Chess followed with "Heartbreak Society," then in 1963, Chess released "Shy Guy" and "I Gotta Dance to Keep My Baby." All were hit-sounding pieces of wax that failed to sell, probably because of poor promotion. On "Shy Guy," Frank McCollum replaced McLauren Green, who got drafted. By 1964, the Radiants were tripping all over themselves. They had problems galore — so much so that they broke up. Maurice McCallister and Wallace Sampson were the only survivors. In came Leonard Caston, Jr., the organist at Greater Harvest Church, who had just gotten out of the Army. A new Radiants group was formed, this time as a trio: McCallister, Sampson, and Caston. McCallister also wrote for other Chess/Checker artists, penning "Soulful Dress" for Sugar Pie DeSanto.
"Voice Your Choice," released late in 1964, is their most popular recording. They duplicated the Impressions' three-part harmony and lead-switching style to perfection. It reached number 51 (pop) and number 16 (R&B) on Billboard. Chess followed with "Ain't No Big Thing," which slipped the pop charts, only reaching number 91, but did better on the R&B charts, reaching number 14. Again, they displayed some beautiful three-part harmonies, with McCallister and Caston switching off leads.
In 1965, Caston left the group to concentrate on songwriting and producing. James Jameson replaced him and appeared on "Baby You Got It" — but the plot thickens: McCallister left shortly after its release. This should have ended the Radiants, but it didn't. Another group, the Confessions, led by Mitchell Bullock, had already recorded "Don't It Make You Feel Kinda Bad," but disbanded before Chess could release it. Billy Davis put Bullock with Sampson and Jameson, and added Victor Caston, Leonard's younger brother, and the Radiants were a quartet again. Chess put out the same record the Confessions had previously recorded, and stamped the Radiants on the label.
Who would know the difference? The record was an emotionally sung wailer but failed to dent the pop chart and only achieved number 47 on the national R&B chart, though it did well where played. "Hold On" did better, climbing to number 68 pop and number 35 R&B in 1968. By this time, their productions were handled by Leonard Caston and later Bobby Miller. Unfortunately, they didn't have any more chart entries and left Chess in 1969, breaking up in 1972.
McCallister went on to record duets with former Radiant McLauren Green as Maurice & Mac. "You Left the Water Running" by the two is considered a deep soul classic. Though the Radiants were popular in the Midwest and other areas, Chess never released an album by the group. A few of their cuts can be found on compilation CDs. Chess released ten or 15 singles of the group. Many of their early singles were two-sided hits. "I'm in Love," the flip of "Shy Guy," received quite a bit of airplay, as did "Noble the Bargain Man," the B-side of "I Gotta Dance to Keep My Baby." The latter was written by McCallister and David Clowney aka Dave "Baby" Cortez; you can hear his trademark organ on the recording, driving the rhythm section.
Some of the disc jockeys in Cleveland referred to McCallister as Jimmy Durante, because he resembled the inka dinka doo man, a little guy with a big nose, but he could sing and write with the best of them and deserved more.
Ain't No Big Thing
The Radiants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
Oh, I got a feeling
That I am losing you
But what's the use
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
Run on little girl
Run on your merry way
Don't forget Everyone,
everyone has his day
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
Ain't no big thing
I won't try to hold you
I guess you made up your mind
What good would it do
I'd only be wasting my time
Run on little girl
Run on your merry way
But don't forget
Everyone, everyone has his day
Ain't no big thing
(Run on, run on, run on little girl)
Ain't no big thing
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Ain't no big thing
(Run on, run on little girl)
Ain't no big thing
(I don't want you no more, baby)
Ain't no big thing Ain't no big thing
.
The Radiants' song "Ain't No Big Thing" is a heart-wrenching ode to a love in decline, with a steadfast resolve to accept and move on. The title is repeated throughout the song, driving home the message that the relationship is not worth holding onto, and that the singer would rather let go than fight for something that is already slipping away. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation, with the singer acknowledging that they are powerless to change the situation, and that their lover has already made up their mind. The verse "But what's the use, Why worry, when there's nothing I can do" sums up this sentiment effectively.
The chorus "Run on little girl, Run on your merry way, Don't forget Everyone, everyone has his day" suggests that the singer is resigned to the fact that their lover will eventually leave, and that they are better off letting them go rather than trying to hold onto something that is meant to be fleeting. The line "Everyone, everyone has his day" could be interpreted in two ways - one, as a warning to the lover that their time will come too, and two, as a comforting thought that the singer will eventually find love again.
Overall, "Ain't No Big Thing" is a poignant and honest look at the end of a relationship, and the emotional toll it takes on both parties. It is a testament to The Radiants' ability to convey complex feelings with simple yet effective lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
Oh, I got a feeling
I have a sense
That I am losing you
You're slipping away from me
But what's the use
What's the point
Why worry, when there's nothing I can do
There's no need to be anxious if there's no solution
Run on little girl
Keep going, young lady
Run on your merry way
Continue joyfully down your path
Don't forget Everyone,
Remember, everybody
everyone has his day
Everyone has their moment
I won't try to hold you
I won't try to keep you
I guess you made up your mind
I suppose you've made a decision
What good would it do
What benefit would it provide
I'd only be wasting my time
I would only be using my time inefficiently
Run on little girl
Keep going, young lady
Run on your merry way
Continue joyfully down your path
But don't forget
But remember
Everyone, everyone has his day
Everyone has their moment
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
(Run on, run on, run on little girl)
(Keep going, keep going, keep going, young lady)
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
(Run on, run on little girl)
(Keep going, keep going, young lady)
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
(I don't want you no more, baby)
(I no longer want you, baby)
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
Ain't no big thing
It's not a big deal
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@greggcaley319
I live in Montana. This was a dream of mine since I was ten years old. To live in a log home by the river. The good and gracious Lord gave me the dreams of my heart. I got married to a gal I had known since seventh grade. We moved here in Montana and then my wife walked out. Such a broken heart I have now. I truly, truly tell you with all honesty and sincerity if not for the oldies and my deep love of God I think I would be dead. Thank you so much for posting these oldies many of which I have never heard.
@ernestv94
My mom would bump this when I was growing up its been two hard years with out. Her but im surviving i love you and miss you rip mom
@angelchavez458
Pull up khaki tighten up that belt step on for the love who gave all for us who were to young to know better now we know better pass it on to the young who are our future respect and blessings 🙏
@cindyruiz7434
May I ask did your mom have christ in her life ..come in peace 🙏
@jimmycampos3435
I get emotional for days since 2011 every now and then. My mom's was my greatest love, my best friend, my go to person. R.I.P. MOMS WE ALL MISS U EVERY DAY
@isaaccuriel7065
🙏🙏🙏💯💯💯
@edwardomartinez3333
Your mom had great taste in music, may she Rest In Peace and hope your doing good. God bless
@dennisfan83
man what a song!!!! never ever get tired of listining to this. thanks so much for putting this up........
@petewood3211
Never get tired of this song. Should have been a #1 hit.
@carlosb6301
It's a # 1 to me...