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.
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.
That's The Way It Is
The Manhattans Lyrics
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 ---
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 ---
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON PARKER, MORRIS LEVY, RAOUL CITA, RAOUL J CITA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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KMNKeyboardVault
John Williams can make anything sound like a millon bucks and Manhatten Transfer brings the NYC Rich voices to the wonderful music
zauriel1
THIS is my favorite jazz vocal group....their harmonies are unmatched by any other singing group out there....IF today's 'artists' using the term veeeeeerrrrry loosely, here, could remotely come close to being in the same 'city that holds the musical ballpark' the manhattan transfer is in, then good music would be heard on the radio again!!! Just, excellent!!!!
Ken Dec
Watched in awe when it first appeared on PBS in the 80s. Still unimaginably beautiful.
H gbdph
Utterly amazing. Thanks for sharing this gem in the treasure trove of ManTran songs
Michael Lazzeri
Saw this on TV -------------pure music magic ! RIP to all MT who have passed. -----------Folks, this was real music !
gendolad
Beautiful, so glad I found this one. Alan Paul looks like a young Pierce Brosnan. I love this video. What an incredible sound they had and still have,perfect harmony. Manhattan Transfer are like a cool summer breeze, romantic and incredibly sensuous.
David Weiß
One of the best Songs made ... ever !
AWESOME ❤️👌
Jimmy Clanton
I SO LOVE THIS !!!!!
Adrienne Scognamiglio
I love this song...saw them do it live this year. They are still as awesome as ever!
Eko Junor
Beautiful. This is one of their most underrated songs, in terms of radio airplay. Thanks for posting!