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.
Neither One Of Us
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's gotten to the point
Where we just can't fake it
For some ungodly reason
We just won't let it die
I guess neither one of us
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say good-bye
I keep wondering
Wondering
What I'm gonna do without you
And I guess you must be wondering the same thing too
So we go on
Go on together
Living a lie
Because I guess neither one of us
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say good-bye
Every time I find the nerve
Every time I find the nerve to say I'm leaving
Memories
Those old memories get in my way
Lord knows it's only me
Only know it's me
That I'm missing you
When it comes to saying good-bye
That a simple word that I just cannot say
There can be no way
There can be no way
This can have a happy ending
No, no
So we just go on
Hurting and pretending
Convincing ourselves to give it just one more try
Because I guess neither one of us
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say
Farewell my love
Goodbye
The Manhattans's song "Neither One Of Us" delves into the struggles of two people who know that their love has run its course, but they just can't seem to let go. The opening lines "It's sad to think we're not gonna make it, and it's gotten to the point where we just can't fake it" sets the mood for the song, highlighting the sadness and pain that the two are feeling. They know that their relationship is coming to an end, but for some reason, they won't let it die.
The lyrics continue to discuss how neither one of them wants to be the first to say goodbye. The fear of being alone, the memories of the good times they had, and the pain of letting go seem to be too much for them to bear. They continue to live in a lie, pretending that everything is okay, even though they both know that it's not.
The song is an emotional rollercoaster that depicts the pain and sadness of loving someone but knowing that it's time to let go. The emotions are so raw and intense that it's hard not to feel the pain that the two protagonists are feeling. The song is relatable to anyone who has gone through a breakup or has experienced the struggle of letting go of someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's sad to think we're not gonna make it
The situation where we won't be together anymore makes me feel unhappy.
And it's gotten to the point
Our relationship has reached a level where it can't be improved.
Where we just can't fake it
We are not able to pretend as if everything is okay.
For some ungodly reason
Though we don't know the exact reason why this is happening, we can feel that something is wrong.
We just won't let it die
We are still holding on to our relationship even though it's not working anymore.
I guess neither one of us
I think that both of us...
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say good-bye
...are afraid to be the first one to say goodbye.
I keep wondering
I keep thinking...
What I'm gonna do without you
...about what I am going to do if we're not together.
And I guess you must be wondering the same thing too
I believe that you are also thinking about the same thing.
So we go on
We keep doing the same thing...
Go on together
...with each other.
Living a lie
Even though we know that our relationship is not working, we still pretend as if everything is fine.
Every time I find the nerve
Whenever I muster the courage...
Every time I find the nerve to say I'm leaving
...to say that I am going to leave you.
Memories
The memories that we had when we were together...
Those old memories get in my way
...prevent me from leaving you.
Lord knows it's only me
I am the only one who knows...
Only know it's me
...that I am the one...
That I'm missing you
...who misses you.
When it comes to saying good-bye
When I have to say goodbye...
That a simple word that I just cannot say
...there is just no way I can say it.
There can be no way
I cannot accept that...
There can be no way
...there is no possibility...
This can have a happy ending
...that our situation can have a positive outcome.
No, no
Definitely not.
So we just go on
Therefore, we will just continue...
Hurting and pretending
...to hurt each other while pretending that everything is alright.
Convincing ourselves to give it just one more try
We encourage ourselves to try one more time even though we know it won't work.
Because I guess neither one of us
It's because both of us...
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say
...are scared to say it first.
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say
We both fear...
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say
...the first farewell.
Farewell my love
Goodbye, my love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES D. WEATHERLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind