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 Never Danced to a Love Song
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, baby, and sit down
We've been dancing all night long
Come on, baby, get close to me
We never danced to a love song
Disco music is fine sometimes, yes, it is
I love music
No matter what the style
Ooh, I wanna get close to you, baby
For just a little while
And ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah
The party's almost over, ooh, it won't be long
I wanna dance to a love song
Cut the lights down low, ooh, it's almost time to go
I wanna dance to a love song
What a lovely way
Ooh, what a lovely way to end the night
When I hold
When I hold my baby ever so tight, well, well
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, you
Please Mr. Dj, slow the music down
I wanna dance to a love song
I wanna feel, ooh, I wanna feel your body next to mine
I wanna dance to a love song
Come on and just dance, dance, dance, dance
come on, come on and dance with me, girl, yeah
You know I wanna dance to a love song
You got to dance, dance, dance, dance
come on dance, come on and dance with me, girl
You know I wanna dance to a love song
Come on, baby, get real close to me
I wanna dance to a love song
I wanna feel, ooh, I wanna feel your body next to mine
You know I wanna dance to a love song, yeah
I wanna feel, you know I wanna feel your body next to mine
I wanna dance to a love song
You got to dance, dance, dance
dance, come on, come on dance with me, girl
You know I wanna dance to a love song, yeah
The Manhattans’ song “We Never Danced to a Love Song” is about a couple who have been dancing all night to disco music but have yet to dance to a love song. The singer requests the DJ to slow the music down, so he can dance with his partner to a love song. He persuades his partner to get close to him, and he wants to hold her tight and feel her body next to his. As the party comes to an end, the singer wants to end it on a high note, dancing to a love song with his partner.
The song is about the desire to be close to someone and about the magical feeling that comes with a slow dance to a love song. It's a romantic and sensual song that expresses the need for intimacy and closeness with a partner. The song speaks to a person's desire to switch from the fast life to a slower pace with someone they love. The lyrics and the music work together to create a mood that is both passionate and tender.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, baby, and sit down
Let's take a break from dancing and talk for a bit.
We've been dancing all night long
We've been having a good time dancing for hours.
Come on, baby, get close to me
Let's be intimate and physically closer to each other.
We never danced to a love song
We've been dancing to upbeat music, but we haven't danced to a romantic love song yet.
Disco music is fine sometimes, yes, it is
I don't dislike disco music, but I prefer dancing to a slow and romantic love song.
I wanna dance to a love song
I have the urge to dance to a slow and romantic love song.
I love music
I have a deep appreciation for music and how it can make me feel.
No matter what the style
Regardless of the genre or style of music, I can appreciate and enjoy it.
Ooh, I wanna get close to you, baby
I have a desire to be physically close to you.
For just a little while
Even if it's just for a short time, I want to be close to you.
And ooh, yeah
I am feeling excited and enthusiastic about the prospect of dancing to a love song with you.
The party's almost over, ooh, it won't be long
The event is winding down and soon it will be time to leave.
Cut the lights down low, ooh, it's almost time to go
The lights are being lowered as a signal that it's time to wrap things up and leave.
What a lovely way
This is a beautiful and romantic way.
Ooh, what a lovely way to end the night
Ending the night with a slow and romantic love song is a beautiful and ideal way to finish the evening.
When I hold
When I am embracing and holding onto.
When I hold my baby ever so tight, well, well
Embracing you tightly is a comforting and loving feeling for me.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, you
Addressing and getting your attention.
Please Mr. Dj, slow the music down
Requesting the DJ to start playing slower and more romantic music.
I wanna dance to a love song
I want to dance to a slow and romantic love song with you.
I wanna feel, ooh, I wanna feel your body next to mine
I want to be physically close to you so that I can feel your body against mine.
Come on and just dance, dance, dance, dance
Encouraging and inviting you to dance with me.
come on, come on and dance with me, girl, yeah
Requesting and encouraging you to join me on the dance floor.
You know I wanna dance to a love song
I have made it clear that I want to dance to a slow and romantic love song with you.
You got to dance, dance, dance, dance
Encouraging and urging you to dance with me.
come on dance, come on and dance with me, girl
Inviting and encouraging you to dance with me.
I wanna feel, you know I wanna feel your body next to mine
I really want to be close to you and for our bodies to be touching each other while we dance.
You know I wanna dance to a love song, yeah
I have previously mentioned that I want to dance to a slow and romantic love song with you, and I still feel the same way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EDWARD JESSE BIVINS, GERALD ALSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sharon-ig1de
What an amazing voice!!
@karenclopton4974
One of my favorite Manhattans recording!
@billwebb3843
10/12/23 and still listening to one of my favorite songs that takes me back to my college days.
@Mimi2Y2BYAZPHIL
Pure unadulterated
SKILLS ,no auto tune needed!! YAAAAAAAS!!💜💫💥💯💯
@alexis-zn4qr
Anybody here in 2019? 🤔 this will always be one of the best types of music 😍😩
@Will-okaywill
Omg this song is still awesome !!!! 💖
@strongcloud28
That Gerald Alston could hold his own. One of the best lead singers ever!
@norisallamly4335
GREAT CLASSIC...!
❤🎶🎵
@MsMoody-tc6eg
This is my favorite song by them 🙌💙
@jessewilson9782
To a love song.