget
Your smile is forever etched in my memory

And since that day my love grows and grows
From the day we met till now, my love for you keeps getting stronger

And that's the way it goes
That's just how it is

I spent a lifetime just waiting for you
I waited for you my whole life

But from now on dear my searching is through
But now, my search is over because I found you

For you have made all my dreams come true
You have fulfilled all my dreams

And that's the way it goes
That's just how it is

From out of nowhere you came into view
You appeared out of nowhere

Now I'm completely in love with you
Now, I am deeply in love with you

You walked right in, my heart walked out
You came in and my heart left