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.
Reasons
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is this real
Temperatures rising, I don't want to feel
I'm in the wrong place to be real
Woahh and I'm; longing to love you
Just for a night,
Kissing and hugging and holding you tight
Please let me love you
Reasons, the reasons that we hear,
The reasons that we fear
Our feelings a-won't disappear
Oooh! And- after the love game has been played
All our illusions were just a parade
And all the reasons start to fade
LA-LA-LA
After all our reasons why
All the reasons were a why
After all the reasons lo-ove was left aside
And, longing to love you for one night
Please let me love you with all of my might, baaaaby
Oooohhh, baby!
Reasons, the reasons that we hear,
The reasons that we fear
Our feelings a-won't disappear
Oooh! And after the love games have been played
All our illusions were just a parade
And all the reasons start to fade
And, in the morning when I rise,
No longer feeling hynotized
For no reasons, our reasons, our reasons
Have no pri-ii-de
LA-LA-LA
After all the reasons why
All of the reasons were a lie
After all the reasons why lo-ove was left aside
Heeehhhhh, ooooh, yeaahhh, oohhh Baby,
I can't find the reasons
That my love won't disappear
Can't find the reasons
Why I love you ,my baby, my dear
Can't find the reasons
Wanna love you all night
Can't find the reasons
Gotta squeeze ya, real tight
Can't find the reasons
Baby- yeah,
For my tears
Can't find the reasons
Why I love ya
The Manhattans' song Reasons tells the story of someone who is craving physical intimacy with their lover, but struggles with the fear of it not being real or meaningful. The first verse portrays the singer's desire for physical intimacy, which they feel conflicted about due to their fears about whether it is real or just a result of their increased body temperature. They are in the wrong place to be real, suggesting that their environment is not conducive to real love or true intimacy. Despite this, they long to love their partner for even just one night in a real, deep, and meaningful way.
The chorus, Reasons, the reasons that we hear, the reasons that we fear, Our feelings a-won't disappear highlights the singer's internal struggle. They feel that there are various reasons that they hear or fear, which could prevent the feelings they have from being real or lasting. Despite these reasons, they know that they still feel their emotions deeply and that they will not simply disappear.
The second verse suggests that love, like a game, is often played with many illusions, and eventually, the reasons for playing start to fade. The bridge depicts the singer's frustration with not being able to find the reasons for their deep love for their partner or why their tears fall.
Overall, the song illustrates how desire for intimacy and love can be complicated by fear and uncertainty. Despite this, the singer knows that their feelings are real, deep, and profound.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, I'm craving your body,
I desire you and yearn for intimate touch.
Is this real
I question if this desire and attraction is authentic.
Temperatures rising, I don't want to feel
My physical attraction is intense and overwhelming, causing emotions I’m afraid to confront.
I'm in the wrong place to be real
I acknowledge that my current situation doesn’t support authentic emotions and connections.
Woahh and I'm; longing to love you
Despite the circumstances, I deeply yearn for intimate connection and emotion between us.
Just for a night,
I simply desire one intimate evening with you.
Kissing and hugging and holding you tight
I want to express closeness and intimacy with physical touch.
Please let me love you
I beg you to allow me to deeply care for you.
With all my might
I will put all of my effort and passion into this.
Reasons, the reasons that we hear,
Arguments and justifications we listen to and consider in our decisions.
The reasons that we fear
Reasons that evoke anxiety or uncertainty in our minds.
Our feelings a-won't disappear
Despite the reasons and fear, our emotions are persistent and won’t vanish.
Oooh! And- after the love game has been played
Once the excitement and initial stages of romance fade away.
All our illusions were just a parade
Our ideas and beliefs about love and relationships are not based in reality; just a show put on for appearance.
And all the reasons start to fade
The justifications and doubts we once had begin to diminish in relevance and importance.
In the morning when I rise,
The start of a new day.
No longer feeling hynotized
I’ve become disillusioned with my former illusions and romantic ideas.
For no reasons, our reasons, our reasons
Our justifications and arguments lose their significance and meaning over time.
Have no pri-ii-de
These reasons don’t hold the same strong emotions and significance in our current state.
I can't find the reasons
I’m unable to discover the logic or argument behind my intense feelings and attraction.
That my love won't disappear
My strong love and desire for you doesn’t diminish over time or changes in circumstance.
Why I love you ,my baby, my dear
The underlying rationale or logic for my intense love and passion for you.
Wanna love you all night
I want to express my love and desire for you all throughout the night.
Gotta squeeze ya, real tight
I want to express my physical adoration and attraction by holding you close and tight.
For my tears
The reason behind the emotional tears I shed for you.
Why I love ya
The underlying reason or rationale for my intense and persistent love for you.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Stepney, Philip James Bailey, Glenn White Maurice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind