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.
Searching for Love
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got your family and they need you there
Though I've tried to resist being last on your list
But no other man's gonna do
So I'm saving all my love for you
It's not very easy living all alone
My friends try and tell me find a man of my own
'Cause I'd rather be home feeling blue
So I'm saving all my love for you
You used to tell me we'd run away together
Love gives you the right to be free
You said be patient just wait a little longer
But that's just an old fantasy
I've got to get ready just a few minutes more
Gonna get that old feeling when you walk through that door
'Cause tonight is the night for feeling alright
We'll be making love the whole night through
So I'm saving all my love for you
Yes I'm saving all my love
Yes I'm saving all my love for you
No other woman is gonna love you more
'Cause tonight is the night that I'm feeling alright
We'll be making love the whole night through
So I'm saving all my love
Yeah I'm saving all my lovin'
Yes I'm saving all my love for you
For you
The Manhattan Transfer's Love for Sale is a song written by Cole Porter in 1930 that speaks about the prostitution and the commercialisation of love, depicting it as a service that can be sold to anyone regardless of the buyer's motives. The song is a sarcastic take on the concept of love as it is offered for sale just like any other commodity in a market, with the singer serving as the salesperson. In the first verse, the singer advertises young love that is fresh and unspoiled, and even the slightly soiled one, implying that every form of love can be bought. The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of commercialization of love, asking who is willing to pay the price for love that is being offered for sale, and who would like to sample the supply.
The second verse of the song depicts the singer's refusal to glorify love's emotions and feelings, and instead, he chooses to show off his experience in dealing with love. He compares himself with poets and claims to have known every kind of love better than them, be it old, new, or every love but true. The final chorus repeats the theme of love as a good that can be bought, as the singer invites the listener to follow and climb the stairs if they wish to buy his wares.
Line by Line Meaning
Love for sale
Selling the emotion of love for money
Advertising young love for sale
Promoting fresh love for sale
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
Selling unadulterated love
Love that's only slightly soiled
Selling love that has been slightly tainted
Love - yes come get my love because it's right here for sale
Inviting buyers to purchase love
Who will buy
Asking who will purchase love
Who would like to sample my supply
Asking who would like to try the available love
Who's prepared to pay the price
Asking who is willing to pay for love
For a trip to paradise
Offering the experience of being in love as a trip to paradise
Love for sale
Selling the emotion of love for money
Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way
Dismissing the romanticized way poets talk about love
I've known every type of love better far than they
Claiming to have experienced more types of love than poets have
If you want the thrill of love,
Offering the excitement of being in love
I've been through the mill of love
Claiming to have had many experiences with love
Old love, new love, every love but true
Claiming to have experienced various types of love, except true love
Love for sale
Selling the emotion of love for money
Advertising young love for sale
Promoting fresh love for sale
If you want to buy my wares
Inviting buyers to purchase love
Follow me and climb the stairs
Leading buyers to the place where love is sold
Love for sale
Selling the emotion of love for money
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerry Goffin, Michael Masser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind