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.
Wish That You Were Mine
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here we are again sipping our drinks just like friends
I wonder if they see the sparkle in your eyes
I wonder if they know that I am not your guy, hmm-hmm
I wonder if they see that you don't belong to me
Wish that you could be mine
Mine, all mine, hmm
It'll be hard for him to understand
I am his friend and he is your man
I wonder what my lady would say
If she knew I met you everyday, mmm-hmm
Sooner or later, don't you know
They're gonna find out and they're haters
Oh, I wish that you could be mine
Mine, all mine, hmm
It's 2 AM the place is gonna close
The bartender looks as though he knows
Everybody's, everybody's made it home
Here we sit again all alone, hmm-hmm
I've gotta get up at eight
Don't you know I've got to explain why I'm so late, mmm
I wish I didn't have to go home
Woah-oh, woah-oh, go home
I wish that you were mine baby
Oh, I'd give you the world
And every little thing your little heart desires, mmm
My, my, my, yeah, yeah
It'll be hard, so hard for him to understand
I am his friend and don't you know he is your man
I wonder what, I wonder what my lady would say
If she knew, I met you everyday
Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah
The song "Wish That You Were Mine" by The Manhattans is a tale of unrequited love between two friends. The male narrator and the female subject of his affection have a routine of meeting at the same table in a bar every day, sipping drinks together and indulging in conversation. However, the man cannot fully declare his love as the woman is already in a committed relationship with his friend.
The singer wonders if anyone else around them sees the silent affection and longing glances that are exchanged between them. He ponders whether the woman's partner knows the real extent of their relationship. The song highlights the frustration and pain of being unable to express one's true feelings and the fear of what might ensue if these feelings are brought to light. The male narrator is conflicted between his loyalty to his friend and his love for the woman.
In the end, the singer has to reluctantly leave the bar as it's closing time, wishing that he didn't have to go home and leave the woman he loves behind. The song ends on a wistful note, with the singer expressing his desire to give the woman the world if only he could have her for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiter? Could we have the same table we had yesterday?
The singer wants to spend time with the person they are interested in.
Here we are again sipping our drinks just like friends
The singer is spending time with the person they are interested in but is pretending to be just friends.
I wonder if they see the sparkle in your eyes
The singer thinks the person they are interested in may be showing signs they are interested too.
I wonder if they know that I am not your guy, hmm-hmm
The artist is not romantically involved with the person they are interested in.
I wonder if they see that you don't belong to me
The artist thinks others may recognize that the person they are interested in is not theirs.
Wish that you could be mine
The singer wishes they were in a romantic relationship with the person they are interested in.
It'll be hard for him to understand
The singer thinks the person they are interested in is already in a relationship.
I am his friend and he is your man
The person the artist is interested in is dating their friend.
I wonder what my lady would say
The artist wonders how their own significant other would react to their behavior.
If she knew I met you everyday, mmm-hmm
The artist is hiding their meetings with the person they are interested in from their significant other.
Sooner or later, don't you know / They're gonna find out and they're haters
The singer thinks their relationship with the person they are interested in will be criticized when others find out.
It's 2 AM the place is gonna close
The artist and the person they are interested in have been spending time together late into the night.
The bartender looks as though he knows
The singer thinks the bartender can tell that they are interested in the person they are with.
Here we sit again all alone, hmm-hmm
The singer and the person they are interested in are alone together again.
I've gotta get up at eight / Don't you know I've got to explain why I'm so late, mmm
The singer is worried about their significant other questioning why they were out so late.
I wish I didn't have to go home
The artist doesn't want to leave the person they are interested in.
Woah-oh, woah-oh, go home / I wish that you were mine baby / Oh, I'd give you the world / And every little thing your little heart desires, mmm / My, my, my, yeah, yeah
The artist wants to be in a romantic relationship with the person they are interested in and would do anything to make them happy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Winfred Lovett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Terryman1960
As a Pastor I hate everything this song stands for, but as a man who loves the Manhattans and Gerald Alston's beautiful voice, this is a beautifully sung song. Tight harmonies, beautiful voices. Where are these voices today?
@angieaunaturale8967
I love when Gerald Alston sings " All minnneeee" and the horns seem to echo him in the same melody!This song is just intoxicating!!! 🎶🎵🎺🎺🎹🎤
@tview7
Yes! Stank face n hands in da air😊
@terrywilliams6357
Yes it is
@orenthealmathis7092
My dad always told me that this was real music when I was 8 years old and now I'm 41 and I don't play nothing but old school thank you dad wish you was here right now 😢😢😢
@shanteldickenson4807
Classic jam
@aaronnava5447
Head up brother. He's with you within every measure of this kinda music. Keep pushing!
@Bo55edup
🙏
@ARTHURPARISH
Here we are once again .
@saliyarabi
may he rest in peace