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.
We Made It
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I ever thought of lying I'd rather be dying instead
And maybe you'll remember
The last time you called me to say we were through
How it took a million tears just to prove they all were for you
But those days are through
Cause it wouldn't have made any difference
If you loved me
How could you love me
When it wouldn't really make any difference
If you really loved me
You just didn't love me
Cause I know of hundreds of times I could be
In the most unfaithful arms that you always picture me
Well maybe you'll remember
That though I can't always show proof I was true
No one else could change my mind or stop me coming home to you
But those days are through
[Chorus]
Enough to believe me
Enough not to leave me
Oh, enough not to look for reason to be unhappy with me
And make me regret ever wanting you
[Chorus: x2]
The Manhattan Transfer's song "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" is a soulful narrative about the end of a relationship where one partner is accused of infidelity. The singer reminisces about a past conversation where they promised not to lie and how their partner had once threatened to leave them for someone else. However, the singer justifies their fidelity by stating that they could have easily cheated hundreds of times, but they always chose to come back to their partner. Despite having remained loyal, the relationship still ended, and the singer believes that their partner never really loved them and that whether they did or not, it wouldn't have made any difference.
On one hand, it's a song about relationships, but on another, it's also about trust, the importance of open communication, and how accusations of infidelity can cause irreparable damage to a relationship. The song's chorus, "Cause it wouldn't have made any difference if you loved me," highlights the fact that love alone can't keep a relationship afloat if trust is broken.
The song's intense emotion and heart-wrenching lyrics are supported by the vocal harmonies of The Manhattan Transfer, which creates a perfect blend of soul and pop music. Overall, "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" is a compelling and poignant composition that speaks to anyone who has experienced the pain of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember the last time I said
Do you recall the previous time I mentioned
If I ever thought of lying I'd rather be dying instead
I would prefer death over lying, if ever the thought occurred to me
And maybe you'll remember
Perhaps you will recollect
The last time you called me to say we were through
When you called me to inform that we were finished
How it took a million tears just to prove they all were for you
It required countless tears to prove they were shed for you
But those days are through
However, those times have come to an end
Cause it wouldn't have made any difference
Since there would have been no effect
If you loved me
Even if you had love for me
How could you love me
How was it possible for you to love me
When it wouldn't really make any difference
When it would not truly make an impact
If you really loved me
Even if you had true affection towards me
You just didn't love me
You simply did not have love for me
Cause I know of hundreds of times I could be
I am aware of numerous situations in which I could be
In the most unfaithful arms that you always picture me
In the arms of someone who is not loyal, as you often imagine
Well maybe you'll remember
Maybe you will recall
That though I can't always show proof I was true
Despite not always having evidence to prove my loyalty
No one else could change my mind or stop me coming home to you
No one could alter my thoughts or prevent me from returning to you
But those days are through
However, those times have come to an end
Enough to believe me
Sufficient to have faith in me
Enough not to leave me
Enough to not abandon me
Oh, enough not to look for reason to be unhappy with me
Enough to not seek justification to be dissatisfied with me
And make me regret ever wanting you
And cause me to lament ever desiring you
Chorus: x2
Repeats the previous lines
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TODD RUNDGREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind