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.
Voice Your Choice
The Radiants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Voice your choice
Voice your choice
Tell me who do you love
Am I the one, oh
That you're thinkin' of
You know you look so good
For just one girl
Yeah, to be so fine
You've got all the boys
Standing in line
Tell me who do you love, girl
Make up your mind
Make up your mind
Voice your choice
Tell me who do you love
Am I the one, oh
That you're thinkin' of
You know Jim, he's sincere
Oh, and Joe, he's fun
Johnny's nice, yeah, but is he the one?
Then there's me, who's last but not least
So come on now, girl, and speak your piece
Speak your piece
Voice your choice
Ooh, tell me who do you love
Voice your choice
Ah, girl, yeah
Voice your choice
Ooh, girl, yeah
Tell me, girl, what you're gonna do
And tell me what I am trying to prove
Girl you don't need two, no when one will do
So come on now, say it's me and you
Me and you
Voice your choice
Ooh, tell me who do you love
Voice your choice
Ah, girl, yeah
Voice your choice
Ah, girl, yeah
Voice your choice
The Radiants' song "Voice Your Choice" is a plea to a girl to choose who she loves. The chorus repeats the phrase "Voice your choice" and asks the girl to make up her mind and choose between the singer and other potential suitors. The verses describe the other boys who are vying for the girl's attention, and the singer asks the girl to consider his sincerity, his fun nature, and the fact that he is "last but not least" in the line. The song ends with a final plea for the girl to choose the singer and to "voice your choice."
The lyrics of "Voice Your Choice" demonstrate a common theme in 1950s and 1960s R&B and doo-wop music: the struggle for male attention and the importance of being chosen by a desirable man. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a fun, danceable track, but the lyrics reveal a deeper longing for affirmation and romantic fulfillment. The Radiants' vocal harmonies and rhythm section create a tight, energetic sound that highlights the song's catchy melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Voice your choice
Make a decision and speak up
Voice your choice
Make a decision and speak up
Voice your choice
Make a decision and speak up
Tell me who do you love
Express your affection towards someone
Am I the one, oh
Am I the person you're thinking about
That you're thinkin' of
Are you thinking about me
You know you look so good
You're attractive
Oh, it's really a crime
It's unfair how good-looking you are
For just one girl
There are many guys interested in you
Yeah, to be so fine
You're very attractive
You've got all the boys
All the boys are interested in you
Standing in line
They're waiting for their turn with you
Make up your mind
Come to a decision
You know Jim, he's sincere
Jim is a genuine guy
Oh, and Joe, he's fun
Joe is a fun guy
Johnny's nice, yeah, but is he the one?
Johnny is a nice guy, but is he the right one for you
Then there's me, who's last but not least
I'm the last option, but not to be overlooked
So come on now, girl, and speak your piece
Say what's on your mind
Tell me, girl, what you're gonna do
What decision have you made
And tell me what I am trying to prove
What do I need to prove to you
Girl you don't need two, no when one will do
You don't need to choose between multiple guys when you only need one
So come on now, say it's me and you
Choose me as your partner
Ah, girl, yeah
Express excitement and anticipation
Ooh, tell me who do you love
Who is your preferred partner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GERALD SIMS, MAURICE MCALISTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rhondamcsane7590
Still sounding good and making me feel good in this year 2022 💕
@geraldjohnson4013
Thank you Herb Kent the Cool Gent and Richard Pegue, two Chicago DJ legends for making my first seven years back in Chicago far sweeter for me with music like this. I had a lot difficulty my first seven years back home. Thank you.
@fredicagoillanoise1309
Professor Richard Pegue actually put me up on this gem during his Saturday Night shows on WGCI 107.5 FM during the 80s. I would stay up all night Saturdays recording Mr. Pegue on my JVC boombox then go with my Pops to JewTown on Sunday morning and polishes and fries on Maxwell Street!! Man I miss those times...RIP to my Pops and Richard Pegue.
@glannapolisteam8681
I first heard this on an Oldies Station around 1974. It was automated so they didn't tell who the artist was. For awhile I thought it was the Impressions. They definitely have that sound - complete with traded off leads. Very, very nice record!
@bossteamentertainment6836
Nice to hear my Pops. Rest in Peace Dad. ❤Pooter
@rudieloraine
Great group. I bought this as soon as I heard it. Which one was your Dad?
@bossteamentertainment6836
@@rudieloraine Maurice McAlister. He also wrote a song for Etta James titled 'Only Time Will Tell' that was featured in the Jennifer Lopez film 'Angel Eyes'. There is a clip of Etta performing the song on YouTube on a show titled 'The Beat!!!' The Radiants also perform Voice Your Choice, Shotgun, You've Been Cheating and You Got It Baby. You'll find some other well known artists on that show as well!❤️
@rollerchickable
I LOVE THIS SONG THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
@RickRox75
Chicago's The Radiants released Voice Your Choice in 1964. Northern Soul classic
@miketheshanmanmangan
I worked as a Goffer for MURRAY THE K at WINS New York in 1964 and when we ran two records a night to see which would become THE BOSS RECORD of the week we used this as an intro each hour while doing results.GREAT SONG from Maurice McCallister & The Radiants!