The band, fronted by Mary Davis, was initially famous for the hit "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" in 1980. In 1983, they joined forces with then new production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who went on to craft a string of R&B hits for the group, including "Just Be Good to Me," "Tell Me If You Still Care," "Borrowed Love," "No One's Gonna Love You," "Just the Way You Like It," and "The Finest".
The Jam-Lewis-produced SOS Band hits are notable for popularizing the use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine (and its distinctive cowbell sound) in popular music. The group continues to tour and perform to this day.
The song "Just Be Good to Me" was covered by Beats International (aka Norman Cook or Fatboy Slim); the resultant song made its way to UK number one single as "Dub Be Good to Me." The song was reworked with the bass line of The Clash's "Guns of Brixton." It was also covered by Shayne Ward on his album, Breathless. Also, the song "Tell Me If You Still Care" was covered in 1995 by fellow Atlanta native Monica on her debut album Miss Thang and sampled by Janet Jackson in her hit "Call On Me. The Bingoboys performed a cover of "Borrowed Love" as the follow-up single to their 1991 dance hit "How to Dance."
Lead vocalist Mary Davis left the group in 1987 to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Chandra Currelley beginning with the band's 1989 Diamonds in the Raw album. More recently, Currelley has been active as an actress and vocalist in Tyler Perry plays and films. When Davis’s solo career was not a successful as hoped, she reunited with the band in 1994.
Open Letter
The S.O.S. Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one answered, you weren't at home
I sent a letter but it came back
Address unknown, now I'm writing you this song
Open letter
I gotta get my message through
Open letter
Open letter
I gotta get my message through
Open letter
That's why I'm singing this song to you
Love is waiting in the dark
Life is filled with question marks
And all that you can satisfy, my life
Won't you take a chance to answer this
Open letter
I gotta get my message through
Open letter
That's why I'm singing this song to you
Open letter
I gotta get my message through
Trying to tell you
I still need a fortune and...
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message through
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message to you
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message through
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message to you
(I tried to call you)
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message through
(But you were never home)
(I sent a letter)
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message to you
(It came back, address unknown)
(Oh, baby)
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message through
(Oh, baby)
Gotta get my message
(Won't you call)
Gotta get my message
Gotta get my message to you
(Yeah, baby)
The lyrics to The S.O.S. Band's "Open Letter" speak to a sense of desperation and longing for love that is just out of reach. The singer has tried multiple ways to reach out to their love interest, but none have been successful, and so they turn to writing this open letter. The theme of communication and the singer's attempt to reach out to the person they love is clear throughout the song.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is frustrated by the lack of response they have received from their love interest, and they are seeking some sort of answer or acknowledgement. The lines "Love is waiting in the dark, Life is filled with question marks" emphasize the uncertain nature of the situation and add to the feeling of desperation that the singer is experiencing. Despite this uncertainty, the singer is still hopeful and determined to reach out to their love interest, as evidenced in the chorus.
Overall, the lyrics to "Open Letter" convey a sense of longing and desperation that comes with unrequited love. The singer is putting their heart on the line and attempting to reach out to someone who seems just out of reach, and the song is a reflection of this struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Tried to call you on the phone
I attempted to contact you via telephone
No one answered, you weren't at home
You did not pick up the phone, which means you were not available at the time of the call
I sent a letter but it came back
I attempted to reach you through mail, but the letter was returned
Address unknown, now I'm writing you this song
The letter was returned because the address was not recognized, so now I have to communicate my message through the lyrics of this song
Open letter
This is an open letter, meaning it is not confidential and can be read by anyone
I gotta get my message through
I have to successfully communicate my intended message to you
That's why I'm singing this song to you
I am using this song as a way to convey my message
Love is waiting in the dark
There are opportunities for love available, but they are currently not in the open
Life is filled with question marks
The unpredictable nature of life makes it difficult to know what the future holds
And all that you can satisfy, my life
You are the missing piece that would make my life complete
Won't you take a chance to answer this
Could you please take the risk to respond to my message?
Trying to tell you
My goal is to make sure you understand my message
I still need a fortune and...
I need good luck or a positive turn of events in my life
Oh, baby
A term of endearment towards the recipient of the message
Gotta get my message
My message is important and I must communicate it effectively
(I tried to call you)
I want to emphasize that I have already tried reaching out to you
(But you were never home)
You have not been available to receive my calls
(I sent a letter)
I have already exhausted other methods of communication
(It came back, address unknown)
Even the letter sent through mail did not reach you due to an unrecognized address
(Oh, baby)
A term of endearment towards the recipient of the message
(Won't you call)
I am urging you to respond to my attempts to contact you
(Yeah, baby)
Another term of endearment towards the recipient of the message
Contributed by Jacob O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vernonmckethan8686
One of SOS best jams..still sounds soon good even after 30 yes and still relative today.Thanks for the good times SOS BAND
@cwash2005
I can listen to this jam all day long.
@oliverecords8524
I have this album on vinyl, I cherish it, tenderly, mwaa.
@isaakgarcia719
oliverecords me 2
@mariannecavazos
Me 3..I have it..
@marphilli
I've been looking for this song forever! Thanks so much for posting. :)
@randykitts1768
takes me back,gotta love em
@InfiniteP
this song brings back such good memories
@smookpapa
This group is underappreciated but they are still da sh........... tru dat
@isaakgarcia719
Classic